As 2025 progresses, we may all need more-than-the-usual anecdotal reminders that kindness matters, resilience is powerful, justice will triumph. Let these titles, all published this year, provide inspiration, comfort, and even temporary escape from the exhausting reality of damaging headlines and inequitable challenges. Because hope springs eternal, right?

Early Elementary

Bridges, Ruby. Ruby Bridges: A Talk with My Teacher. narrated by Ruby Bridges & Grace Capeless. 41 min. Scholastic Audio. Mar. 2025. $6.99. ISBN 9781546173595.
PreS-Gr 3–Capeless returns to voice Bridges’s latest picture book memoir after I Am Ruby Bridges, deftly mixing childlike wonder and deep concern as young Ruby “anxiously” begins second grade in 1960. This year is immediately different—no U.S. Marshals, no screaming protesters, the welcoming presence of other Black students. “Finally, a regular school!” After the summer separation, Ruby can’t wait to see her teacher and “best friend,” Mrs. Henry, but is disconcerted to learn she’s no longer teaching at the school. Fast forward to 1995 when “all grown up” Bridges resonantly, solemnly takes the mic. The first published book about her wins 27 awards and makes her a nationally recognized icon. Fame also engenders a reunion with beloved Mrs. Henry, turning Bridges’s narration joyfully buoyant. A second reading with page turns encourages a heartening read-along. Author’s note and “teacher glossary” append both readings. VERDICT Libraries should enable an immersive, illuminating experience by offering both memoirs in all formats.

Cortez, Rio. The ABCs of Women’s History. narrated by Sabine Galbis-Kuffner, Sybil Chanin & Florentino Azores Hanna-Sta. Ana. 15 min. Hachette Audio. Jan. 2025. $4.99. ISBN 9781668646601.
Gr 3 Up–While a single notable voice—Bahni Turpin—narrated Cortez’s previous bestseller, The ABCs of Black History, three very young readers take turns here, not always successful in tackling complex vocabulary and multi-syllabic names (Malala Yousafzai particularly stands out as challenging). Galbis-Kuffner and Chanin are charmingly convincing (for the most part) with “activists” and “bookish,” all the way to “zeal” and “zooms.” Hanna-Sta. Ana, clearly the youngest, sweetly giggles through announcing his own name during opening credits and then requires an unnamed older reader to gently pre-read each sentence which he repeats, adorably, yes, but not especially clearly. Mixing genders here seems an empowering reminder that women’s history is everyone’s history. The targeted audience is potentially older than each of the credited narrators; their youth perhaps precludes including the impressively extensive “Terms and Figures” appendix at book’s end—a missed opportunity. VERDICT  More performative than effective, the audiobook will work better as a read-along for younger readers rather than as a compelling stand-alone aural adaptation.

Deedy, Carmen Agra. The Library Dragon: 30th Anniversary Edition. narrated by Carmen Agra Deedy. 15 min. Dreamscape Media. Feb. 2025. $9.99. ISBN 9781666686982.
Gr 1-2–Deedy is her own best narrator here—energetic, emotional, engaged—creating entertaining characterizations throughout, most memorably embodying Miss Lotta Scales, “a real dragon…hired to guard the Library.” Dedicated to order and cleanliness, Miss Scales overzealously fulfills her duties, protecting her precious books through ostracizing isolation. Without even storytime—“simply medieval,” she declares—Miss Scales reluctantly admits, “being a Library Dragon can be such a lonely job.” Until Molly Brickmeyer “accidentally” wanders in, misses the too-high “Do Not Touch The Books” warning, and starts reading aloud, emboldening other kids to tiptoe in to listen. Even Miss Scales eventually participates. When Molly crawls into her lap (without being incinerated), transformation happens. Literally. Although the library is kid-friendly once again, “every librarian needs to be a little bit of a dragon—or else, WHO WOULD GUARD THE BOOKS?” VERDICT Now more than ever, all libraries must install these fiercely fiery librarians.

