More diverse voices speaking out means more opportunities for representative stories to be acknowledged, shared, understood, celebrated, and honored, as evidenced in these 25 audio titles. Listen in.

Early Elementary

Águila, María Dolores. Barrio Rising: The Protest That Built Chicano Park. narrated by Victoria Villarreal. 20 min. Listening Library. Sept. 2024. $5. ISBN 9798217016235.
Gr 1-3–Birdsong mixed with strumming strings open Chicana poet/author Águila’s debut picture book, enhanced by a complementary soundtrack of traffic, protests, music. Bilingual Villareal, more than ever the Latina voice-of-choice, is a lyrical, tenacious cipher for young Elena who, with her mother and their Barrio Logan neighborhood, fights San Diego officials for the park they were promised. As Elena and Mami walk to the local tiendita, the ruckus of trucks, cars, junkyard dogs interrupt their greetings to friends. Elena thinks the bulldozers in motion finally signal park construction, but the city instead announces a new police station. The people adamantly refuse: “¡Viva la raza!” “¡Sí, se puede!” Águila adds the protest’s real-life history at story’s end, with additional resources and her own relationship with Chicano Park. Spanish print and audio versions are also available. VERDICT Author and narrator provide a motivating vision of what a united community can and will achieve.

Fairbanks, Ashley. This Land. narrated by Sarah Podemski. 6 min. (Race to the Truth). Listening Library. Aug. 2024. $5. ISBN 9780593865361.
PreS-Gr 3–Fairbanks and Podemski create a formidable Anishinaabe pair, reminding audiences that throughout this American land were Indigenous families forced from their homes “when people came here from Europe,” and banished to “move onto small pieces of land called reservations.” A young girl with an Anishinaabe friend learns the history and culture of the Indigenous people through sharing food, songs, rituals—most importantly, she learns to ask, “Who lived here before the people who live here now?” Havasupai, Yavapai, Paiute, Hopi, Zuni, Hualapai, Apache, and Diné call the Grand Canyon home; Ohlone fished in San Francisco Bay; Lenape inhabited NYC. “This land all has history.” Fairbanks appends further information about land acknowledgement, discussion questions, and resources. VERDICT “When we learn about the history of the land we live on, we begin to heal the wounds of our past,” Fairbanks encourages. Podemski gently but firmly emphasizes that need to know.

Faruqi, Reem. The House Without Lights: A Glowing Celebration of Joy, Warmth, and Home. narrated by Nazia Chaudhry. 6 min. Macmillan Young Listeners. Sept. 2024. $1.99. ISBN 9781250362216.
PreS-Gr 3–Faruqi and Chaudhry reunite to (indirectly) celebrate Eid after collaborating on Amira’s Picture Day. The star here is House, initially empty, longing to be like other homes lit up with “colorful lamps for Diwali,” “flickering menorah candles for Hanukkah,” “glowing” trees for Christmas. When Huda and her family move in, House eagerly awaits “its turn to shine.” Despite “the buttery cardamom smell of Amma’s golden rice,” House still feels “dull, dark, and dreary.” The doorbell’s ringing on Christmas Day makes House “giggle” as hordes of relatives arrive, although Amma and Abba leave for work “so our friends can celebrate with their families.” The joyful energy almost lets House forget its lightlessness because inside, it is warm and cozy with its new family. Besides, House’s turn to shine is coming—for Eid. VERDICT An enhancing musical background soundtrack complements Chaudhry’s welcoming narration, hoping, promising, reveling.

