Kirby Heyborne narrates this mystery/ghost story in the voice of Denis Egan, who was 7 when he disappeared and was found dead miles away. That was five years ago. Heyborne is a believable Denis as he decides to leave "Port Haven" to confront his twin brother so they can both move on. Heyborne also gives the other characters unique voices that bring them to life. The anger and sorrow in his brother Matt's voice is realistic and often heartrending. The grief and guilt of the brothers' parents is also palpable. GeeGee, Denis's great-grandmother and mentor in Port Haven, guides him in a believable elderly voice as she recounts family history, and the characters One-Eye and Sandbag sound appropriately scary and menacing. The story's twist at the end is satisfying.
(Mystery/ghost story. 10-13)Pub Date: July 24, 2018
Duration: 8 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780062841872
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Live Oak Media recently caught our attention with this new read-along book and cassette program. We listened first, and were so delighted we couldn't wait to get the book. The picture book made the experience even better, but the audio recordings was strong and vibrant by itself. THE GARDENER, Sarah Stewart's Depression-era story of a young girl sent to live with her Uncle Jim in the city has a sweet, wistful quality with narration alone, but coupled with David Small's soft-edged pencil illustration, it's a total delight. The reading is repeated on both sides of the tape, one with and without page-turning signals.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: N/A
Publisher: Live Oak Media
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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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