de la Peña, Matt. Home. narrated by Matt de la Peña. 8 min. Listening Library. Mar. 2025. $5. ISBN 9798217017430.
K-Gr 3–Gentle, rhythmic self-narration by Newbery Medalist de la Peña invites an ideal read-along, encouraging rewarding engagement with artist Loren Long’s sublimely atmospheric illustrations. An enhancing soundtrack shifts from sound effects to friendly laughter and nature’s melodies. “Home is a tired lullaby,” de la Peña opens, “and a late-night traffic that mumbles in through a crack in your curtains.” Home seems aurally highlighted—“faint trumpet of a distant barge,” “jet-engine shrieks,” “eighteen-wheel groan of your father’s big rig.” Despite steel and concrete, homes can be lost to nature’s wrath or challenging hardships, but de la Peña promises “a harbor in love” where family and friends gather to share and nurture each other. “Home is not the voice inside your head insisting, ‘I want, I want, I want.’” Instead, “it’s the thump, thump, thump of the earth’s sentimental song inviting you into the harmony of things.” VERDICT Provide both print and audio bundled together for the warmest welcome Home.

Falcone, Ben. What’s Scarier Than Thunder? narrated by Ben Falcone. 6 min. Listening Library. Mar. 2025. $5. ISBN 9798217017454.
Gr 1-4–An “EXTREMELY SCARY!” storm won’t let Claire sleep. Yelling “Dad!” brings him dashing to her room. “I used to be scared of thunder, too,” he admits. That is, until he “realized there are so many other things much scarier.” First up is a “deadly scorpion named Finn… who plays the violin.” As Claire giggles, Dad insists, he’s just getting started. A custard-bloated moose and a hyena ballerina make Claire ask, “are you sure you know what scarymeans?” Their raucous laughter beckons Mom to join in with more not-quite-frightful-but-delightful tales to share. Until finally, violin-playing Finn lulls Claire into “dream[s] of sweetness and fun.” Director/actor Falcone splendidly self-narrates, effusive with vivacious rhyming fun that expands the hilarity. His tirelessly enthusiastic narration erases every hint of fear. VERDICT Easy access to both print and audio will motivate glorious read-alongs, particularly since Kevin Cornell’s boisterous illustrations shouldn’t be missed.

Lindstrom, Carole. The Gift of the Great Buffalo. narrated by Tiffany Ayalik. 18 min. Bloomsbury. Feb. 2025. $15.75. ISBN 9781547619160.
K-Gr 3–Bestselling Ojibwe-Métis Lindstrom describes her latest work as her “version of the Little House series,” and an antidote to the “deep hurt and confusion” she felt “as a Native child trying to navigate a world that wanted to forget that I existed,” her author’s note reveals. “Being portrayed as a ‘savage’ in a book where I felt an actual kinship to Laura Ingalls was very difficult for me to understand.” Fellow Canadian Ayalik of Inuit descent is Lindstrom’s cipher, providing a soft narration, breathy with emotion embodying young Rose’s experiences at the biannual buffalo hunt, which reunites hundreds of Métis families. Settlers, colonization, and the iron horses have dramatically dwindled the buffalo population, and the men, led by Rose’s father, aren’t able to track any herds. Despite warnings, Rose sets out to scout alone, succeeding where the men failed. Sounds of camp life and nature enhance Ayalik’s affecting performance. VERDICT Between them, Indigenous author and actor reclaim authentic, empowering Native/First Nations history.