Havrelock, Deidre. The Heartbeat Drum: The Story of Carol Powder, Cree Drummer and Activist. narrated by Kyla Garcia. 11 min. Recorded Bks. Sept. 2024. $7.99. ISBN 9798892747974.
PreS-Gr 3–Indigenous Latina Garcia (Taíno) vibrantly narrates (and chants) Havrelock’s (Cree) biography of Carol Powder (Cree), whose Moshum (grandfather) emboldened her to become a drummer and activist: “Women first made the drum. In the sound of a mother’s heartbeat, and now you must learn to drum so that our music can continue.” But Moshum also warned, “our ways will change—women will not be accepted. You are going to help bring women back to the drum,” because drumming is the path to healing. Moshum’s prescient words prove true: Powder instructs the children and performs with other women, but they are not welcome. “She knew women gave life to the drum. And she understood that it was time to speak up.” Surprising at book’s end is the inclusion of Apahelandra’s (Oneida) illustrator’s note—undoubtedly urging a read-along for multisensory enrichment. VERDICT Garcia rhythmically underscores Havrelock’s robust reclamation of Indigenous women’s voices.

Hudson, Wade. The Day Madear Voted. narrated by J.D. Jackson. 8 min. Listening Library. Jul. 2024. $5. ISBN 9780593866993.
Gr 1-5–“On this morning in 1969, our mother was going to vote for the very first time.” After decades of destructive Jim Crow laws, Madear was “so ready to vote.” With her two boys Ralph and Charlie in tow, the trio head to city hall—where not everyone is welcoming. “We could tell she was feeling nervous when she began to fuss with her purse,” her older son notices. But Madear won’t be deterred, then or every Election Day that follows. Fast forward to 2008 when Barack Obama becomes the first Black man elected U.S. President. Madear knows that the hard-won right to vote should never be taken for granted. VERDICT Jackson smoothly channels the observant young narrator, his inquisitive brother Charlie, and their proud and determined Madear, as Hudson transforms history into an empowering, joyful family affair.

Kim, Cheryl. Wat Takes His Shot: The Life & Legacy of Basketball Hero Wataru Misaka. narrated by Kurt Kanazawa. 20 min. Recorded Bks. Jun. 2024. $7.99. ISBN 9798892742115.
K-Gr 4–Kanazawa moves effortlessly between thoughtful explication to potent excitement and ferocious taunts, all equally necessary to embody the life of Japanese American Wataru Misaka (1923–2019). Despite relentless racist barriers, Wat became the first non-white player to join the Basketball Association of America, precursor to the NBA: the New York Knicks drafted Misaka in 1947. His journey meant overcoming significant challenges, particularly stemming from virulent racism. His late father’s encouragement always reverberated: “Gambatte. Do your best.” When 122,000 Americans of Japanese descent were unjustly imprisoned during WWII, Misaka’s immediate family in his native Utah was spared; friends and other family were not. Wat served in the U.S. military, interviewing Hiroshima survivors. Misaka tenaciously led the way for future generations of basketball greats—“hoopers of hope.” Kim’s author’s note reveals how, at age 93, Misaka willingly shared his experiences with her. VERDICT Kanazawa deftly ciphers a hero’s inspiring story.

Mishra, Anita. Once Upon a Diwali. narrated by Sneha Mathan. 14 min. (Holidays in Our Home). Dreamscape Media. Sept. 2024. $9.99. ISBN 9781666673265.
PreS-Gr 4–Although Riya loves the tasty sweets Mama makes for Diwali, she “shivers thinking about the dark night and the very loud fireworks of Diwali.” Riya enjoys many aspects of the five-day “celebration of light over darkness and good over evil”—treats, gatherings with family and friends, decorations—but she’d rather hide from the “dark, spooked, crowded, and loud” nighttime festivities. When Mama tells her the story of Diwali—about the courage of beloved Prince Ram, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshman—Riya, too, is ready to be brave. Veteran narrator Mathan perfectly embodies anxious young Riya with a sweet, higher pitch; imbues Mama with soft, patient kindness; and gives Riya’s older sister moments of confident encouragement. VERDICT Presciently recorded with plenty of room for page-turns, libraries should offer both print and audio for an enlightening read-along.

