Audiobook All-Time Favorites #2: Ghost

 If you're looking for a really great audiobook, the kind of read that makes you glad you chose to listen because the narration really adds so much to the story, it's time for my next audiobook all-time favorite: 

Ghost by Jason Reynolds, narrated by Guy Lockard. Simon & Schuster Audio, 2016. 3 hours 29 minutes. Sequels: Patina (narrated by Heather Alicia Simms), Sunny & Lu (both also narrated by Guy Lockard)

If you've read anything by Jason Reynolds, you know that he's a master of voice. His characters leap off the page and tell you their stories in completely believable voices. So he's a natural fit for audiobooks and this series is one of my favorites. Each volume in the Track series stands alone, focusing on one member of an urban track team, a group of kids with very little in common except their sport and their dedication to the team. 

In this first volume, Castle Crenshaw (or Ghost, as he wants to be called) knows he can run fast. He knows because when his dad came at him and his mother on one violent night, running was the only way to get away. Life hasn't been super kind to Ghost - the kids at school make fun of him because he's poor and he carries around the weight of his father's betrayal. When Ghost stumbles onto a local track team and decides to show them a thing or two (they think they can run?!), Coach takes him into the fold. Suddenly, Ghost starts to know what it's like to be part of something bigger than yourself, to have a strong male role model who really cares about him, to work at something and get better and feel proud. But to stay on the track team, Ghost is going to have to steer clear of what his mom calls "altercations", which means keeping his temper when the other kids are giving him a hard time. Could Ghost's bad decisions take away his track star dreams forever?

This series is sure to be a hit with young athletes, but I am far from an athlete and I found myself absolutely drawn in by the compelling characters. I loved learning their stories, particularly in the volumes narrated by Guy Lockard. Lockard reads with a vibrancy that really brings each character to life. Jason Reynolds and Guy Lockard have been friends for decades, so Lockard is a natural fit for these audiobooks. He knows these characters and knows their cadences and how they should be portrayed and it absolutely comes through in his work. I think Sunny is my very favorite of the series, but they're all excellent stories. 

Are you an audiobook listener? Do you know about Libro.fm? Libro.fm is an audiobook platform with an amazing selection and the best thing about them is that they support independent bookstores. Use the code ABBYLIBRARIAN to get 2 credits for the price of 1 ($14.99) when you sign up for a new subscription. Independent bookstores need our help if we want them to stick around and this is one great way you can support them. 

This post is sponsored by Libro.fm and if you use the code ABBYLIBRARIAN to sign up for a subscription, you're supporting me, too! 

Audiobook All-Time Favorites #1: Leviathan

This post is sponsored by Libro.fm. If you use the promo code, I earn money. 

I have long been an audiobook listener, but reading during pandemic times has just solidified my love for reading with my ears. Lots of days, my audiobook listening is the only reading I'm managing to get in right now, between stress and brain fog and cooking so many meals and cleaning the kitchen so many times. 

I don't know if you are an audiobook listener yet, but if you are not, my aim is to convert you. I'm going to start featuring some of my very favorite audiobook reads here and encouraging you to support your local independent bookstores by purchasing them with Libro.fm. If you're new to Libro.fm, use the code ABBYLIBRARIAN to get 2 credits for the price of 1 ($14.99) and give this audiobook platform a try. They have an awesome selection and they support an independent bookstore of your choice with every purchase. 

Today's pick: 

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld, narrated by Alan Cumming. Simon & Schuster Audio, 2009. 8 hours, 16 minutes. Sequels (also expertly narrated by Alan Cumming): Behemoth (2010) and Goliath (2011). 

This is one of the audiobook series I always recommend when someone is open to genre but just wants something that's a REALLY GOOD LISTEN. 

Leviathan is a steampunk alternate history WWI story in which the Axis powers have developed massive war machines and the Allied powers have bioengineered living battleships. Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. Devyn Sharp has disguised herself as a boy to join the British Air Service and lives in constant fear of being discovered. Their paths cross and they begin a fantastic around-the-world adventure in this action-packed series. 

Alan Cumming is absolutely fantastic at accents in this fully-voiced production and he makes the story a pleasure to listen to. The world-building is amazing in this trilogy and it's the kind of story that you can really sink into and get transported into a really engaging alternate historical world. I was completely fascinated by the creative developments of each side of the war and how they engage with each other. 

I'd hand this series to middle school and high school listeners and I think it's fabulous for adults, as well. I'd try it on fans of Kenneth Oppel's Airborn series or Neal Schusterman's Scythe series for another immersive trilogy with really strong worldbuilding and unforgettable characters. 

Listen Up and Support Your Local Indies

This post is sponsored by Libro.fm.

I love audiobooks. I listen when I'm exercising, cleaning my house (the only way I can get myself to do it sometimes), and driving. Sometimes the bulk of my reading is happening through audiobooks and it's always awesome when I find audiobooks that are so good they motivate me to do the things I need to do so I can keep listening. 

My newest audiobook fixation is Libro.fm. Have you tried it? I love Libro.fm because they offer a great selection, they support librarians with their Audiobook Listening Copies program, AND they support independent bookstores with every purchase. 

If you're new to Libro.fm, use the promo code ABBYLIBRARIAN to get 2 credits for the price of 1. Monthly credits are $14.99/month and this code will give you 2 credits for that price instead of 1. This is my first ever promo code! It has my name in it! That's how much I am loving Libro.fm for audiobooks. 

You can stick with a monthly membership or you can also purchase individual audiobooks on Libro.fm. I used this to purchase several popular titles about race this summer when holds lists were at their peak. I didn't have to make a huge commitment but got quick access to the titles I wanted and supported a Black-owned bookstore. When you make your purchases (or when you're charged your monthly membership fee), the independent bookstore you chose receives half the profits. They partner with stores all over the country. 

Try it out and keep them in mind for the upcoming gift giving season. They offer gift memberships in a range of prices and with everything going on right now, even your most voracious print readers may need something a little different this year. 

Are you an audiobook listener? Have you tried Libro.fm? 

#MiddleGradeMay: The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora

Save the restaurant, save the world.

Okay, not really, but it feels that way to Arturo in The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya. Since before Arturo was born, his family has run their restaurant La Cocina de la Isla. La Cocina is a special place in a close-knit Latino neighborhood. Arturo's abuela knows every regular customer by name and it's a place where many in the community feel like family. Now, it's being threatened by a developer who wants to move in and build condos and destroy their neighborhood.