Todd, Traci N. Make a Pretty Sound: A Story of Ella Jenkins—The First Lady of Children’s Music. narrated by Channie Waites. 24 min. Recorded Books. Jan. 2025. $7.99. ISBN 9798894861395.
K-Gr 3–The book opens with a time line covering the first half of Ella Jenkins’s life, beginning with her birth in 1924, read respectfully and solemnly by versatile Waites. Her noteworthy performance enlivens with Jenkins as a little girl who “whistles with the birds,” who “want to make a pretty sound.” Waites embodies the rhythms of Jenkins’s Chicago youth—recess rhymes, music from Morocco and India, “every voice an invitation.” Aunt Willie May’s jukebox, Uncle Flood’s Louisiana blues, dazzling Bronzeville where Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway strut and play, feed her musical soul. The decades of her long, peripatetic life beat to a soundtrack that she always shares with the children—music she makes, music she creates—through civil rights battles, victorious celebrations, international explorations. Always, “she can hardly wait—to show the children.” Jenkins’s bio, an author’s note, and the second half of the time line appends. VERDICT Waites ensures the “First Lady of Children’s Music” is clearly, thoroughly, wonderfully heard.

Willard, Christopher & Tara Wosiski. Feelings Are Like Farts. narrated by Tim Campbell. 4 min. Macmillan Young Listeners. Apr. 2025. $1.99. ISBN 9781250386830.
K-Gr 4–“Have you ever noticed? Feelings are a lot like farts.” Well, then. Clinical psychologist Willard and artist/educator Wosiski reveal the endless similarities feelings and farts share. Versatile veteran Campbell narrates thoughtfully, though never judgmentally, and with just a hint of humor because “We all have them. They can linger, but they usually don’t last too long.” Sometimes they’re embarrassing: “You might wish they were private, but they don’t always come out that way.” Sometimes unpredictable: “They might be fast and fiery, other times loud and long.” Stifling isn’t recommended: “It’s not so healthy to hold them in too long. You usually feel better if you just let them out.” Protecting yourself? “If yours or someone else’s are too overwhelming, you might want to take some space until they clear up.” VERDICT This clever, funny approach to feelings (and farts) makes an excellent guide for the youngest children in navigating emotional challenges.

Middle Grade

Arango, Andrea Beatriz. It’s All or Nothing, Vale. narrated by Vico Ortiz. 3:17 hrs. Listening Library. Feb. 2025. $14. ISBN 9798217016013.
Gr 5 Up–Arango’s third novel-in-verse gets aligned representation—author, protagonist, and narrator are all bilingual Puerto Ricans. As talented fencer Vale begins seventh grade, “She looks exactly like the/ tough/ champion/ athlete/ she’s always been.” But a recent motorbike accident means she requires a pink cane (despite her insistence it’s unnecessary) to navigate through excruciating pain: “I’m no quitter,” she insists. Vale’s struggles feel compounded when new girl Myrka steps into the spotlight. Not only is Myrka talented, but she’s also annoyingly nice and maybe even irresistible. Constantly being the angry young athlete proves exhausting; Vale will need to accept some caring and nurturing from unexpected sources, including older brother Manu, ex-bff Stephanie, and even her worst competition, Myrka. Ortiz is a simmering cipher, embodying young Vale’s overwhelming frustration, transforming slowly into something resembling acceptance and hope. VERDICT Hand to tweens and teens, perhaps especially those overwhelmed by unexpected physical challenges.

Kim, Jessica. On Thin Ice. narrated by Will Choi & Shannon Tyo. 5:10 hrs. Listening Library. Feb. 2025. $17.99. ISBN 9798217018956.
Gr 3-7–Two years have passed since 12-year-old fraternal twins Phoebe and Dex lost their father to cancer. Both have skating to help cope: Phoebe figure skates, Dex plays ice hockey. When Phoebe’s partner is injured, her chances of advancing to the next-level invitational seem dashed. Meanwhile, Dex gets cut from the hockey team for goofing off more than working hard. He’s convinced getting the expensive skates his teammates wear will help him get back on the team. His mother cleverly proposes a deal: partner with his sister and she’ll upgrade his skates. Resentful bickering aside, the reluctant pair (re)learn how to be each other’s best champion. Tyo and Choi convincingly alternate the siblings’ chapters—Tyo readily channels Phoebe’s high-strung perfection, while Choi settles comfortably into Dex’s simmering angst. Kim’s devotees will also delight in a Stand Up, Yumi Chung cameo by Mrs. Chung. VERDICT Dynamic duo Tyo and Choi’s she said/he said rapport noticeably enhances Kim’s latest middle grade title.