Middle Grade

Baptiste, Tracey. Boy 2.0. narrated by Ariel Blake. 6:45 hrs. Hachette Audio. Oct. 2024. $24.99. ISBN 9781668643563.
Gr 5-8–“Every hero needs an origin story,” the cover shouts. Inside these tracks, versatile Blake reveals how Win Keegan—he prefers “Coal” because that “nickname [is] a test to see what kind of people he was dealing with”—discovered his superpower. In between, Baptiste brilliantly intertwines all the reasons why a young Black boy needs such advantages to survive—from casual microaggressions to fatal police brutality. Thirteen-year-old Coal has already experienced too much loss. He’s just arrived at another foster home, this time the loud, inquisitive McKays who, for now, have passed the name test. He’s not sure if they’re trustworthy enough to reveal how he turned—uhm, invisible—fleeing a stranger’s gunshot. At least his best friend believes him. But with next-level scientists and the military tracking him, Coal must admit he can’t survive alone. VERDICT Baptiste’s perfect pacing plus Blake’s addictive narration equals a major (can’t resist) Win.

Dorado Romo, David. Borderlands and the Mexican American Story. narrated by Victoria Villarreal. 6:31 hrs. (Race to the Truth). Listening Library. Aug. 2024. $18. ISBN 9780593865927.
Gr 3-7–“Much of Mexican American history has been ignored or erased.” Historian Dorado Romo’s vital antidote is a brilliantly accessible, meticulously documented account, from 23,000-year-old North American footprints to present day, of a “forgotten people” who live between borders. Ironically, tragically, they “didn’t cross the border—rather, the border crossed them”: the Mexican American War’s 1848 surrender treaty made the American Southwest the “largest violent land grab in the history of the United States,” stealing over half of Mexican territory. Much of Mexican and American histories are inseparable: the first “illegal immigrants” were white people into Mexico, the mendacious Texas Creation Myth was a fight for slavery, Mexican Americans enabled the “other underground railroad,” early 19th-century U.S. eugenics movements targeted Mexican Americans (forced sterilization, removal campaigns)—and galvanized Hitler. Recent Latina voice-of-choice Villareal is expertly cast, adroitly modulating her affecting presentation with impressive control. VERDICT An essential acquisition for every library in all media.

Duncan, Violet. Buffalo Dreamer. narrated by Ashley Callingbull. 2:09 hrs. Listening Library. Aug. 2024. $14. ISBN 9780593943236.
Gr 5-6–Callingbull (Enoch Cree)—the first Indigenous woman to win Miss Universe Canada in July 2024—makes her audiobook debut, seamlessly capturing all the moods of 12-year-old Summer, from tween attitude to awestruck respect and wonder. Summer’s family road-trips annually from Arizona to Northern Alberta to visit their Canadian Cree family. Lately, she’s been haunted by vivid dreams of a girl called Buffalo Dancer, who might be in terrible danger. The visit coincides with a commemorative march confronting the horrors of residential schools, created to destroy Indigenous families and their cultures. “I wish I knew more about it, but a lot of my history is like this—hard to learn about because most people don’t want to talk about it.” Silence is no longer an option. VERDICT Duncan’s (Plains Cree and Taino) 2024 National Book Award finalist nod means libraries should prepare for increasing demand in all formats.

Jones, Dan SaSuWeh. Stealing Little Moon: The Legacy of the American Indian Boarding Schools. narrated by Dan SaSuWeh Jones, Shaun Taylor-Corbett & Denise Lajimodiere. 6:10 hrs. (Scholastic Focus). Scholastic Audio. Sept. 2024. $14.95. ISBN 9781546154280.
Gr 4-7–Filmmaker/artist Jones’s (Ponca Nation) family’s experiences at the Chilocco Indian Agricultural School in Oklahoma began with theft: in 1885, his then-four-year-old grandmother was stolen from her family and forced to learn white ways to survive. She was stripped of her name (Little Moon There Are No Stars Tonight), language, culture—her very identity. Jones explores the Indian boarding school years (1884–1980) his family endured—his grandmother, his mother and her siblings, his brother and sisters, and his niece all went to Chilocco; Jones wasn’t a student but worked there. Four generations bear witness to Indigenous history in which documented genocide and further attempts at extinction define America’s past. Taylor-Corbett’s (Blackfeet) compelling narration is bookended by poet/professor Lajimodiere [Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa (Ojibwe)] who reads her own chilling foreword, and Jones himself who solemnly closes the recording. VERDICT Although the target audience is middle grade, all ages will benefit from Jones’s necessary storytelling; Taylor-Corbett adds intimate urgency.

