2009 Selected Audiobooks for Young Adults
Updated July 29, 2008
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, by Sherman Alexie, read by the author. Recorded Books, 2008, 5 hours, 5 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4281-8297-4, $46.75; 5 cassettes, ISBN: 978-1-4281-8292-9, $33.75.
A fledglingcartoonist, Arnold Spirit Jr., or Junior as he's known on the rez, leaves his Spokane Indian Reservation high school after throwing his 30-year-old geometry textbook at his teacher. Alexie explores major issues of belonging and leaving your community, life and death, and the value of friendship, reading his own work with appropriate pacing and true emotion.
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson, read by Jenna Lamia. Macmillan Audio, 2008, 7 hours, 30 minutes, 6 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4272-0443-1, $29.95.
Her parents tell her that she has just awoken from a coma after a terrible accident, but Jenna Fox doesn't remember anything about her life. Another Jenna, narrator Lamia, brilliantly brings to life one of the most empty — literally — young women in fiction. She seamlessly flows from character to character, including women of three generations, and doesn't miss a beat.
The Compound by S.A. Bodeen, read by Christopher Lane. Brilliance Audio, 2008, 6 hours, 6 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4233-6558-7, $74.25; 5 cassettes, ISBN: 978-1-4233-6556-3, $69.25.
Eli’s billionaire father built the Compound to protect his family from recent nuclear devastation. Now, six years have passed and Eli finally begins to question his reality. Christopher Lane’s intense, well-paced narration adds to the pulse-pounding intensity of this non-stop thrill ride.
Deadline by Chris Crutcher, read by Stephen Boyer. Recorded Books, 2008, 8 hours, 15 minutes, 7 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4281-8821-1, $87.75; 8 cassettes, ISBN: 978-1-4281-8816-7, $61.75.
Ben Wolf will be dead by the end of his senior year of high school, and he doesn't want anyone to know. His actions have a strong impact on his family, friends, and team as he learns that others have secrets, too. Stephen Boyer narrates in an understated manner which is perfect for Chris Crutcher's story of secrets kept and exposed.
The Declaration by Gemma Malley, read by Charlotte Parry. Recorded Books, 2007, 7 hours, 45 minutes, 7 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4281-7281-4, $97.75; 7 cassettes, ISBN: 978-1-4281-7276-0, $67.75.
It's 2140 and Anna is a surplus, an unwanted child forced in slavery. Then Peter comes, tells her that everything she knows is wrong, and her journey back home begins. Parry's unique and genuine accents make the characters shine in this thrilling story.
Fairest by Gail Carson Levine, read by Sarah Naughton and the Full Cast Family. Full Cast Audio, 2007, 8 hours, 15 minutes, 8 discs, ISBN (library edition): 978-1-934180-13-6, $55; ISBN (retail edition): 978-1-934180-08-2, $39.95.
Aza does not look like her fellow Ayorthans, but she can sing like them. Feeling huge and ugly, she somehow becomes the favorite of the new queen, sharing a secret that could bring down a kingdom and destroy Aza's happiness. The Full Cast Family expertly reads and sings the story of Aza and Ayortha — a country where beautiful composing and singing are prized above everything.
Firegirl by Tony Abbott, read by Sean Kenin. Listening Library, 2007, 2 hours, 52 minutes, 3 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7393-4873-4, $27.
When severely disfigured Jessica Feeny (with burns all over her body) joins Tom Bender's 7th grade class, his life is turned upside down. An ordinary boy, he daydreams a lot about being a superhero. Now he has to decide whether to hold her hand during morning prayers. This book packs a big punch in few words and Kenin captures Tom's voice and thoughts.
The Heartbreakers by Pamela Wells, read by Stina Nielsen. Recorded Books, 2008, 8 hours, 7 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4361-2493-5, $97.75; 7 cassettes, ISBN: 978-1-4281-8325-4, $67.75.