In addition to saving his restaurant, Arturo's trying to win over the girl of his dreams, his god-cousin Carmen who's come to visit for the summer after the death of her mom. She's into poetry and activism; how can Arturo get her attention? And he's starting his first kitchen job in the restaurant - not a prep chef like he'd imagined, but a dishwasher which is harder than it sounds!

It's a lot for one thirteen-year-old boy. Can Arturo make it work? Or will it all be an Epic Fail?

I don't know why I waited so long to pick up this book, but I'm so glad I did. It won a Pura Belpre honor, so that definitely tells you something. I fell in love with Arturo and his family and their neighborhood. This is a great story about the power of people to stand up to bigger, richer forces and defend their neighborhoods and their way of life. It introduces the concept of gentrification in a way that makes sense and really digs into the issues surrounding it. Arturo and the other kids in his family really take an active role, seeing the urgency in their situation even as others in his family want to pretend it's not happening to protect their ailing abuela from the devastating truth.

It's funny and it's serious, which is my favorite kind of contemporary story. I like to laugh AND cry.

I listened to the audiobook, which is read by the author and it's great. Pablo Cartaya is an actor, which makes sense since he reads really well and does voices for the characters. Audiobook is a great way to experience this book if you, like me, don't always know how the Spanish words should be pronounced. Or if you're just looking for a fun listen. This would be a great family listen for families with tweens, too.

Hand this one to activism-minded kids or kids who like realistic stories about kids making a difference in their communities.

Readalikes:

An oldie but a goodie: Hoot by Carl Hiaasen about a kid trying to save the burrowing owls in his Florida home from development, this is another book for kids who want to save the world.

The tone and characters of the book reminded me a lot of Gordon Korman, so maybe try Ungifted. And readers looking for stories about boys told with a mix of humor and serious subjects might like Ms. Bixby's Last Day by John David Anderson. 

For kids drawn to Arturo's experience in the kitchen and restaurant life, hand them All Four Stars by Tara Dairmen.

For kids looking for more stories about Latino families, try Enchanted Air by Margarita Engel, Stef Soto Taco Queen by Jennifer Torres, or Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar.

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya. Grades 5-9. Viking, 2017. 230 pages. Audiobook is 5 hours and 6 minutes. Review copy provided by my local library. 

#MiddleGradeMay: The Serpent's Secret

Oh, you Percy Jackson fans are so lucky. 2018 is your year. Because 2018 is the year that The Serpent's Secret (Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond #1) by Sayantani DasGupta came out, opening a brilliant new mythology series.

When Kiranmala's parents disappear on the morning of the 12th birthday (which also happens to be Halloween), the New Jersey tween doesn't think too much of it. Until a giant rakkhosh demon shows up at her house, thirsty for blood, and two handsome Indian princes arrive, announcing that they're here to save her. Kiran doesn't need saving - she handles the demon pretty well on her own, though it's not pretty - but she does need answers. What has happened to her parents? And how can she save them?

Kiran discovers that there is truth behind the magical stories her parents used to tell her. She is an Indian princess, she's been living under a magical spell that broke on her 12th birthday, and she'll have to journey through other dimensions, meeting all kinds of fabulous and horrifying creatures to try to get her parents back.

This series opener is a great readalike for Percy Jackson because it mixes action-packed adventure with a strong dose of humor. Although there are lots of fantasy-adventure-mythology series that have come out since Percy Jackson became so popular, this one stands out because I think the tone is very similar. Kiran is a smart, strong heroine who is up to the task of saving the world and young readers who enjoy fantasy adventure will clamor for the next books in the series.

I listened to the audiobook, which is read by the author. She reads with a ton of energy and singsong voices for the monsters that make the most out of the punny and slapstick humor. If sometimes her voice is a bit unpolished, it's made up for by the fact that I know she's pronouncing everything write and that she's an #ownvoices narrator telling her story. And for an author narrating, it's really very decent.

Readalikes:

Of course, hand this book to fans of Rick Riordan's many mythology series (Percy Jackson, Magnus Chase, etc.).

And you'll also want to hand it to fans of Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi (Disney-Hyperion, 2018), which also came out this year. (See? I told you Percy Jackson fans are hitting the jackpot this year!)

Readers interested in Indian mythology will also want to check out The Savage Fortress by Sarwat Chadda (Scholastic, 2013), although be warned that the only books one and two of the Ash Mistry series were published in the US.

The Serpent's Secret by Sayantani DasGupta. Grades 4-8. Scholastic, 2018. 368 pages. Audiobook from Scholastic Audio. 8 hrs. 14 minutes. Read by Sayantani DasGupta. Review copy provided by my local library. 

Seasons Readings

When I read the wonderful book Savvy by Ingrid Law, a book about a family with extraordinary powers they call savvies, I started imagining what my savvy would be, if I could choose. While it would be awesome to have a savvy that would give me some kind of superpowers, I thought I'd love to have the savvy of being able to pick up the exact right book for each moment in my life. Is there much more satisfying than finishing a book that was the exact perfect book for you to read at that time in your life?

When I look back on my reading memories, I can remember some books that were just perfect for the time I was reading them.

I remember listening to the audiobook of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo as I drove home from Chicago for the first time in late spring. I had the windows down and the smell of freshly turned fields in northern Indiana wafting through the car as I listened to this poignant adventure story.

I remember reading A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly when I had moved home after college and was still figuring out what I wanted to do with my life. Reading about a strong young woman figuring out her own life, despite all the hardships she faced, was just what I needed. And I was just beginning to discover the amazing world of children's and YA literature as I pondered over my first career steps and decided to apply to library school.

Last year, I was listening to the audiobook Ghost by Jason Reynolds as I was walking miles around my neighborhood in the heat of late summer, the perfect time to be reading a book about track (and so much more!).

Besides the events going on in your life, the seasons can also have a lot to do with creating those perfect reading moments. Do you have certain genres that you gravitate towards more in certain seasons? For me, I always get a craving for historical fiction in November as a chill sets in and the nights get long. And after Thanksgiving, as snow maybe starts to fall (iffy here in Southern Indiana!), I start picking up fantasy books. Once the new year begins, I'm more likely to branch out, to think about reading challenges and expanding my own horizons, to try something new or pick up that book that everyone's talking about that didn't seem like something I'd normally like.

As we head into these next few seasons, here are a few that I'm looking forward to picking up (or finishing!):

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (Grand Central, February 2017). This multigenerational family epic about a Korean family starting in the 1920s and spanning decades is right up my alley. I'm in the middle of it and really enjoying it. If you like character-centered books, historical fiction, and/or multigenerational stories, this is a great one.