McBride, Amber. Onyx & Beyond. narrated by André Santana. 2:14 hrs. Macmillan Young Listeners. Oct. 2024. $19.99. ISBN 9781250365873.
Gr 3-7–In 1968 Alexandria, VA, “home” for young Onyx includes “Mama & Gran & Me”—and his 25 rocks. Two years later, Gran “has gone to the sky” and 10-year-old Onyx has become Mama’s caretaker for her early-onset dementia. Its progression means that besides school, Onyx cooks, shops, launders, and hopes no one will notice he’s not okay—not even his Pops, cousins, or other grandmother for fear of losing Mama forever. The world, meanwhile, doesn’t stop for a young Black boy: “It’s strange to me that things that are dark are bad./ Black hole./ Blackout./ Black death./ Black cat./ Blacklisted.” Remembering Gran’s stories of enslaved ancestors flying to freedom, Onyx, too, tries to fly to get the moonstone to save Mama. Santana is a gently emotive cipher, empathically channeling a young boy’s wishful determination. VERDICT McBride’s verse novel, inspired by her father’s life, gets an aural uplift from the accomplished Santana.

Safadi, Shifa Saltagi. Kareem Between. narrated by Peter Romano. 3:22 hrs. Listening Library. Sept. 2024. $14. ISBN 9780593944813.
Gr 3-7–In fall 2016, Kareem begins seventh grade feeling alone. His best friend moved, and he didn’t make the football team. When the quarterback—who’s also the coach’s son—offers him a redemptive chance to join the Spring Squad, Kareem’s hopeful yes is an agreement to cheat by doing racist bully Austin’s homework. Life at home isn’t much better, especially after his mother returns to Syria, hoping to bring his ill grandfather to the U.S. for treatment. The chaos of her leaving is replaced by the devastation of separation with the 2017 Muslim Ban. Kareem won’t stay silent—his voice has the power to do right and really win. Syrian American actor Romano infuses Syrian American Safadi’s novel in verse with gentle strength and steely tenacity, seamlessly projecting typical middle school drama amid global issues affecting millions. VERDICT Romano expertly elevates National Book Award winner Safadi’s already insightful narrative with genuine warmth and enduring impact.

Salazar, Aida. Ultraviolet. narrated by Alejandro Antonio Ruiz. 2:53 hrs. Scholastic Audio. Aug. 2024. $24.99. ISBN 9781546118695.
Gr 5 Up–“Who invented love, anyway?” this verse novel queries. “Had to be a girl, right?” Elio, 13, quips—until Camelia sparks emotions that transform his world into “Ultraviolet./ Glow-in-the-dark outrageous.” First love is all extremes, especially when first breakup means “everything is wrong.” Pops tells him “Manning up is good for you” and drags him to a vicious cockfight; Moms declares she’s “raising [him] to be a feminist,” an ally against toxic masculinity. Pops works to shed “old-school Mexican beliefs” by joining the Brothers Rising circle for fathers and sons. When Camelia is victimized by a manipulative new boyfriend, Elio’s anger is unstoppable. Bilingual Latine actor Ruiz perceptively embodies Elio’s growth, adapting from wondrous to devastated, questioning to resolved. They’re equally affecting as Elio’s supporting cast, particularly his younger “mocosa sisters,” his evolving Pops, toxic Chava; piano notes occasionally underscore Elio’s full-of-feelings experiences. VERDICT Ruiz provides well-balanced entertainment and enlightenment.

