Narrator Rachel Botchan irresistibly portrays 11-year-old Miriam Brockman and her family, who move from Manhattan to upstate New York to run a motel. As Miriam is doing her chores, she meets the Whitleys--including granddaughter Kate--who run a nearby diner. Jewish Miriam and Catholic Kate become fast friends who team up to help faltering businesses. As the girls learn about each other's religion, including the Brockmans' Shabbat prayers, Botchan is at her finest. When anti-Semitism rears its ugly head, the families fight back, and everyone benefits. This coming-of-age story, rich with appealing characters and situations, is a wonderful listening experience for those of all ages.
(Fiction. 8-10)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2020
Duration: 4 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Swayam Bhatia helps listeners imagine the feisty spirit of North Indian Simi Singh, a 12-year-old who meets school and field hockey challenges handily. Bhatia reflects Simi's fear when threats come from a prejudiced classmate and the comfort she finds in her loving extended family. Bhatia depicts Simi's personality as her parents' interfaith Sikh-Muslim marriage puts the family's safety at risk, and they must flee the country. While Simi's father is successful at legally gaining entry to the U.S., Simi and her mother must attempt a perilous journey to enter from Mexico with coyotes. Amid mounting pressures, both Simi's fear and courage build. When she becomes separated from her mother, Bhatia depicts her resourcefulness and resilience, as well as the kindness of strangers.
(Fiction. 8-13)Pub Date: Aug. 5, 2025
Duration: 5 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781546176954
Publisher: Scholastic Audiobooks
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Christopher Gebauer narrates this story of Orthodox Jewish Ezra, the Chosen One, who has trained his whole life for two things: Yeshiva study and defeating a monster upon his bar mitzvah to ensure an age of peace. But strange events leading up to that fateful day make him question his mission. Gebauer excels at the indignant tones and youthful energy of preteen boys. Some of his Yiddish and Hebrew pronunciations seem noticeably off, like the word for Mom, "Ema." His Hebrew "ch" sounds in words like "Chorvos Hagoral" and "Chanukah" sound as forced. Adults and rabbinical elders are presented respectfully, yet they sound standoffish, which serves to make the listener sympathize with the desperation voiced by the youth as they ask to be listened to.
(Fantasy mystery. 8-14)Pub Date: July 22, 2025
Duration: 7 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798896793465
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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