Marianayagam, Maria. No Purchase Necessary. narrated by Rama Krishna Vallury. 5:29 hrs. HarperAudio. Jan. 2025. $21.99. ISBN 9780063360952.
Gr 5 Up–Indian American actor/comedian Vallury makes his solo audiobook debut, impeccably cast for Sri Lankan Canadian Marianayagam’s first middle grade title. Last year, Ajay was his seventh grade’s Student of the Year. His strict, immigrant Sri Lankan Catholic parents expect the same at his new school. But mistakes keep piling up: he immediately annoys the bully, gets a 79 on his first reading assignment, and is coerced into petty theft at Scary Al’s store. Amazingly, the chocolate bar he swipes turns out to be worth a million dollars. Telling the truth doesn’t seem to be an option, but Ajay knows the multiplying lies are exponentially worse. Vallury imbues Ajay with an affectingly broad range, from vulnerable to frustrated, nervous to angry. He extends his chameleonic charm to Ajay’s smart-beyond-her-years younger sister, Ajay’s tormentor and his “goons,” and he’s particularly memorable as (not-so) Scary Al. VERDICT Remarkable newbie Vallury ensures Marianayagam’s poignantly thought-provoking, heart-grabbing novel gets all the right feels.

Poleksic, Jelena. A Sick History of Medicine: A Warts-and-All Book Full of Fun Facts and Disgusting Discoveries. narrated by Tim Campbell. 45 min. Macmillan Young Listeners. Mar. 2025. $1.99. ISBN 9781250387301.
Gr 3 Up–Of course, illness is never funny. Except maybe when Campbell manages to turn the most putrid diseases (and their not-so-wonderful cures) into an unforgettable performance of ghastly schadenfreude humor. A swingy, jazzy soundtrack keeps the recording entertainingly buoyant, and never mind the immediate warning: “READ ON…IF YOU HAVE THE STOMACH FOR IT!” Some treatments haven’t really changed: for Guinea-worm disease, the worm babies and larvae need to grow over a few years, wriggle out of the skin, and then can be removed—by tugging! Some have changed only a little: long ago poop soup for diarrhea has given way to fecal transplants. And, of course, considerable progress continues: medical glue, staples, and stitches have replaced heads of ants and beetles to close wounds; robo-surgeons, organ transplants, and cloning are just a few of today’s advancements. VERDICT Campbell knows exactly how to treat Canadian physician Poleksic’s medical historical debut.

Rhodes, Jewell Parker. Will’s Race for Home. narrated by Christopher Hampton. 4:19 hrs. Hachette Audio. Jan. 2025. $18.99. ISBN 9781668647417.
Gr 6 Up–Over 400 miles separate Texas, where Will’s family are sharecroppers, from Oklahoma, where a massive land claim is scheduled for April 1889. Father, once enslaved, is determined to make the perilous journey with young Will, aided by their mule, Belle. Despite the dangers ahead—wild animals, weather, terrain—Father knows, post-Civil War, “People are the most worrisome.” But good people also exist, including ex-soldier Caesar who joins father and son partway. Facing and fighting countless adversities, Will must adapt quickly: “A man needs to decide what price he’s willing to pay to live free.” Stage actor Hampton creates a remarkable cast, presenting his young protagonist with a soft, Southern accent, capturing his imminent maturity. He deftly presents distinct characterizations throughout: gruff Grandpa, steely Father, even hee-hawing Belle. Caesar, particularly, is a gravelly voiced wonder. VERDICT Hampton transforms Rhodes’s latest informative historical novel into an unforgettably exhilarating adventure.