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland (Balzer + Bray, April 2018). This alternate historical fiction about a zombie uprising during the Civil War is inspired by retelling like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, but asks hard questions about whose lives really matter in this country. I've started the very beginning of it and I'm hooked, y'all.

Ahimsa by Supriya Kelkar (Lee & Low, October 2017). From publisher summary: "In 1942, when Mahatma Gandhi asks Indians to give one family member to the freedom movement, ten-year-old Anjali is devastated to think of her father risking his life for the freedom struggle. But it turns out he isn't the one joining. Anjali's mother is... When Anjali's mother is jailed, Anjali must step out of her comfort zone to take over her mother's work, ensuring that her little part of the independence movement is completed."

La Belle Sauvage (The Book of Dust #1) by Philip Pullman (Knopf, October 2017). I have this book waiting on my shelves and as a huge fan of the His Dark Materials trilogy, I am eagerly looking forward to diving in!

Do you like to read certain genres during certain seasons? And what books do you associate strongly with certain moments in your life?

My Lady Jane

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows. Narrated by Katherine Kellgren. Grades 7+. HarperAudio. 13 hours 47 minutes. Review copy provided by publisher.

Take everything you thought you knew about King Edward and Jane Grey and throw it out the window. You've been told wrong. You don't have the whole story. And here it is, for the first time.

This is a wild romp through a reimagined Tudor England where a portion of the population can shape-shift into animals. A teenage King Edward sits reluctantly on the throne, dying of The Affliction. On his deathbed, he signs over the throne to his cousin, Jane Grey, a teenage girl who's recently been married to a nobleman's second son who turns out to be a horse (well, half the time, anyway).

Hi-jinx ensue as Jane, her husband Gifford, and Edward get caught up in a conspiracy to seize the throne.

My thoughts:

The tone of this book is similar to The Princess Bride and it's a wacky story that doesn't stop for a minute. There is a strong romance, but the action never goes farther than kissing (and occasionally contemplating consummation of the marriage, but never in detail), which makes it a good choice for younger teen readers or teens who like romance but aren't ready for hot and heavy action.

This is a book with a really strong feminist message wrapped up in a fun story. Jane stands up for herself, even as she's caught in a society that restricts her to certain roles. She's a bookish heroine to the extreme, even encouraging wedding guests to bring a book to the ceremony in case they get bored.

Fun and funny in its own right, the audiobook narration really elevates the story, Master narrator Katherine Kellgren gives a fully voiced performance for a large cast of characters with a wide variety of British accents. I especially appreciate Kellgren's mastery of volume as she reads - she is completely able to yell without getting shrill or blasting the listener out of their seats. I was literally laughing out loud as I was listening to this one, both due to the writing and the narration.

Readalikes: 

Definitely The Princess Bride by William Goldman for its similar wacky and adventurous tone.

Readers who liked reading about British royalty (even though a lot of it is imagined) might enjoy The Raucous Royals by Carlyn Beccia. And readers may be looking for books that will give them the real story of the Tudors, so keep nonfiction and other historical Tudor fiction in mind.

Audiobook Review: Ghost

Ghost by Jason Reynolds, narrated by Guy Lockard. Grades 5-7. Atheneum, 2016. 3 hours, 29 minutes. (192 pages.) Audiobook provided by my local library.

Booktalk:

Castle Crenshaw calls himself Ghost and he knows he can run fast. Unfortunately, he knows this because of a terrible night when his dad got drunk and violent and running fast was the only way to get away. Life hasn't been super kind to Ghost - the kids at school make fun of him because he's poor, and he carries around the weight of his father's betrayal.
One day, Ghost stumbles onto a local track team practicing near his neighborhood and starts to watch. Those kids think they're so fast, but Ghost knows he can leave them in the dust. And when he shows off for those kids, Coach is watching him and invites him to join the track team.

Ghost has never done anything like that before. And he's never had a strong guy in his life to show him the ropes. Suddenly, Ghost is learning what it's like to be on a team, to have a Coach who really cares about him, to work at something and get better and feel proud. To stay on the track team, Ghost will have to steer clear of what his mom calls "altercations", which is not going to be easy. When kids start running their mouths and saying stuff about him, Ghost can't keep calm, he has to fight back. But he'll have to really watch it to keep doing what he loves. And then Ghost makes a decision. A bad decision. A decision that could cost him his track star dreams. Will Ghost lose the best thing that has ever happened to him?

If you like realistic stories, especially if you're into sports, pick up Ghost. 

My thoughts:

Oh man, you guys. THIS VOICE!!! Jason Reynolds is a master of voice and dialogue. His characters jump off the page with their realness. I could completely and totally believe that Ghost was a real kid who was sitting down and telling me the story of his life. If you have readers who enjoy strong, well-written voice (me, me, me!), push this book into their hands.

The narration of the audiobook absolutely heightens the story, too. Guy Lockard brings out every ounce of humor and tension in the story. His fully voiced performance did justice to the strong voices of the characters in the book. The words and voice of Coach, a taxi-driving curmudgeon with a heart of gold, are still stuck in my head, weeks after listening to this audiobook.

This book was a finalist for the National Book Award and I'm expecting to see some more shiny stickers on it, come awards season.

Readalikes/Listen-alikes:

After I finished this audiobook, I immediately picked up Jason Reynolds's and Guy Lockard's other middle grade audiobook out this year, As Brave as You, which is also really good. Again, I think audio is the way to go with this title and Guy Lockard gives a masterful, fully-voiced performance.

For readers who love Ghost's strong voice, I would suggest other books with strongly-voiced characters: The Crossover by Kwame Alexander or Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage,

For readers who like the storyline of a kid dealing with Circumstances in the city, I would suggest Kinda Like Brothers by Coe Booth or Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri.

For readers looking for more sports stories, I would suggest The Crossover by Kwame Alexander (yes, again, I love this book!), Sasquatch in the Paint by Kareem Abdul-Jabar, or Izzy Barr, Running Star by Claudia Mills.

48 HBC Tip: Take Advantage of Audiobooks

As you know, this year's 48 Hour Book Challenge takes place this weekend (June 7-9) and I'm so excited about it that I decided to share a couple of 48HBC tips this week.

Today's tip: Take advantage of audiobooks!!!!

The challenge guidelines allow participants to count one audiobook in the time/books logged for the challenge. Listening to an audiobook is a GREAT way to break up your reading and give your eyes a rest!

You can also use an audiobook while you're:

• Cleaning, gardening, doing laundry, cooking dinner, or doing any other chores that normally keep you from reading! 
• Exercising or taking a walk outside to get some fresh air!
• Driving - either on a road trip or while you're doing errands around town!