Young Adult

Fahmy, Huda. Huda F Are You? narrated by Huda Fahmy & Full Cast. 53 min. Listening Library. Jul. 2024. $10. ISBN 9780593948705.
Gr 6-10–This and sequel Huda F Cares? comprise a trilogy (the third book pubs April 2025, although that audio hasn’t yet been announced); Fahmy and a full-cast production narrate her marvelous graphic titles gone aural. Of course, only Fahmy could be herself: “your friendly neighborhood Arab-Muslim hijab-wearing American whatever” who agonizes over being the new kid when her parents move the family to Dearborn, MI, which has “more ‘community.’” Fitting in seems like an impossible challenge; even her grades (“being smart is kinda my thing”) start dropping as racism permeates the classroom and administration. Somehow, she’s “gonna be fine.” Supporting Fahmy is a vast cast (plus enhancing background soundtrack): standouts include Aixa Kay as demanding but loving Mama; Rand Faris as confident confidante Nabz; Mark Sanderlin as laid-back Joe; and Beth Hicks, Pete Cross, and Jesse Vilinsky as the (mostly) odious powers-that-(shouldn’t) be. VERDICT Libraries should ensure this aural gift is easily accessible to all tweens and teens.

Fahmy, Huda. Huda F Cares? narrated by Huda Fahmy & Full Cast. 58 min. Listening Library. Jul. 2024. $14.95. ISBN 9780593948729.
Gr 7 Up–Fahmy’s second volume of her not-quite-autobiographical trilogy (Huda F Wants to Know? pubs April 2025) was a 2023 National Book Award finalist—deservedly so, but it’s possibly even better as a full-cast audiobook. With freshman year finished, Huda’s summer includes AP work, an eyeball appointment (contacts, finally!)—and fulfilling Mama’s mission “to strengthen our sisterly bond” because, as Mama relentlessly reminds, “friends come and go, but your sisters are forever.” The five daughters get the perfect opportunity to practice what Mama preaches on a surprise trip to Disneyland. Mama’s draconian rules continue to apply there, but compliance is challenging: “You bring us to a place known for its stories about kids disobeying their parents, but you still expect us to fit in your perfect bubbles?” Maybe not so much, but Mama’s not wrong about sisters. VERDICT Fabulous full-cast continuity from Huda F Are You? guarantees another spectacular aural delight.

Namey, Laura Taylor. With Love, Echo Park. narrated by Frankie Corzo. 9:29 hrs. S. & S. Audio. Aug. 2024. $25.99. ISBN 9781668126196.
Gr 7 Up–Cuban Americans Namey and Corzo reunite for a second convincing outing after A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow. LA’s Echo Park neighborhood is losing its Cuban American community. Clary, 17, is determined she’ll keep her family’s florist shop afloat, unlike Emilio from the bike shop who’s leaving after graduation. Clary and Emilio grew up together, but they’re not exactly friends: she’s Thorn, he’s Wheels—“I’m the sharp-edged part of his day, and he’s a force rigged for motion.” And then a half-sister Clary never knew about appears with news their mother—who abandoned a 10-day-old Clary—wants to reconnect. Raised by her father and Cuban grandparents, Clary has never lacked for love, but honesty is in limited supply. The very person Clary thought least likely to listen turns out to understand her best. VERDICT Corzo’s usual earnestness strikes just the right tone for an unsettled Clary facing life-altering revelations and decisions.

Ogle, Rex. Road Home. narrated by Ramón de Ocampo. 6:59 hrs. Recorded Bks. Jun. 2024. $19.99. ISBN 9798892741811.
Gr 10 Up–Chameleonic de Ocampo returns as Ogle’s chosen cipher to conclude his lauded memoir series—Free Lunch, Punching Bag, plus companion Abuela, Don’t Forget Me—with empathic familiarity. At 17, Ogle lives with his father, stepmother, and stepsister, working at Walmart before college starts. He’s cruelly ejected when his father learns he’s gay. Unable to turn to his abusive mother or his beloved, but ultra-religious, grandmother, Ogle heads to New Orleans with only the phone number of a virtual stranger with whom he shared a first kiss on a recent vacation. Russell, notably older at 31, initially welcomes Ogle, but the relationship ends with brutal violation, leaving Ogle homeless and hopeless. De Campo embodies Ogle as an aching, lost soul; he’s equally convincing as Ogle’s truculent father, his mournful stepsister, unpredictable Russell, and, of course, tender Abuela. VERDICT Libraries should provide all volumes in all formats.