When Sydney, Raven and Kelly are all dumped by their boyfriends on the same night, it's up to their friend Alexia to get them back in shape with her "breakup rules". Narrator Nielsen perfectly captures the voices of the teen girls.
How to Build a House by Dana Reinhardt, read by Caitlin Greer. Listening Library, 2008, 5 hours, 24 minutes, 5 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7393-6412-3, $45.
Harper’s home and family are falling apart. To get away from her father and stepsister, she joins a volunteer program to build a house for Teddy’s family, who lost their home in a tornado. Caitlin Greer gives voice to Harper who, as she helps one family build their house, starts to put her own life back together.
Leap by Jane Breskin Zalben, read by Jennifer Ikeda and Jonathan Todd Ross. Recorded Books, 2007, 7 hours, 30 minutes, 6 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4281-7201-2, $87.75; 6 cassettes, ISBN: 978-1-4281-7196-1, $61.75.
Sixth graders Daniel and Krista have been on-and-off pals since they were tots. When a freak accident partially paralyzes Daniel their friendship is truly put to the test. Ikeda and Ross bring Krista and Daniel to life in this inspirational story about the power of friendship.
Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller by Sarah Miller, read by Terry Donnelly. Recorded Books, 2008, 6 hours, 45 minutes, 6 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4361-1320-5, $66.75; 6 cassettes, ISBN: 978-1-4361-1318-2, $51.75.
Anne Sullivan, a recent graduate from Perkins School for the Blind in Boston, accepts the challenge of teaching a six-year-old deaf and blind Alabama girl, Helen Keller. Anne's fiery temperament gives her the courage to overcome her pupil's wildness and the Keller family's permissiveness, enabling her to tame and teach Helen. The narrator Terry Donnelly does a fine job conveying Anne Sullivan doubts, anger and triumphs during her first month with the Keller family.
Night of the Soul Stealer, Book 3 of The Last Apprentice by Joseph Delaney, read by Christopher Evan Welch. Recorded Books, 2007, 7 hours, 30 minutes, 6 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4281-7251-7, $51.75; 6 cassettes, ISBN: 978-1-4281-7246-3, $41.75.
Young Tom Ward, apprentice to the Spook, travels with him to Angelzarke for a long cold winter. But when the Spook falls ill, Tom will have to face some terrors on his own if he's to defend the County against the dark. Narrator Welch creates a properly spooky and suspenseful atmosphere seen through the eyes of the naïve Tom.
Peeled by Joan Bauer, read by Kathe Mazur. Listening Library, 2008, 5 hours, 38 minutes, 5 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7393-6791-9, $45.
Hildy Biddle, high school reporter, swoops into action when her small apple-growing town is threatened by greed and corruption. Kathe Mazur's pitch-perfect narration and Bauer’s charming, homey tale make this a "juicy" choice for any listener!
Princess Mia, Book 9 of The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot, read by Clea Lewis. Recorded Books, 2008, 6 hours, 45 minutes, 6 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4361-0358-9, $66.75; 6 cassettes, ISBN: 978-1-4361-0353-4, $51.75.
Mia cannot get out of bed; her relationship with Michael is over and her best friend isn't speaking to her. But then Mia stumbles across very interesting information about a former princess of Genovia that might change her life and Genovia's future forever. Clea Lewis' youthful narration is full of attitude and sarcasm, capturing Mia perfectly.
Ruler of the Realm, Book 3 of The Faerie Wars Chronicles by Herbie Brennan, read by James Daniel Wilson. Recorded Books, 2007, 11 hours, 30 minutes, 10 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4281-2193-5, $108.75; 10 cassettes, ISBN: 978-1-4281-2188-1, $88.75.
As Henry makes his third visit to the Faerie Realm, Faerie of the Light Queen Holly Blue, her brother Pyrgus, Gatemaster Fogarty, and the Painted Lady find their world shifting and tilting dangerously towards war. This book has plenty of intrigue, action and humor, and Wilson invests each character — humans, fairies, and robots — with a distinct voice.
