Haunting music begins and ends this account of Caldecott Medal-winning author and illustrator Uri Shulevitz's childhood. His story is fittingly narrated with unhurried restraint by Fred Berman. Four-year-old Shulevitz and his family fled Warsaw for the Soviet Union when it became clear that Poland was no longer safe for Jews. Thus began a harrowing childhood spent running from one untenable place to another during WWII and after. Berman's Yiddish, sprinkled throughout the story, is convincing, and his clear, somber tones and measured cadence keep the terrors faced by Shulevitz from overwhelming young listeners. The episodic nature of the narrative makes it a good choice for family and classroom listening and discussion, especially at a time when education is needed regarding events of the Holocaust.
(Memoir. 10-14)Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2020
Duration: 3 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250759931
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
An engaging performance by Cary Hite enlivens this accessible history of basketball for young listeners, with a focus on the men's game and an "overtime" section devoted to the women's. Hite narrates with relish and an audible appreciation for the sport's evolution from a glorified game of hot potato to today's fast-paced competitions. Hite gives listeners a courtside view of hardwood feats from legendary ballers as they elevate the game with signature moves and lead the way forward for successive generations of players alongside crucial developments, such as the introduction of shot clocks and the Harlem Globetrotters' skillful, exciting play style. This informative production, paired with a warm and assured narration, has appeal for all ages.
(Nonfiction. 9-13)Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668654729
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Nekia Renee Martin guides listeners through a surprisingly comprehensive account of 19th-century African American resistance. Despite the title, the chronological territory covered ranges well beyond abolition and the Civil War to Reconstruction and the beginnings of Jim Crow. Martin's strong yet musical narration introduces youngsters to such touch points as the slave trade, the Underground Railroad, the Dred Scott decision, Black soldiers in the Union Army, the Freedmen's Bureau, and more. Kids will meet a panoply of notable Black individuals, including journalists, inventors, statesmen, and activists. There's so much information that the audiobook has a hodgepodge feel. Martin's steady cadence helps keep listeners oriented to this serviceable introduction to African American history.
(Nonfiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Dec. 9, 2025
Duration: 4 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217157105
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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