Simon Thorn and the Wolf's Den

Gr 5–7—Strange things are happening to Simon Thorn. He wakes up to discover he can talk to animals. Simon's seemingly normal life with his uncle Darryl is thrown upside down when his mostly absent mom shows up and explains that he is an animalgam, a shapeshifter. When Simon's mom and uncle disappear, he follows their trail only to find himself in a hidden world below the Central Park Zoo. There he faces corrupt leaders, a twin brother, and a destiny that could make or destroy the animal kingdom. Narrator William Dufris brings to life Simon's world. His voices for the well-developed characters are easy to distinguish, and his narrative style is unique and adds a level of humor to the story that listeners will love. Dufris deftly navigates Carter's complex, engaging story and makes this audiobook impossible to put down.