Picture it: In mid-August, 1958, 57 jazz musicians gather in front of a Harlem brownstone for an epic photograph. And for a story that is, at its roots, a visual tale. Narrator Robin Miles delivers Orgill’s collection of poems describing this day with a passion that paints the picture for listeners. Miles brings each unique personality to light, notably Thelonius Monk and Count Basie. The masterful characterizations and deliberate pacing of the poetry by Miles add a touch of magic to this historical account. A thorough author’s note with mini-biographies on each jazz great in the picture rounds out this lyrical masterpiece. That being said, listener’s won’t want to miss Francis Vallejo’s vibrant, playful illustrations, which show the preparations to the actual picture taking by designer Art Kane on that day.
(Poetry. 8-13)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2017
Duration: 58 mins
DD ISBN: 9781501949531
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Mirai's renderings of Kestrel, her family, and fellow workers at the institute thoughtfully depict the protagonists' growth.
Kestrel and her mother leave the home in California they share with Kestrel's grandfather, a pastor, to stay at a wildlife conservation institute in Montana. Narrator Mirai's youthful voice is a natural fit for this story of a young girl who at first resents being tricked into leaving California, but who later comes to realize that moving away from their strict home life was the right choice. Mirai employs distinctive voices for the adults, like Kestrel's stern grandfather and her uncertain mother, who begins gaining confidence. An author's note at the end discusses emotional abuse and how to find help.
Mirai's renderings of Kestrel, her family, and fellow workers at the institute thoughtfully depict the protagonists' growth. (Verse fiction. 9-14)Pub Date: May 26, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 42 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668175507
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: July 14, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
A gutsy coming-of-age story that never runs out of gas.
Mehr Dudeja brings 12-year-old motocross daredevil Eva to life with thrilling verve. Wearing the helmet, she’s Eva Knievel, fearlessly tearing up dirt tracks; at middle school, she hides behind a mask of quiet anonymity, keeping her racing life secret after brutal bullying forces her into hiding. When a new moto girl arrives at school, Eva’s careful wall between her two selves starts to crack, just as a bad crash exposes the financial, physical, and emotional costs of her dirt-biking dreams. Dudeja voices the bike’s roars and revs with gleeful precision, and her performance captures a tween spitfire who’s always bursting with energy or bracing for the next fall.
A gutsy coming-of-age story that never runs out of gas. (Verse fiction. 10-13)Pub Date: May 19, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 20 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217342266
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: July 14, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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