Even if you don't finish an entire audiobook over the weekend, you can still count your time listening in your reading hours and you can count the "pages" read with a little simple math. Here's how to convert your listening time into pages: 

1. Keep track of your listening time. Say you listened to The Lions of Little Rock for 2.5 hours. That's 150 minutes. 

2. Figure out how many minutes the whole audiobook is. TLOLR is 8 hours and 22 minutes long, or 502 minutes long (8 hours = 480 minutes + 22 minutes = 502 minutes). 

3. Divide the time you spent listening by the total time to figure out what percentage of the audiobook you completed. 150/502 = about 30%

4. Find out how many pages the physical book is. You can use GoodReads or Amazon or your local library's catalog for this. According to GoodReads, TLOLR is 298 pages long. 

5. Multiply the number of pages by the percentage of the audiobook that you listened to. For TLOLR, we'll multiply 298 x .30 = 89 pages. 

Okay, that's enough math. :)

Where can you find an audiobook to listen to?

• Check your local library for audiobooks on CD or downloadable audiobooks. 
• Download FREE teen audiobooks every week all summer at SYNC. 
• Check out Audible for a huge selection of audiobooks to purchase. If you're new to Audible, you can download an audiobook free to try it out.

So, what are some awesome audiobooks? 

This is going to be a matter of personal preference, but you can check out Audiobook Jukebox for TONS of audiobook reviews from around the blogsophere, visit my favorite audiobook blog Reading with my Ears, sample the AudioSynced archives, or pick up one of the Odyssey Award winners or honorees. 

And you can check out some of the audiobooks I've listened to on my GoodReads audio shelf. 

So, who else is excited for the 48 Hour Book Challenge? And are you picking up an audiobook to listen to this weekend? (I am, but I'm not sure which one yet...!)

Hey, I'm an Audible affiliate and if you purchase audiobooks or subscriptions after clicking on the links here, I'll get a commission. 

Audiobook Review: We've Got a Job

We've Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March by Cynthia Levinson, read by Ervin Ross. Grades 6 and up. Listening Library, 2012 (book copyright Peachtree Press, 2012). 6 hours and 22 minutes. Review copy purchased. Hey, I'm an Audible affiliate, so if you purchase audiobooks after clicking on links in this post, I get a small commission. 

In 1963, the people leading the Civil Rights movement were desperately trying to make headway in Birmingham, Alabama - sometimes called "Bombingham" because of the high amount of bombings connected to the Civil Rights struggle. When leaders of the movement got the idea to demonstrate and protest with the goal of filling up the jails to make a media splash, it seemed like a good idea. But the stakes were too high for many adult protesters... So the children and teens decided to go to jail.

Yes, this is a book about the Birmingham Children's March of 1963, but it's also a really rich resource on civil rights in general. There were many civil rights demonstrations that led up to the Children's March - sit-ins at lunch counters, ride-ins on segregated buses, marches and parades by adults - none of which really had the desired effect. This is an important book, not only for telling a little-known story, but for telling a story about kids and teens making a difference. The story of the Birmingham Children's March clearly illustrates that kids can make a difference and sometimes their efforts are essential.

Ervin Ross's narration is steady and clear and it fits the content nicely. This past year I've gotten into NPR and I'm enjoying listening to nonfiction audiobooks all the more (they're like long NPR episodes! You learn so much!). A very nice feature of the audiobook is that parts of Cynthia Levinson's recorded interviews with the featured activists are included. It was great to hear them talking about their experiences in their own words after reading about them in the book.

Often, listening to youth nonfiction books on audio is a little bit of a trade-off because there are photos, diagrams, or illustrations that you're missing. We've Got a Job is no exception, so you may want to hunt down a print copy to see photos of the four featured activists and other events mentioned in the book. I will say that, having listened to the audiobook first and then picked up the print book, there were less photos than I had thought there would be. There's a great deal of uninterrupted text, which may scare off some young readers.

This book is rich with content that would fit Common Core standards. It has much to add to units on Civil Rights and American history. Don't miss it!

We've Got a Job is on shelves now!

Listen Up! at the @alscblog

I'm over at the ALSC Blog today, talking about great family audiobooks for spring break road trips! Hop on over there and add your two cents in the comments!

AudioSynced: January Roundup!

It's time for your monthly AudioSynced Roundup! If you're looking for your next great listen, look no further! Check out these posts and reviews of audiobooks from around the blogosphere in January. If I've missed your review, please leave me a link in comments and I'll add it to the roundup. Didn't get to an audiobook this month? Don't worry; Kelly will be hosting AudioSynced at STACKED again next month!

Audiobook News and Posts

Well, the biggest news of them all: the American Library Association's Youth Media Awards have been announced!

The winner of the Odyssey Award for excellence in youth audiobooks is The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, read by Kate Rudd, produced by Brilliance Audio.

The Odyssey honors go to:

Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian by Eoin Colfer, read by Nathaniel Parker, produced by Listening Library.

Ghost Knight by Cornelia Funke, read by Elliot Hill, produced by Listening Library.

Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Farma, read by Katherine Kellgren, produced by Macmillan Audio.

Think you don't have time for audiobooks? Janssen of Everyday Reading is writing for Goodlife Books on how to squeeze audiobook listening into your busy schedule. She also recommends five of her favorite audiobooks to get you started.

(I have to insert here that I recently found a great time to put your audiobook on: in the dentist's chair! But hopefully I won't have to utilize that method again for some time.)

Reviews:

Children's/Middle Grade: 

Hard Gold by Avi, read by Alston Brown, reviewed by Lisa at Shelf-employed. Lisa says, "The diary style is well-suited for audio format."

The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver, read by Simon Vance, reviewed by Jen of A Book and a Latte. Jen says, "Fans of Jim Dale (narrator for the Harry Potter series) will really enjoy his [Simon Vance's] voice and style."

Young Adult: 

Crash by Lisa McMann, read by Allyson Ryan, reviewed by Sarah of YA Love. Sarah says, "I chose to read Crash with my ears because reading it traditionally wasn’t holding my attention. I write this first because the audio swayed parts of my enjoyment of this book, but not all of it."

The Diviners by Libba Bray, read by January LaVoy, reviewed by Beth of A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust. Beth says, "I can't imagine anyone being a more perfect narrator for the audiobook of The Diviners than January LaVoy."

The Freedom Maze by Delia Sherman, read by Robin Miles, reviewed by Kimberly of STACKED. Kim says, "The narrator has a perfectly authentic Southern drawl and gives the white and the black characters accents without exaggeration."