van de Vendel, Edward & Anoush Elman. Mishka. tr. from Dutch by Nancy Forest-Flier. narrated by Dalia Ramahi. 1:58 hrs. Recorded Books. Jan. 2025. $8.99. ISBN 9798894862460.
Gr 4 Up–With a sweet, youthful voice, Ramahi becomes nine-year-old Roya, the youngest in a family of Afghan refugees living in the Netherlands. Ramahi is also an affecting cipher for the additional characters, distinguishing each of Roya’s three older brothers, an elderly would-be leporine thief, and even the (racist) “dumb boys from class.” Roya announces, “Every house ought to have a pet,” now that they have their own abode. And so, Mishka the white dwarf rabbit joins the family, becoming the keeper of stories, including the perilous journey to escape their native Afghanistan. When Mishka goes missing, recovering him becomes an all-sibling search that ends in finally feeling at home. Coauthors van de Vendel and Elman found friendship 15 years ago when Elman first arrived in the Netherlands; their joint title draws on Elman’s own family’s experiences. VERDICT This winner of the Netherlands’ national book award for children’s literature also scores an aural victory.

Venkatraman, Padma. Safe Harbor. narrated by Padma Venkatraman. 2:09 hrs. Listening Library. Jan. 2025. $11. ISBN 9798217017690.
Gr 5 Up–Venkatraman, who immigrated alone from India to earn her doctorate in oceanography, returns to the sea in her latest novel-in-verse. She continues her self-narration—this being her fourth so far—lyrically bringing to life a range of characters, each with distinct accents, ages, genders, and backgrounds. “I really want to build a new life here,” declares Geetha’s mother, having left everything familiar after a divorce in India for Rhode Island to pursue her psychology Ph.D. Geetha’s transition proves more difficult, as she painfully realizes “people don’t want to make friends if you’re different.” A chance encounter with local boy Miguel leads to an unexpected seal pup rescue on the nearby beach. Recognizing parallels with Miguel’s story and the seal’s progressive recuperation—and soothed by her beloved flute music—Geetha slowly but surely finds her own safe harbor. VERDICT Enhanced with her personalized aural boost, Venkatraman astutely combines climate and animal advocacy, immigration challenges, and identity awareness with seamlessly inserted recognition for women in STEM.

Watson, Renée. All the Blues in the Sky. narrated by Bahni Turpin. 2:13 hrs. Bloomsbury. Feb. 2025. $15.75. ISBN 9781547612840.
“I DIDN’T KNOW/ best friends could die,” Turpin tenderly opines as 13-year-old Sage in Watson’s superb verse novel. A hit-and-run stole Angel’s life on Sage’s birthday: “a good day… turned into the worst day.” Suffocating guilt exacerbates Sage’s loss: “it’s all my fault.” Her grief, she knows, is different from others in her support group: “They got to say goodbye./ They saw death coming./ But not me.” Allowing vulnerability in new relationships, moving beyond sadness and anger will be an arduous journey. Discovering empathy from unexpected sources, including a possible love interest, opens a path toward healing. Turpin is wondrously affecting throughout, centering Sage’s loss all the way to beginning recovery; Turpin’s lovely laugh as Sage notices subway breakdancers becomes a promise of hope. An author’s note achingly reveals the novel’s provenance of crushing personal loss and crushing personal trauma. VERDICT Turpin gloriously embodies Watson’s truth: “In the midst of sadness and grief, there can be joy and goodness.”

YA

Browne, Mahogany L. A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe. narrated by Mahogany L. Browne, Emana Rachelle & others. 3:38 hrs. Listening Library. Mar. 2025. $15. ISBN 9798217015085.
Gr 7–Browne’s gorgeously heartbreaking, heart-reviving “quilt of stories, poems, fables, and woes circling the moment we all survived” the COVID-19 pandemic magically morphs into a stupendous, polyphonic aural performance via an extensive cast; alas, no credit list appends the recording. Oversight aside, an exquisite aural symphony reveals interconnected glimpses as New York City’s families, communities, and social systems implode. Hyacinth (haunting Chantelle Ramdeen) and Electra (Emana Rachelle in poignant patois) “are two city girls with island roots,” made family by broken foster care, who intermittently reappear as “chorus” because they “have seen it all.” Isolated teen Malachi (stalwart Brandon Miles) must protect his two younger siblings: his father is in prison, and their mother disappears. Tariq (lyrical Kiebpoli Calnek) alone cares for fading Grandma Marigold (internally luxurious Marie-Françoise Theodore). Orphaned Zamira (spunky Ozzie Jacobs) just wants a calico cat to share her loneliness, while older sister Tam (determined Tyla Collier) constantly risks her life as essential delivery staff. Hyacinth’s “farewell” reminder—“We Must Live”—becomes a cri de cœur to tenacious strength. VERDICT This stunning act of resilience and resistance belongs on shelves in all formats.

