In the 1950s and ‘60s, thirteen female pilots, known as the "Mercury 13," applied to become astronauts. Susan Ericksen performs this compelling account of their attempt to join the U.S. space program, expertly integrating conversational narrative, compelling quotations, and contrasting viewpoints. Ericksen increases her pace while describing the rigorous water and airborne survival tests experienced by the women and injects a tone of pride when reporting their superior psychological and physiological performance. Ericksen's sassy attitude portrays the Mercury 13's resistance to the scorn and prejudice voiced by leaders like President Johnson and astronaut John Glenn. Indeed, none of them made it into the space program—at best, they were viewed as having “the right stuff at the wrong time.” The book’s last chapter recounts women’s later successes in the field of aeronautics, and Ericksen delivers these with passion.
Ages 10+Pub Date: Nov. 20, 2009
Duration: 4 hrs
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ken Coleman's expertise as a baseball announcer enriches this history of the Boston Red Sox since the sale of Babe Ruth to the N.Y. Yankees. He leads off with a grim account of this transaction, which started the curse that has plagued the Red Sox ever since. The sermon-like tone will amuse non-believers and comfort listeners who are certain the team is cursed. Like the ups and downs of Boston's play through the years, the narrator's voice fluctuates--exuberant and then despondent--in tone and tempo accurately reflecting the mood of any given baseball season. The narrator is very successful at conveying the emotional roller coaster ride Red Sox fans have endured as a result of the curse of the Bambino.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A fresh, dynamic interpretation of Woodson's poetry.
Woodson originally narrated her memoir in 2014, and this updated production features a lively chorus of voices, a new bonus chapter, and testimonies about the legacy of Brown Girl Dreaming. The audiobook opens with spare guitar music, and Woodson narrates her new, emotion-filled introduction. The chorus—Denée Benton, Marley Dias, Dominique Fishback, Big Freedia, Montego Glover, Nicole Ari Parker, Tika Sumpter, and Lena Waithe—then jumps in, each contributor delivering one poem and passing the mic to another voice for the next. The variety of voices adds a little spice, as their narration styles are very different from one another. Snappy musical interludes by Toshi Reagon feature before each section.
A fresh, dynamic interpretation of Woodson's poetry. (Memoir/poetry. 8-12)Pub Date: May 12, 2026
Duration: 4 hrs, 11 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217175611
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: May 22, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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