The Freedom Maze was also reviewed by Lee at Reading with my ears. Lee says, "Miles is excellent here, managing a large cast of characters from two centuries and races."

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, read by Mandy Williams and Justine Eyre, reviewed by Lee of Reading with my ears. Lee says, "Mandy Williams... portrays Seraphina with a voice that reflects her prim, analytical nature with that of a girl who is just beginning to spread her wings."

The Silence of Murder by Dandi Daley Mackall, read by Emily Rankin, reviewed by Kimberly of STACKED. Kimberly calls it, "a leisurely-paced story that is narrated well."

Adult: 

Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and Murder of a President by Candace Miller, read by Paul Michael, reviewed by Carin of Caroline Bookbinder. Carin says, "His [Paul Michael's] deep, sonorous voice was perfect for a presidential bio: very authoritative and respectful."

The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan, read by Robin Sachs, reviewed by Lee of Reading with my ears. Lee says, "Robin Sachs... takes command of Jake’s story from the get-go and never lets up."

AudioSynced: November

Holiday travel means time to listen to audiobooks in the car or while you're cooking fantastic holiday treats and meals. Even if you're not traveling (or cooking) for the holidays this year, you just may find your next awesome audiobook by checking out some of these audiobook reviews from around the blogosphere.

If you've reviewed or posted about audiobooks this month and I don't have your link here, please leave me a link in comments or shoot me an email at abbylibrarian@gmail.com and I'll add your review to the roundup. (Please note: only reviews that actually evaluate some aspect of the narration and/or audio recording will be included in the roundup. Not sure how to review an audiobook? Kelly's got some awesome tips on reviewing audiobooks!)

Didn't get to an audiobook this month? Don't worry! Kelly will be hosting AudioSynced at STACKED next month.

Looking for more audiobook reviews? Check out Audiobook Jukebox, a comprehensive collection of blogger audiobook reviews.

News and Posts

What's involved in making an audiobook? John Schwartz explores the audiobook experience for the New York Times in his article "Sound Check".

Children's/Middle Grade Audiobook Reviews

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming, read by Andrew Sachs, reviewed by Lee at Reading With My Ears. Lee says, "Sachs reads the novel beautifully."

First Light by Rebecca Stead, read by David Ackroyd and Coleen Marlo, reviewed by Lee at Reading With My Ears. Lee says, "Unfortunately, neither narrator seems completely comfortable with the English accent, so the dialogue always sounds a bit stiff and artificial."

The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy, read by Bronson Pichot, reviewed by Beth at Nerdy Book Club. Beth says, "This is one of the most memorable audiobooks I’ve listened to in recent history and that is all thanks to the sheer comic genius of actor Bronson Pinchot, who not only narrates this audiobook, he performs his heart out in it."

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Well, written and read by Chris Colfer, reviewed by Lisa at Shelf-employed. Lisa says, "As one might expect from Glee star, Chris Colfer, the narration is superb." 

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool, read by Jenna Lamia with Cassandra Campbell and Kirby Heyborne, reviewed by Heidi at Bunbury in the Stacks. Heidi says, "[Jenna Lamia] is the type of narrator that infuses a book with life and makes the audio into an experience that is richer than you could have had merely reading the story on the page..."
Young Adult Audiobook Reviews

Colin Fischer by Ashley Edward Miller and Zach Stentz, read by Jesse Eisenberg, reviewed by April at Good Books & Good Wine. April says, "Colin Fischer is certainly an audiobook that I would recommend to audiobook aficionados and newcomers alike."

Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor, read by Khristine Hvam, reviewed by Brenda at proseandkahn. Brenda says, "Khristine Hvam turned in another flawless performance."

Dodger by Terry Pratchett, read by Stephen Briggs, reviewed by Lee at Reading With My Ears. Lee says, "He [Stephen Briggs]'s good; he's an excellent match with Pratchett's rapid-fire jokes, whiplashing plot developments and all-around silliness."

Speechless by Hannah Harrington, read by Emily Bauer, reviewed by Sarah at YA Love. Sarah says, "[Emily Bauer's] voice fits Chelsea’s character, especially how she’s able to make herself sound snobby and catty like Chelsea is at the beginning. I noticed, though, that as the story continued and Chelsea grew as a character, Emily Bauer’s voice became more compassionate and down to earth."

Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan, read by Michael Page and Anne Flosnik, reviewed by Heidi at Bunbury in the Stacks. Heidi says, "I do recommend the audio, but not so enthusiastically that I would insist it were an improvement on the book itself."


Adult Audiobook Reviews

Buckingham Palace Gardens by Anne Perry, read by Michael Page, reviewed by Lee at Reading With My Ears. Lee says, " [Michael Page] has a very actor-y voice -- rich and resonant with lots of variation. He is very good at characterization -- the more obvious choices through social class, but I particularly admired the subtle differences between his voice for Pitt and for Narraway..."

Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland, read by Kimberly Farr, reviewed by Melissa at Book Nut. Melissa says, "I wanted to like this one, and sometimes I did. The narrator was good -- nothing spectacular, but not annoying, either."

The Dangerous Animals Club, written and read by Stephen Tobolowsky, reviewed by Heidi at Bunbury in the Stacks. Heidi says, "...Stephen Tobolowsky is a damn fine storyteller."

The Lost Painting: The Quest for a Caravaggio Masterpiece by Jonathan Harr, read by Campbell Scott, reviewed by Lee at Reading With My Ears. Lee says, "[Campbell Scott's] low-key style suits nonfiction, as he steadily but patiently tells us the story of this paper chase."

The Professor and the Madman, written and read by Simon Winchester, reviewed by Lanea at Books for Ears. Lanea says, "Winchester makes for a wonderful reader–his diction is lovely and his pacing is good throughout, and his accent is just right for this subject matter. I’m looking forward to listening to other books of his."

Seriously... I'm Kidding, written and read by Ellen Degeneres, reviewed by Jeanne from Books for Ears. Jeanne says, "If you have seen Ellen DeGeneres doing standup or hosting her show, you have a good idea of what you are in for here. She is off the cuff, engaging, goofy and lighthearted."

AudioSynced: September Roundup!

Y'all might know that I moved to a new apartment in April and I now live 7 minutes from my library. I never miss my commute... until it's time to work on the monthly AudioSynced roundup. Truth be told, it's really hard for me to carve out any time to listen to audiobooks anymore and I miss them! So you enjoy these audiobook reviews, and if you have any tips on how to make time for audiobooks, I would enjoy it if you'd leave them in the comments!

