Rodman Philbrick takes us into the future to a time after "the big shake," whose destruction has left the world with urbs, stackboxes, gang leaders, flatness, and grayness revolving around Eden, the land of "improved persons." Spaz navigates his way through this existence and finds healing for his sister Bean's leukemia and purpose for himself, with the help and inspiration of Ryter, a gummy or geez, and Lanaya, a proov. Remembering and writing, ignorance and intelligence, leaders and followers, the past and the future are all issues for the listener's consideration in this unsettling and moving novel. Narrating through the eyes of Spaz, Jeremy Davies draws us "backtimers" into this new world deliberately and convincingly. As a teenager, Davies is understated; as a remarkable young girl, he speaks with flair; and as an ancient, he narrates with passion. The wind chills the spine as Davies delivers the final message. Listen and ponder our existence.
Ages 10+Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2001
Duration: 4 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A classic story of high adventure and conflict between good and evil placed in the mythical land of Prydain, The Book of Three is read grippingly and enchantingly by Chris King. Vocal switches are mostly smooth with a few minor pronunciation slips which are quickly corrected. King's voice is clear, easy to understand and memorable, giving the listener a sense of the characters as well as a pronunciation guide to those incredible Gaelic names Alexander uses. Both the characters and the story linger in the mind's eye because of the quality of narration. This is surely a reading that can be listened to again and again and will leave the listeners asking for the entire Prydain series on tape.
AGES 8+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 5 hrs
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Posy Bates is back, this time with a dog left over from a pet show. Back also are baby Fred and her friend, Sam. But the star of the show is Posy herself, an energetic nine-year-old with a penchant for misadventure. Judy Bennett's rendering of each of the characters in this episodic family story is right on the mark. Her enunciation and impeccable timing clarify the idiomatic text so that its unusual words become another aspect of the book's pleasure. The irrepressible Posy is her greatest challenge, and Bennett gets high marks. She bubbles with enthusiasm, wails and squeals, and dies over and over again. "It's positively brilling!"
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 1 hr
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Chivers
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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