Audiobooks

Ivan has lived most of his life in captivity and has accepted his small enclosure in a zoo-themed mall as his home. That is, until young elephant Ruby arrives and Ivan realizes that she deserves better. Strong narration combined with great storytelling give life to Ivan and his companions. Ivan's voice is both gruff and caring, and listeners will be anxious to find out if he can keep his promise to find a better life for Ruby. (Audio) - Colleen Beaupre

Travel to “amazing Africa” by listening to this series of stories about Anna Hibiscus, a young girl who lives with her lively extended family including her cousins Double and Trouble. The descriptions of the setting, the characters’ African English accents and Anna’s mundane and extraordinary experiences give the listener a flavor of life in a West African city. Ade-salu’s voice is clear and melodic, switching smoothly between the narration and the accented characters’ voices. She convincingly conveys the emotional ups and downs of a naive school girl becoming more aware of her social context and trying to distinguish herself as an individual. For Up to Seven listeners. Lena Berrios

Autumn thinks with her body and her hands. She bothers with school only because she can't wrestle if her grades fall. Adonis lives in his head. He only exercises his body so he doesn't have to rely on others. Autumn has loved Adonis from the first moment she saw him, wheelchair and all. Adonis can't get far enough away from Autumn during the day, even if he can't stop dreaming about her. These two seemingly mismatched characters are fully realized by Turpin and Hoffman. The voices being almost at odds with Turpin bursting with Autumn exuberance and Hoffman maintaining Adonis's seriousness. As Autumn and Adonis wrestle with their emotions, growing up, and each other, Turpin and Hoffman find balance with each other, deepening the connection between Autumn and Adonis. 14+ Audio. Paula Langsam

When thirteen-year-old Jack Baker's mother dies, his father a naval officer moves Jack from landlocked Kansas to Maine, and enrolls him in al all boys prep school. When his father is supposed to come for a visit but does not, Jack decides to accompany Early Auden, an odd classmate on a quest on the Appalachian Trail. Early is on a mission - to search for his brother whom he believes is still alive although he was reported missing in action in WWII and presumed dead. Jack is rutterless. However, he does need a friend and Early will do. This is a wonderful story of friendship, loss and discovery. This novel is possibly better than Newbery winner Moon over Manifest, for it delves deeper into the soul. The audio is narrated in a matter of fact way by Tobbie Daymond with the story within the novel narrated with an adult voice by Mr. Bramhall which makes for a nicely paced and entertaining audio. Ages 10+ Maria E. Gentle