Allison found time for downloadable audiobooks when an injury kept her off her feet for awhile (maybe I need to injure myself?). And Sarah finds time while she's creating delicacies in her kitchen (maybe listening to audiobooks would actually make me WANT to cook?); check out her review of Beat the Band below.

AudioSynced is a monthly roundup of audiobook reviews and posts from around the blogsophere, hosted by Kelly of STACKED and myself. Do you have a September review or post that I missed? Please leave me a link in comments and I'll update this post to include it. Don't have an audiobook review this month? Worry not; AudioSynced will be back next month at STACKED. And, of course, don't forget to check out Audiobook Jukebox for an extensive audiobook review database.

Children's/Middle Grade Audiobooks

The Council of Mirrors (Sisters Grimm #8) by Michael Buckley, read by L.J. Ganser, reviewed by Lisa at Shelf-employed. Lisa says, "Overall, a satisfying listen."

Dead End in Norvelt, written and read by Jack Gantos, reviewed by Abby at Abby the Librarian (that's me!). I say, "Jack Gantos narrates, which fits the story perfectly since it's such a personal story. The reading is a little weird and quirky, but if you've ever heard Gantos speak, you know that's just how he is."

On the Wings of Heroes by Richard Peck, read by Lincoln Hoppe, reviewed by April at Good Books and Good Wine. April says, "While I enjoyed On The Wings Of Heroes and the themes of family and the American home front of World War II, I did not fall head over heels in love with it..."

Satchel Paige by Lesa Cline-Ransom, read by Dion Graham, reviewed by Lisa at Shelf-employed. Lisa says, "Lesa Cline-Ransome writes in a folksy manner, and Dion Graham's relaxed Southern voice is a perfect complement, enhanced with sound effects and music."

The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley-Howard, read by Michael Maloney, reviewed by Lee at Reading with my ears. Lee says, "This book isn't immediately captivating, but it does reward the patient listener."


YA Audiobooks

Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick, read by Katherine Kellgren, reviewed by Catie at The Readventurer. Catie says, "The best part of this book for me was that it was narrated by Katherine Kellgren."

Beat the Band by Don Calame, read by Nick Podehl, reviewed by Sarah at YA Love. Sarah (who is cooking and listening - SMART! I wish I liked to cook...) says, "...[J]ust as I expected, it is fantastic!"

Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr, read by James Marsters, reviewed by Heidi at Bunbury in the Stacks. Heidi says, "...Marsters voiced the characters of Carnival of Souls excellently, and I certainly recommend this format."

Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Schecter, read by Kirsten Potter, reviewed by Heidi at Bunbury in the Stacks. Heidi says, "This was the third Sync title I’ve listened to this summer, but the first to truly impress upon me the certainty that I could not have enjoyed this book more had I read the text instead of listened."

Swim the Fly by Don Calame, read by Nick Podehl, reviewed by Sarah at YA Love. Sarah says, "Do you enjoy laughing out loud? (I’m going to assume your answer is yes.) Then you need to read Swim the Fly by Don Calame, or even better, listen to the audiobook."


Adult Audiobooks

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, read by Julia Whelan and Kirby Heyborne, reviewed by April at Good Books and Good Wine. April says, "I cannot imagine two better people to narrate Amy and Nick. Their voicing was just spot on, and also, pleasing to my ears, like I legit never set this audiobook aside."

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson, read by Peter Altschuler, reviewed by Melissa at Book Nut. Melissa says, "...I adored it because Peter Altschuler is a brilliant narrator. All the right voices, all the right inflection... all the right emphasis in the right places, so I got the humor and I understood the conflict and I loved (absolutely adored) the Major."

Audiobook Review: Dead End in Norvelt

Dead End in Norvelt, written and read by Jack Gantos. Grades 4-7. Macmillan Audio, 2011. 7 hours and 16 minutes. Review copy provided by my local library.

Norvelt is a dying town. Subsidized by Eleanor Roosevelt as part of the New Deal to help poor people get back on their feet, the original residents are reaching an age where it's not unusual to read their obituaries in the morning paper. And all those obituaries are written by the inimitable Mrs. Volkert, herself an original Norvelt resident. A sassy old lady with a penchant for history, the only thing slowing Mrs. Volkert down is the crippling arthritis in her hands. And that's where Jack comes in. In trouble for shooting one of his father's old guns from the army, Jack is grounded for the summer, except when Mrs. Volkert needs his help to type up obituaries. And when people start to get suspicious about the deaths of so many original Norvelt residents, Jack will have to help solve that mystery, too!

Blending fact and fiction into a semi-autobiographical novel about his own childhood (the town of Norvelt is real, Jack really suffered from terrible nosebleeds as a kid), Dead End in Norvelt, is a story about examining one's own past and learning from history and also figuring out how to embrace change. It's entirely fitting that a book with those themes would feature elements from Jack Gantos's own childhood, and I'd imagine that looking back at  his own past helped Gantos make the story even more meaningful.

Jack Gantos is a boy obsessed with story and with history. Part of the reason he bonds with Mrs. Volkert is that she insists on adding paragraphs to each obituary, loosely connecting some forgotten moment in history with the life of the person who has died. Another reason is that she lets him drive her car, but that's neither here nor there.

The town of Norvelt is so richly developed that it almost becomes another character in the novel. By the way, Norvelt is a real place and it really was built during the Depression to improve the lives of poor people. Norvelt, once a model community, is now a dead end. It's not growing and flourishing; the population dwindles as the residents die off one by one. But it's also a place with a rich history and that makes it valuable to those wise enough to know it.

I listened to the audio recording of this title and that was a great way to experience this book. Jack Gantos narrates, which fits the story perfectly since it's such a personal story. The reading is a little weird and quirky, but if you've ever heard Gantos speak, you know that's just how he is. The reading wasn't voiced, but it felt authentic. The audiobook includes an interview with Jack Gantos answering questions about the book and his writing.

Dead End in Norvelt was the winner of the 2012 Newbery Medal and the 2012 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. The story has a lot of humor and I think it will appeal to guy readers. I'd hand it to fans of the Grandma Dowdel books by Richard Peck because of this historical setting and the quirky old lady character. I'd also hand it to fans of Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt, which is another book set in a small town in the 1960s with a strong male character (although the tone of Schmidt's book is darker).

Check out more reviews at Reading Everywhere (audiobook review), Book Nut, GreenBean TeenQueen, and the Nerdy Book Club.

Dead End in Norvelt is on shelves now!