Sebastian Darke: Prince of Fools by Philip Caveney, read by Maxwell Caulfield. Listening Library, 2008, 8 hours, 25 minutes, ISBN: 978-0-7393-6318-8, $37.
On the eve of her 17th birthday, Princess Kerin is rescued from sure death by Cornelius, Sebastian, and Max, the Buffalope. Her uncle — evil King Septimus — devised a plot to kill his niece, which went awry when the rescuers came upon the brigands who set upon the Princess and her royal guards. Chock full of action, humor, friendship and loyalty, this adventure is epic storytelling at its best with Maxwell Caulfield in charge of the narration.
Skin Hunger, Book 1 of A Resurrection of Magic by Kathleen Duey, read by Andy Paris. Recorded Books, 2008, 10 hours, 9 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4361-1616-9, $97.75; 9 cassettes, ISBN: 978-1-4361-1611-4, $67.75.
A dark tale of loyalty, greed, friendship, pain and much more, two separate story lines introduce the mystically gifted farm girl Sadima and equally magically talented merchant's son Hahp. When they become involved with a pair of wizards their stories intertwine and their lives are changed forever. Andy Paris does an absolutely amazing non-voiced reading of this story and captures all of Duey's details vividly with his narration.
Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel, read by David Kelly and the Full Cast Family. Full Cast Audio, 2008, 11 hours, 30 minutes, 10 discs, ISBN: 978-1-934180-33-4, $44.95.
In his second adventure — after Airborn — Matt Cruse soars to new heights of adventure in pursuit of the Hyperion, a ghost ship carrying untold treasure at 20,000 feet. Matt joins the crew of a Skybreaker ship designed for high altitudes, along with his friend Kate and an enigmatic gypsy girl, but the altitude and freezing temperatures aren't the only obstacles they face as they race for the Hyperion with pirates on their tail. David Kelly and cast masterfully create engaging and unique characters that pull the listener into Matt's high-flying world of excitement, adventure and danger.
Snakehead, An Alex Rider Adventure, Book 7 by Anthony Horowitz, read by Simon Prebble. Recorded Books, 2008, 9 hours, 45 minutes, 8 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4281-8277-6, $97.75; 8 cassettes, ISBN: 978-1-4281-8272-1, $67.75.
Alex Rider is back! Just when he thought he was done with MI-6, Alex is caught yet again in a world of espionage for the Australian government, infiltrating an underground human trafficking operation in Indonesia. Simon Prebble is the voice of Alex Rider, and he takes listeners on yet another wild ride with the reluctant 14-year-old spy. From the streets of Bangkok to the Australian jungle, the wry narration captures the intensity and excitement fans of Alex crave.
Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner, read by Mike Chamberlain. Listening Library, 2008, 6 hours, 35 minutes, 6 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7393-6325-6, $45.
Join Shakespeare Shapiro as he guides you through the wacky landscape that is the past four years of his life via his Senior Memoir. Mike Chamberlain truly brings this unique and endearing character to life with his dead-on narration. This is a story that is truly given dimension via the audio format; a home run of great story married to perfect narrator.
Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr, read by the author. Listening Library, 2008, 4 hours, 48 minutes, 4 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7393-7133-6, $38.
Why does a single event seem to define a person's life and character? Branded the "school slut" for her mistake, Deanna feels isolated, yet puts on a tough exterior in front of people at school and her family. Narration by the author is done emotionlessly, unveiling the spare, powerful, honest portrayal of thegirl with the "reputation".
What My Mother Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones, read by Kate Reinders. Brilliance Audio, 2008, 2 hours, 2 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4233-6572-3, $44.25; 2 cassettes, ISBN: 978-1-4233-6570-9, $44.25.
The world according to Sophie — life, family, friends and love. Kate Reinders truly articulates the essence of 15-year-old Sophie as she is tongue-tied around a boy, chats and im's with friends, and wonders about her mom.
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