School Library Journal» Books on Tape

Pick of the Day: The Fire Chronicle: The Books of Beginning, Bk. 2 (Audiobook)

SLJ — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:00:07 +0000

The Fire Chronicle: The Books of Beginning, Book 2. By John Stephens. 10 CDs. 12:22 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-307-87982-0. $37.
Gr 4-7–In The Emerald Atlas (2011), the first book in John Stephens’s series, we met Kate, Michael, and Emma who were searching for their missing parents and got caught up in a magical adventure that nearly turned deadly, tested their family bonds, and gained them the first Book. In this second title (2012, both Knopf), the children are back and older sister, Kate, is hurled backwards through time to the day when the magic and the mundane worlds separated. Her new friend is not all that he seems. In the meantime, Michael and Emma go to the South Pole and discover a strange world hidden underground. Michael rescues a princess, discovers that elves can be annoying but make useful allies, faces a dragon, and finds himself the master of the Book of Life. This enables him to perform acts of amazing mercy and magic, but at a tremendous personal cost. There is great joy, and great loss. The fantastic Jim Dale narrates the story with élan, creating not only unique voices but complete personalities for each character. He keeps things moving along at a brisk pace, immersing listeners in the narrative and bringing it all to life. Fans are sure to enjoy this fabulous production.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA

Pick of the Day: The Freedom Maze (Audiobook)

SLJ — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:00:22 +0000

The Freedom Maze. By Delia Sherman. 8 CDs. 8:19 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-499-01463-9. $55.
Gr 5-8–Sophie’s mother drops her off to spend the summer at her grandmother’s house in the Louisiana Bayou. Once a prolific sugar plantation, the property is derelict and overgrown. In the garden, Sophie discovers a maze, now in ruins, much like Sophie’s life since her parents’ divorce. It’s 1960, and the stigma of the divorce, combined with her parents’ self-centered and erratic behavior, has shaken Sophie to the core. When an impish creature appears and grants Sophie’s wish for family and adventure, she is whirled 100 years into the past. Mistaken for a slave, Sophie is drawn into a life where she must fight for respect, human compassion, and the minimal “rights” she is allowed. Sherman’s novel (Big Mouth, 2011) looks at the issues of racial identity and stereotypes through the lens of the 1860’s and 1960’s, causing listeners to reflect on the same issues today. She delivers a classic fantasy reminiscent of the magical tales Sophie loves to read. This marvelous story is narrated by Robin Miles who brings a distinct and memorable voice to each character, adroitly handling a wide range of dialects and voices, all of which ring true to the setting and era. A feisty heroine, mystical creature, and time travel, masterfully combined with a rich historical context and deep social and political statements, create a compelling story that will stay with listeners.–Lisa Hubler, Charles F. Brush High School, Lyndhurst, OH

Pick of the Day: Son (Audiobook)

SLJ — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 14:00:08 +0000

Son. By Lois Lowry. 7 CDs. 8:11 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-449-01448-6. $47.
Gr 6 Up–Those frustrated over the ambiguous ending of Lowry’s The Giver (1993) will be thrilled with the conclusion (2012, both Houghton Mifflin) to the quartet. Listeners are brought full circle, returning to the fate of Gabriel, the little baby saved from “release” by Jonas. The story begins with Claire, who emerges from unconsciousness following a difficult birth to find that her child (or product) has been cut from her, and she has been “decertified.” In the haste to get her to a new assignment, no one has bothered to supply her with the pills that everyone must take to keep them from feeling things. Claire develops an intense longing to find her son, leading her on a daunting and epic journey that weaves together the worlds and characters of the first three novels. Bernadette Dunne’s whispery voice is perfectly suited to this dramatic, satisfying tale. Whether portraying the naive 14-year-old Claire or the evil Trademaster, Dunne captures the very essence of the characters. Lowry has again created a powerful tale rich with themes like sacrifice, loss, the importance of memory, and the restorative power of empathy that will elicit exciting classroom discussions. A must-have for all libraries with audio collections.–Lisa Hubler, Charles F. Brush High School, Lyndhurst, OH

Pick of the Day: The Diviners (Audiobook)

SLJ — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:00:24 +0000

The Diviners. By Libba Bray. 15 CDs. 15:15 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-449-80875-7. $60.
Gr 10 Up–Printz winner Libba Bray’s latest literary masterpiece (Little, Brown, 2012) is stunning, suspenseful, and sure to leave listeners utterly breathless. Thoroughly modern flapper Evie O’Neill’s psychic ability to divine secrets from inanimate objects gets her exiled from her stuffy Ohio town. Sent to stay with her Uncle Will in Prohibition-era New York City, the last thing Evie expects is to be thrown headlong into a terrifying, and seemingly paranormal, serial murder mystery. Crime scene evidence leads Evie to believe the killer is John Hobbes, a religious leader and madman who was hanged for murder 50 years ago. It seems “Naughty John” has returned from the grave to complete a deadly ritual to bring about the apocalypse. Evie believes her abilities can help stop this killer. But there are others with unique powers as well, including a clairvoyant child and a man with healing powers. Circumstances gradually draw these Diviners together. Are they strong enough to stop the evil that’s been unleashed? Not for the faint of heart, this spellbindingly creepy ghost story will keep listeners enthralled long into the night—preferably with the lights on. Bray’s writing is brilliant. Intricately detailed storylines interweave perfectly with a cast of richly drawn characters. Period slang and historical details help set the scene. January LaVoy’s exceptional narration skyrockets an already outstanding story to the next level. Characters live and breathe through distinctive voices, complete with accents and dialects. Perfect pacing bestows the story with a constant edge-of-the-seat ambiance. A must-have.–Alissa Bach, Oxford Public Library, MI