AudioSynced: May Roundup

Yep, it's that time again! Time for your AudioSynced Roundup! June is Audiobook Month, so check out this post for some great audiobooks to check out for your summer road trips. If I missed your review or post about audiobooks this month, please leave me a link in comments and I'll update the roundup. If you didn't review or post about audiobooks this month, neverfear: Kelly at STACKED will host another roundup next month.

Want more audiobook reviews? Be sure to check out Audiobook Jukebox, a fabulous collection of audiobook reviews across the blogosphere.

Audiobook News and Posts


Becky at RA for All posts about narrator-author teams.

A whole host of interesting people are talking about their favorite audiobooks at The Awl.

Beth at Beth Fish Reads posted about fantasy and paranormal audiobooks this month.

John Schwartz has an essay in the New York Times about the importance of narrators in audiobook selection.


Children's/Middle Grade Audiobooks


Chomp by Carl Hiaasen, read by James Van Der Beek, reviewed by Beth at A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust. Beth says, "James Van Der Beek is the narrator of the audiobook and while I was never a watcher of Dawson's Creek when I was a teenager, even I managed to swoon a little listening to his deep, inviting voice."

The Other Half of My Heart by Sundee Frazier, read by Bahni Turpin, reviewed by me at Abby the Librarian. I said, "Bahni Turpin's excellent narration saved this book for me. I would have put it down right about the spot where Grandmother Johnson comes in, but Turpin so brought Grandmother Johnson to life for me that I was intrigued and kept listening."

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham, read by Richard Thomas, reviewed by Amy at The Show Me Librarian. Amy says, "The five-hour audiobook makes for great listening on an otherwise uneventful car ride, perfect for summer travels."


YA Audiobooks


Sarah at Y.A. Love has flash reviews of three YA audiobooks: Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie; Beautiful Chaos; and Marcelo in the Real World.

Au Reviour, Crazy European Chick  by Joe Schreiber, read by Steven Boyer, reviewed by Beth at A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust. Beth says, "Steven Boyer is the narrator of the audiobook and he does an amazing job of bringing the story to life."

Changeling by Philippa Gregory, read by Charlie Cox, reviewed by April at Good Books and Good Wine. April says, "This is probably not the first audiobook I’d recommend to virgin ears, but one that I’d recommend to experienced listeners going on a rainy drive."

The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi, read by Joshua Swanson, reviewed by April at Good Books and Good Wine. April says, "At this point, friends, I am committed to continuing a series in audio if it’s narrated by Swanson - he’s got great range and knows how to keep the pace exciting and intense."

The Wake of  the Lorelei Lee by L. A. Meyer, read by Katherine Kellgren, reviewed by Melissa at One Librarian's Book Reviews. Melissa says, "I once again must rave over the inimitable Katherine Kellgren, who does a fantastic job narrating the audiobook..."

Also reviewed by Lee at Reading with my ears. Lee says, "It’s likely I’d have thrown in the towel long ago were I reading these to myself, because a large part – dare I say, 99% – of the enjoyment here is due to narrator Kellgren. She throws herself into these novels with unflagging enthusiasm and her prodigious talents for storytelling, acting and singing."

When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle, read by Sarah Grace, reviewed by April at Good Books and Good Wine. April says, "I quite liked Sarah Grace’s soft and vulnerable voicing for the most part. However I was not a huge fan of her male voices and especially her performance of Rosaline’s potential love interest."


Adult Audiobooks


The Gods of Gotham by Lyndsay Faye, read by Steven Boyer, reviewed by Lee at Reading with my ears. Lee says, "Steven Boyer, a narrator whose steady, unglamorous work didn't immediately bring him to mind as the reader for this book, does his usual fine job here."

Let's Pretend This Never Happened, written and read by Jenny Lawson, reviewed by Catie at The Readventurer. Catie says, "As a narrator, I thought she was engaging and she is a natural storyteller. The audiobook is absolutely conversational, in a way that I haven't experienced before but which I enjoyed. "

The September Society by Charles Finch, read by James Langton, reviewed by Lee at Reading with my ears. Lee says, "James Langton narrates the novel, and he knows exactly how to do it. He reads with a hint of effete diffidence, perfect for a well-bred Englishman solving the crimes of his social peers."

Still Alice, written and read by Lisa Genova, reviewed by Janssen at Everyday Reading. Janssen says, "I loved the audio version of this...; listening to it, rather than reading it on a page made me feel even more connected to Alice, like I was really in her head, experiencing the devastating loss of her abilities."

Sports from Hell by Rick Reilly, read by Mike Chamberlain, reviewed by Melissa at Book Nut. Melissa says, "It's a completely useless book -- there's really nothing of value in here, unless you want to impress people with your synonyms for vomit -- but it's entertaining. Or, at least, it tries very hard to be."

Unfamiliar Fishes, written and read by Sarah Vowell, reviewed by Lisa at Shelf-employed. Lisa says, "If you've never heard her quirky little voice before... you're likely to love it or hate it. I love it. Listen for yourself."

Audiobook Review: The Other Half of My Heart

The Other Half of My Heart by Sundee Frazier, read by Bahni Turpin. Grades 4-6. Listening Library, 2011. 7 hours and 55 minutes. Review copy provided by my local library.

Biracial twin sisters Keira and Minerva don't look anything alike. Keira is dark-skinned like her African-American mother and Minnie has blue eyes and light skin like her white father. Growing up in a small Washington State town, Keira is the one who always feels different and sometimes wrong. But when their grandmother insists on entering both girls in the Miss Black Pearl Preteen of America program in her hometown of Raleigh, NC, Minni will discover what it's like to be the one who doesn't fit in. And seeing the world from Keira's eyes will help her find the voice she so desperately wants to shout down injustice.

I love the premise, but the story fell a little flat for me. I felt like it was slow going at the beginning without many opportunities for Bahni Turpin's excellent narration to shine. When the twins arrived in Raleigh, Turpin's voice for Grandmother Johnson brought me back into the story and that's what I liked best about the whole book. It slowed down for me again at the end when Grandmother Johnson wasn't as prevalent. And I think that shows you what I thought of the book overall, that even with this fabulous premise, the most interesting character was an adult.

There were things about the book that I liked. I liked that it explores issues of race in our supposedly "post-racial" society. The book clearly shows that racism still exists. It's great to see biracial protagonists and the book really did make me think about race and ethnicity as something that's deeper than appearances. Even though Minnie looked white, she was just as much black as she was white. And even though Keira looked black, she was just as much white as she was black. My community's home to a large number of biracial kids and they need books that reflect their experiences, so keep 'em coming!