Burcaw, Shane & Hannah Burcaw. Interabled: True Stories About Love and Disability from Squirmy & Grubs and Other Interabled Couples. narrated by Shane Burcaw, Hannah Burkaw & others. 8:20 hrs. Macmillan Young Listeners. Jan. 2025. $19.99. ISBN 9781250366023.
Gr 10 Up–Married couple Shane and Hannah Burcaw, of the popular Squirmy & Grubs YouTube channel, call “complete bulls*t” on the “ignorant, hateful, and misguided” beliefs that “a disabled life is less worthy or valuable than a nondisabled life.” Wheelchair user Shane with SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) + nondisabled Hannah = interabled love story. They’re not alone: interspersed with their own uplifting journey are other “stories of passion, hilarity, romance, and adventure,” chosen from 600-plus submissions from other interabled couples. The Burcaws both make their audiobook debut as charming ciphers for their invitingly chatty, quippy, conversational interactions. Three additional “professional voice actors who are also disabled”—GM Hakim, Mieko Gavia, Si Chen—take turns expertly embodying 22 lovebird couples of diverse backgrounds including age, ethnicity, culture, orientation, and identities, whose love lives are presented through interviews, Q&As, and adapted narratives. VERDICT Pair with Melissa Blake’s Beautiful People for an empathic, inclusive introduction to the disability experience.

Egan, Leanne. Lover Birds. narrated by Julia Cranney. 8:10 hrs. Scholastic Audio. Feb. 2025. $27.99. ISBN 9781546151692.
Gr 9 Up–Debut YA author Egan and playwright/actor Cranney—both born-and-raised Liverpudlians—present a charming enemies-to-lovers narrative that’s equally a love song to their natal city of Liverpool. Lou—not Eloise which “makes her sound like the heroine in a period drama…and not in a sexy Bridgertonkind of way”—and her friends are tasked with making new girl Isabel from London feel welcome. Their initial encounter leaves Lou “not knowing when to shut up” while Isabel “actually winces.” The two couldn’t be more different: newly neurodiverse-diagnosed, working-class background Lou vs. posh, privileged, closed-off Isabel. Although she’s relatively new to audiobooks, Cranney is an excellent cipher, easily adjusting regional accents, bestowing distinct personalities particularly on messy Lou and controlled Isabel, turning their will-they/won’t-they dance into an aural delight. VERDICT Cranney performs with an addictive energy that’s pure fun, effortlessly creating Egan’s memorable miniverse of diverse young women on the verge of self-discovery.

Liang, Ann. I Am Not Jessica Chen. narrated by Katharine Chin. 9:43 hrs. Harlequin Audio. Jan. 2025. $24.99. ISBN 9781488230554.
Gr 9 Up–“I’ve always had this theory that if I want something badly enough, the universe will make sure to keep it just out of my reach,” Chin longingly narrates, becoming 17-year-old Jenna. On the evening she’s rejected from Harvard while her perennially perfect cousin Jessica gets in, Jenna implores a shooting star, “I wish I was Jessica Chen.” Jenna goes to bed weighted again by her immigrant parents’ disappointment but shockingly wakes the next morning, on the outside, asJessica Chen. Beyond the sudden privileges—wealth, beauty, peer adoration—experiencing the reality under Jessica’s flawless façade might be the only way to save Jenna’s own life. Chin provides a slow-burning, emotive performance, albeit lacking a broader range of primary characterizations; Jenna seems forever resigned, Jessica merely higher-pitched and unconvincingly innocent. VERDICT Regardless of format, Liang’s raw exposé of family dysfunction, performative posturing, and unyielding pressures will ring too true for many contemporary teens.

