Narrators Soneela Nankani and Amin El Gamal deliver the alternating voices of the two narrators in this audiobook. Nankani shows the determination and intelligence of Indian-American Safiya, who courageously takes on the Islamophobia in her Chicago private high school. Safiya feels the privilege of the other students, scorn for being on scholarship, and the curious attention of a popular white classmate. El Gamal portrays Jwad Ali, an Iraqi refugee who is murdered early in the book. His voice is haunting as it reaches from the grave to urge Safiya to seek justice for his death despite mounting danger. At the conclusion of the fast-paced mystery, author Samira Ahmed adds a stirring note urging Americans to face the truth of "all we are."
(Thriller. 14-18)Pub Date: May 10, 2022
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781668604915
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Chin’s narration balances a dramatic, fast-moving plot with lush descriptions and poignant historical details.
Katharine Chin masterfully conveys the many tensions of Lucy’s story. Found in a canoe floating to Orcas Island off the coast of Washington state and raised by a kindly benefactor, Lucy has always wondered about her parents and her heritage. She’s planning on heading off to college to make a fresh start—until she comes upon her benefactor’s severed head and is named heir of his estate. Chin’s propulsive narration plunges listeners into Lucy’s search to solve the murder and uncover the secrets of her origin; explain her connection with animals, including orcas; determine whom she truly loves; and find her place in the world.
Chin’s narration balances a dramatic, fast-moving plot with lush descriptions and poignant historical details. (Historical mystery. 12-18)Pub Date: March 17, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 22 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668160121
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: April 7, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
But the dual narration works in the story, with its class-system clashes and race to find the truth.
Young’s YA thriller pits blue-collar locals (“Chasers”) against wealthy visitors (“the Collective”) in a coastal Florida community. Teens of both groups clash, though Jamie and Noa find themselves embroiled in what turns out to be a murder mystery involving their relatives. Ali Andre Ali and Kimberly Woods perform Jamie and Noa’s narratives. Ali in particular captures the assortment of characters well, with a good mix of voices on both sides of the Chaser/Collective divide. Woods has a very young-sounding voice, and she doesn’t distinguish between older and younger characters as deftly.
But the dual narration works in the story, with its class-system clashes and race to find the truth. (Thriller. 13-18)Pub Date: Feb. 24, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 25 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668160039
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: May 26, 2026
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