Traci Sorell re-creates the excitement of the 1911 World Series, which featured two Native Americans on opposing teams. Listeners meet New York Giants pitcher John Meyers and Philadelphia Athletics catcher Charles Bender. Meyers was from the Cahuilla tribe in California; Bender was from Minnesota's Ojibwe tribe. Sorell demonstrates how Meyers and Bender used their courage and wit to overcome attempts to destroy their heritage and waylay their talents. Spirited descriptions from baseball sportscasting showcase Sorell at her best. Especially realistic are the nasty taunts by teammates, fans, and even the NEW YORK TIMES. The men's stories include lively baseball benchmarks, including accounts of their Hall of Fame honors and combined total of nine championships.
(Informational picture book. 6-9)Pub Date: June 18, 2024
Duration: 19 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593663899
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A heavy subject, worthy of discussion.
Will Collyer brings to vivid life the fears and frustrations of young men facing challenging, life-and-death situations in a hostile environment. Fleming’s latest is based on her father’s experience in a WWII battle fought on an Aleutian island. Charlie Groth is a medic, easing pain and giving comfort while rescuing the wounded from the battlefield. In letters home, he expresses his love and homesickness, but he doesn’t share the realities of war, including dying soldiers and harsh living conditions. The journal of Japanese physician Paul Tatsuguchi gives voice to his struggles as he tries to balance his faith, his loyalty to his country, and his respect for the United States, where he became a doctor.
A heavy subject, worthy of discussion. (Nonfiction. 9-13)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2026
Duration: 3 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9798225079796
Publisher: Scholastic Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 13, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2026
Vega’s performance conveys strength and pride befitting this ode to the island and its people.
Jenyvette Vega narrates these poems, which chronicle Puerto Rico's struggle for self-determination. She shifts seamlessly between Spanish and English as listeners learn about the history of the flag and what it represents to the Puerto Rican people, as well as about key events in Puerto Rican history and the Puerto Rican diaspora. Vega reads at a gentle pace appropriate for young listeners. A preface provides background on Puerto Rico's relationship with the United States, and an included PDF details the history of the people and events portrayed in the poems.
Vega’s performance conveys strength and pride befitting this ode to the island and its people. (Picture book/poetry. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2026
Duration: 33 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063577176
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 1, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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