Mari, Christine. Halfway There: A Graphic Memoir of Self-Discovery. adapt. by Caitlin Garing. narrated by Sara Matsui-Colby, Chieko Hidaka & others. 1:37 hrs. Hachette Audio. Jan. 2025. $14.99. ISBN 9781668644102.
Gr 7 Up–Graphic titles gone aural are their own literary art form. Mari’s exploration of her biracial identity gets an enhancing layer of emotive expression with a full cast, led by Matsui-Colby, who shares Mari’s Japanese/white background and narrates with measured clarity and vulnerability. Mari, who moved at age five from Tokyo to the United States, returns at 19 “knowing exactly what [she] was looking for.” Labeled “half”—and similar variations—all her life left her “destined to have an identity crisis.” Struggling in Japan to master the Japanese language, she’s again “hafu,” deemed too American and not Japanese enough. More lost than ever, she succumbs to isolation and depression. Reaching out for help via her grandmother (patient and kind Hidaka) and starting therapy (with empathic Ellsmore) places her on a journey to feeling whole. VERDICT An expert village of narrators convincingly breathe life into Mari’s expressive, revealing graphic panels.

Pérez, Miriam Zoila. Camila Núñez’s Year of Disasters. narrated by Yenni Ann. 8:46 hrs. Listening Library. Mar. 2025. $23. ISBN 9798217070220.
Gr 9 Up–Queer Cuban American author Pérez’s YA debut is thoughtfully paired with Cuban American voice actor Ann, whose bilingualism is immediately evident as Cuban American protagonist Camila comfortably peppers her first-person narration with plenty of Spanish words. Camila has always spent her summers with her Miami grandparents; at 15, she’s allowed to travel alone from North Carolina. Alas, a toxic romance defines this latest visit, and she returns home with heightened anxiety, further exacerbated by a 16th-birthday gift of tarot cards from her bff Cindy that predict “disasters” will continue—proving prescient when trouble with friendships and family multiply. Camila must learn to command her own hopeful changes. Ann remains a mindful cipher, adroitly acknowledging Camila’s simmering anxiety. She animates energetic, unpredictable Cindy, reveals manipulative Sonia, becomes confident to wary as Devon, warms as liltingly accented abuela. VERDICT A sensitive Cuban coming-of-age gets authentic aural representation.

Zoboi, Ibi. S(Kin). narrated by Bahni Turpin & Robin Miles. 6:15 hrs. HarperAudio. Feb. 2025. $21.99. ISBN 9780063395589.
Gr 7 Up–Turpin and Miles, both aural Zoboi veterans, combine their resonating narrations to voice two teens on the verge of transformative self-discovery. Aurally adapting the format of Zoboi’s novel-in-verse is an intricate intertwining, then overlapping, tracking the interconnectedness between 15-year-old Marisol (Miles, who cues older than 15 and performs with a lyrical Caribbean accent) and 17-year-old Genevieve (Turpin alternates both Brooklyn teenage confidence and angst). Marisol and her mother Lourdes are undocumented Haitian immigrants in need of home and work. Genevieve is the privileged daughter of a white professor and stepmother who has recently given birth to twins. When she’s most needed, Lourdes appears as the nanny, bringing comfort to the difficult babies. Marisol and Genevieve’s meeting and eventual recognition are reflected in chapter headings that become shifting portmanteaus of their conjoined names, revealing their identities as fiery soul-sucking, blood-feasting soucouyants. VERDICT Two powerhouse performers deftly embody this Caribbean folklore-inspired fantasy.

Terry Hong writes SLJ’s quarterly audio column.