Ostertag, Molly Knox. The Deep Dark: A Graphic Novel. narrated by Eva Reign, Elena Rey, Annette Amelia Oliviera & Full Cast. 1:46 hrs. Scholastic Audio. Aug. 2024. $20.99. ISBN 9781546144922.
Gr 8 Up–An impressive full cast transforms Ostertag’s terrific graphic novel into a rousingly immersive experience, complete with text swooshing, screaming, and even a bit of caroling. Mags is still in high school, but too many responsibilities utterly exhaust her. Her grandmother is bedbound, her mother is moving out, she’s got a job, she’s confusedly hooking up with a girl who has a boyfriend. And then there’s the secret trapped in the basement. As if she didn’t have enough complications, childhood friend Nessa appears unannounced and, wow, has she changed. Although their long-ago bond is still there, Mags knows she’s too tied down by obligations—not to mention her “monster”—to let Nessa in. Elena Rey as Mags and Eva Reign as Nessa command most of the remarkable production, reuniting, reacquainting—and (reluctantly) falling in love. VERDICT Ostertag’s perfect pages get splendidly adapted for an impeccable aural experience.

Reynolds, Jason. Twenty-Four Seconds from Now…: A LOVE Story. narrated by Guy Lockard. 4:13 hrs. S. & S. Audio. Oct. 2024. $17.99. ISBN 9781668118689.
Gr 9 Up–Reynolds’s grew-up-together BFF Lockard provides another revelatory performance, this time centering teen love—but also consent, bodily autonomy, and (hello, book banners!) sex positivity. Neon and Aria have been together for 24 months. Their relationship is about to change significantly in those titular 24 seconds—if Neon can calm his nerves and exit the bathroom back to Aria. Reynolds magically rolls back time—24 minutes, 24 hours, 24 days—to trace the duo’s meet-cute to solid couplehood, while also accentuating their multidimensional individuality. Listeners also get to meet their families and friends. Lockard ensures each character is wholly memorable: “don’t bring no babies home” dad, few-filters mom, and fast-talking buddy Dodo prove particularly unforgettable. VERDICT Lockard narrates this novel, yes, but he also charms, laughs, cringes, growls, hopes, sings, and gloriously preaches to create another captivating one-man show.

Ribay, Randy. Everything We Never Had. narrated by Ramón de Ocampo & others. 6:42 hrs. Listening Library. Aug. 2024. $20. ISBN 9780593866733.
Gr 9 Up–Four Filipino American narrators distinctly enliven four generations of Filipino American fathers and sons in Ribay’s 2024 National Book Award longlist title. Veteran de Ocampo leads as teen Filipino immigrant progenitor Francisco—“Not a man. No longer a boy. Maybe more so a ghost”—who becomes a respected labor organizer; he also displays his aural versatility with even minor characters. JB Tadena is truculent Emil who eschews connection to his mostly missing father Francisco and, by extension, his Filipino roots. Manny Jacinto is simmering Chris who needs to escape Emil’s control, estranging his father further by showing interest in his Filipino heritage. Jesse Inocalla is anxious Enzo who bridges the silence with grandfather Emil when he reluctantly moves in during the global pandemic. Ribay nimbly interweaves recurring themes of anti-Asian violence, identity, trenchant racism, destructive generational dysfunction. VERDICT With another NBA-listed nod, libraries should prepare for increased demand in all formats.

