Ivan Mok, Quyen Ngo, and a full cast narrate this award-winning 2020 graphic novel. Mok portrays 13-year-old English-speaking Tien, and Ngo portrays his mother, Helen, a Vietnamese refugee. Mok shows Tien's confusion as he crushes on a male classmate. Ngo conveys Helen's despair at losing her own mother and her longing for the past. Mother and son have always bridged language differences and found connection by reading fairy tales together, so it makes perfect sense that these actors' on-target depictions are interwoven with dramatic, beautifully rendered scenes from stories that resemble "The Little Mermaid," "Tattercoats," and others. Throughout, well-cued sound effects aid in setting scenes, while a superb musical score differentiates contemporary and fantasy settings.
(Fiction. 13-17)Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 1 hr, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217072811
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A full cast, backed by sound effects and music, transform this queer adaptation of Jane Austen's EMMA from the graphic novel to an audiobook. High school senior and Instagram influencer Evan, a leader in his high school's LGBTQ+ student association, sees himself as Cupid and can't resist the opportunity to set up shy and dowdy newcomer Natalia--despite the warnings of his best friend, Davi. Mark Sanderlin's age-appropriate voice projects Evan's emotions. The subplots are helped by the other cast members' ease with portraying their characters. Examples include André Santana's capable depiction of Davi's growing frustration and Shannon Tyo's high-pitched, fast-paced presentation of the chatterbox Anika.
(Graphic fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: 2024
Duration: 1 hr, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668644126
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Author and narrator Huda Fahmy's graphic novel is adapted into a very funny audiobook with a full cast, music, and sound effects. Fahmy's rich timbre distinguishes Huda, a good-hearted teen, from her three sisters as they share a family trip, driving from Michigan to Disney World. Fahmy delivers comical sarcasm as Huda chafes at her parents' insistence that she bond with her sisters and publicly practice her Muslim faith in an environment that's not conducive to either. Cartoon-style voices reveal Huda's amusing thoughts whenever she feels conflict between her responsibilities and her wants--which often win out. Aixa Kay is excellent as Huda's mom. Kay's accent reminds listeners that she is likely an immigrant, but her humorous words and wisdom are typical of many caring, protective moms.
(Graphic fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: 2024
Duration: 1 hr
DD ISBN: 9780593948729
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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