I think where the book fell flat was in the character of Minni. The book was about her struggle to find her voice, to know and claim her own black heritage and to feel and understand racism. However, even with all that development going on, Minni was still the most boring character in the book. I never connected with her, never felt her frustration at not being able to speak out for what she believed (even though Martin Luther King, Jr. is her hero). Sundee Frazier tells us that Minni is all about social justice, but I never felt like that was shown to me.

Like I said, Grandmother Johnson (a no-nonsense, retired Southern teacher) was the most interesting character to me. I, like Minni, was fascinated with her stories of being the first black teacher in a white school in the South. Keira was also interesting to me with her passion for fashion and her exuberant, outgoing personality. I feel like some plot threads were dropped with Keira, though. It's mentioned that she has dyslexia and struggles with reading, but nothing more is said about it after the middle of the book.

Bahni Turpin's excellent narration saved this book for me. I would have put it down right about the spot where Grandmother Johnson comes in, but Turpin so brought Grandmother Johnson to life for me that I was intrigued and kept listening. However, there's not much opportunity elsewhere for Turpin to do what she does best and use voiced narration to bring characters to life.

I'd recommend this book to tweens with a special interest in the subject matter. It's a nice, clean read for a true tween audience - upper elementary and younger middle school. The book also has tie-ins to the Civil Rights movement and would make for interesting discussions about race and racism in today's society. Especially consider purchasing this one where you've got an audience demanding books with biracial protagonists.

Lee at Reading with my Ears has another review of the audiobook.

The Other Half of My Heart is on shelves now!

Audiobook Review: The Running Dream

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen, read by Laura Flanagan. Grades 7 and up. Listening Library, 2011. 7 hours and 3 minutes. Reviewed from purchased copy.

I don't do a lot of rereading. Honestly, I don't make the time for it when I can't read nearly as many new books as I'd like to. Audiobooks are a nice compromise. Listening to an audiobook of a title I've liked is a way to "reread" and also experience the book in a new way. Not all books stand up to a reread, even in audio format, but I'm happy to say that The Running Dream definitely stands up!

I read and reviewed The Running Dream last year and here's some of what I had to say:

I am a runner.
That's what I do.
That's who I am.
Running is all I know, or want, or care about...
Running aired out my soul.
It made me feel alive.
And now?
I'm stuck in this bed, knowing I'll never run again. (pg 6)

When an uninsured truck driver plows into the track team's school bus, Jessica's right leg is smashed beyond repair, requiring a below-the-knee amputation. In the days after the accident, Jessica can't imagine walking again, let alone running, but with the help of her determined friends and family, she just might make it back on the track. The Running Dream chronicles the months after the accident as Jessica returns to school, figures out a prosthetic leg, and slowly regains hope for the future.

If I were to describe this book in one word, it would be "uplifting". Jessica's story is one of hope, of friends and family coming together to help, and of possibilities. It's about small victories and large victories and making the world a better place.

You can read the full review here. 

With this reread, I was less sensitive to the fact that everything turned out unrealistically awesome and more sensitive to Jessica's struggles and her determination not only to succeed but to make life better for another person. Possibly this is because I already knew what was going to happen, but I also have to give credit to the audio format. The first-person narration lends itself to audio quite nicely and narrator Laura Flanagan brings Jessica to life, reading the poignant moments of Jessica's struggle with true emotion. Flanagan does a particularly nice job with the high emotions at the beginning of the book as Jessica finds out what happened with the accident and starts to deal with her new reality. 

Laura Flanagan's reading is no-frills, although it is partially voiced. Her men's voices sounded a little goofy to me, especially Jessica's prosthetics guy. But she makes up for it with Rosa's voice. In the book, Rosa (who has cerebral palsy) is described as being difficult to understand and Flanagan pulls off her speech impediment while still getting the words across. She also reads Rosa with a warmth that befits her character.

Flanagan's reading reminded me of Sara Zarr's reading of her own works, which I have really enjoyed. They both come across with a sense of authenticity about their characters and a frankness that I find very appealing. I'd recommend this audiobook to anyone who's liked Sara Zarr's Story of a Girl (read by Sara Zarr) or If I Stay by Gayle Forman, read by Kirsten Potter. 

Check out more audiobook reviews of The Running Dream at Everyday Reading and Reading with my Ears. 

The Running Dream is on shelves now!

* Hey, I'm an Audible affiliate, so if you purchase stuff after clicking the links on this site, I may get a small commission! 

Audiobook Review: The Cheshire Cheese Cat

The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale by Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright, read by Katherine Kellgren and Robin Sachs. Grades 3-7. Listening Library, 2012 (Peachtree Publishers, 2011). 4 discs. Review copy provided by my local library.

Skilley, a London alley cat, longs for the warm hearth of The Cheshire Cheese Inn, so when he hears that they're looking for a mouser, he shows up. But Skilley has a terrible secret: he eats cheese instead of mice! When the smartest mouse at the inn figures out Skilley's secret, they arrange a deal to benefit them both: the mice will provide Skilley with cheese and he won't hunt them as long as they try to stay out of sight. But things get more complicated when Skilley learns that there's a captive at the inn... and he needs help.

This is a solid, charming story with plenty of fun Dickensian references, very timely for the hundredth anniversary of Charles Dickens's birth. Kids won't necessarily get the Dickens references, but they're fun nonetheless and this just may be the kind of book that kids will revisit at an older age. The characters and the interesting relationship between an educated mouse and a street cat working together drew me into the story and there's no one better to bring characters to life than narrator Katherine Kellgren.

Kellgren rocks it once again with this fully voiced production. I love her range of voices, from the prim and proper (and tiny!) mouse Pip to the rough-and-tumble alley cats to all the humans of the Cheshire Cheese. She has a gift for getting characters' personalities across in the way she voices them, and that truly brings the story to life. Robin Sachs narrates bits here and there from the writings of Charles Dickens as he observes the small dramas happening in the Cheshire Cheese and tries to come up with an opening line for his next novel. Sachs reads with dignity befitting such an esteemed historical figure, and his bits add an authenticity to the story.

I'd recommend this story to fans of classic animal stories like Charlotte's Web, A Cricket in Times Square, or Bunnicula. The audiobook would make a fantastic family listen, as I think it will appeal to a wide range of ages and adults who will pick up on the Dickens references.

The Cheshire Cheese Cat was the 2011 Cybils Winner in the Middle Grade Science Fiction & Fantasy Category and a contestant in SLJ's Battle of the Books. Also check out Betsy's review at A Fuse #8 Production.

The Cheshire Cheese Cat is available now!

* Hey, I'm an Audible affiliate, which means that if you purchase audiobooks after clicking on the links here I may get a small commission.