Ruiz, Rudy. The Border Between Us. narrated by Eddie Lopez. 9:09 hrs. Blackstone. Aug. 2024. $22.95. ISBN 9798212545730.
Gr 9 Up–Fifth-grader Ramón considers foregoing his private education for the shiny new Evel Knievel bike his parents can’t afford, but his dad tells him, “the best thing I can give you...is an education.” Ramón lives on the U.S./Mexico border. His father works on both sides of the divide selling tires (and helping undocumented immigrants), while his mother cares for his disabled younger brother. His family’s struggles feed his tenacity to achieve—and youthful prayers to “grow up to be rich.” His father encourages risks but warns against “dangerous shortcuts.” Ramón works hard, winning a scholarship to a prestigious NYC arts program—creating another border between his family and culture. Bilingual Spanish American actor Lopez is Ramón’s thoughtful proxy, embodying his journey from enterprising tween to newbie New Yorker to prodigal returnee. VERDICT Lopez provides aural gravitas to Ruiz’s coming-of-age novel.

Turk, Mariko. I’ll Be Waiting for You. narrated by Sarah Skaer. 8:42 hrs. Hachette Audio. Apr. 2024. $24.99. ISBN 9781668636701.
Gr 8 Up–Only death can separate BFFs Natalie and Imogen—which devastatingly happens when Imogen suddenly dies on the last night of their annual summer trip. A year later, Natalie’s convinced she’s “fine” enough to return to their favorite Harlow Hotel, a haunted landmark where she plans to film an audition tape for ghost-hunting show Ghost Chasers as her senior project. Working with Leander, nobody’s favorite killjoy for his insulting “Truth Hurts” column in their school paper, isn’t ideal, but his project is also of the (anti-)spiritualist variety. When the local medium insists Imogen is back, Leander shows he’s more ally than annoyance. Like Natalie, both Turk and Skaer share mixed-race Japanese backgrounds. Most of Skaer’s narration is just fine, although accents are not her specialty (her “German-accented voice” isn’t); adding undetermined accents proves unnecessary. Uneven insertions also suggest lazy production. VERDICT Reading over listening is likely the better choice.

Williams, Kalela. Tangleroot. narrated by Maggie Thompson. 11:14 hrs. Macmillan Young Listeners. Oct. 2024. $26.99. ISBN 9781250373212.
Gr 10 Up–Noni Reid has a summer theatrical internship planned before starting at Boston University in the fall. Her mother, a Black literature scholar, demands otherwise: Dr. Radiance Castine insists Noni accompany her to rural Virginia where she’ll assume the presidency of Stonepost College. High among Radiance’s priorities is renaming the institution for Cuffee Fortune, its enslaved, original builder—and her ancestor. Abandoning Boston for (reclaiming) Tangleroot Plantation is bad enough for Noni, but the predominantly white town where Radiance grew up is hardly welcoming of either mother or daughter. Of course, many secrets—damaging and enlightening—are waiting to be revealed. Thompson enhances Williams’s propulsive narrative, untangling the community’s complex roots stifled by entrenched racism and horrific violence. Thompson also insightfully embodies Noni’s trajectory, from angry teen to proudly understanding daughter and astutely aware young adult; she’s equally adept at creating Magnolia’s residents, both heinous and helpful. VERDICT Once begun, listeners will find Thompson unstoppable.

Yang, Andrew. The Ping-Pong Queen of Chinatown. narrated by Austin Ku. 8:14 hrs. HarperAudio. Jul. 2024. $23.99. ISBN 9780063340442.
Gr 9 Up–For an across-the-country talking head on screen, Mr. Chin has way too much influence on Felix’s future. Hired by his Ivy-obsessed parents to guide his college applications, Mr. Chin’s exhortations to stand out lead Felix to make a movie of his own—after starting a school film club (bonus: only other member Gaspard turns out to be a great friend), then casting quixotic Cassie, who twice bested him (in piano and ping-pong), as his leading lady. Over the course of junior year, Felix learns Very Important Lessons about friendship, boundaries, empathy, and—perhaps for the first time—his own true self. Actor Ku’s narration tends toward muted, reflecting the weight of other’s people’s—particularly his immigrant parents’—expectations on Felix. Additional characterizations veer close to ineffective caricatures: overly nasal Gaspard, high-pitched Mom, flighty Cassie. VERDICT Better than a listen, Yang deserves a solid read.

Terry Hong was LJ’s 2016 Reviewer of the Year for Fiction and Audio.