spring/summer 2011 recent releases — young & middle grade
spring/summer 2011 recent releases — young & middle grade
spring/summer 2011 recent releases — young & middle grade
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Middle Grade CD Library<br />
48<br />
THE DAY MY MOTHER LEFT<br />
by James Prosek; read by Joel Johnstone<br />
When Jeremy was <strong>young</strong>, his mother walked<br />
out on his family. As Jeremy struggles to handle<br />
his father’s depression and his sister’s distance,<br />
he finds solace in painting and fishing.<br />
“Joel Johnstone’s artful narration brings the<br />
characters fully alive in this harrowing account<br />
of a family in crisis…An ideal choice for<br />
listeners whose families are in flux.”<strong>—</strong>Booklist<br />
BONUS FEATURE<strong>—</strong>Author Interview<br />
4 CDs • 978-0-7393-4866-6 • $38.00<br />
Grade: RL: 4.0 • IL: 7-12 • LL: NA • 4 hrs. 31 mins.<br />
THE DEATH COLLECTOR<br />
by Justin Richards; read by Steven Pacey<br />
An ordinary pickpocketing incident in<br />
Victorian London unites three teens against a<br />
madman bent on reanimating the dead, both<br />
humans and dinosaurs. One of each is already<br />
terrorizing the streets of London.<br />
“Steven Pacey leads listeners on a breathless<br />
romp through Victorian London.”<br />
<strong>—</strong>School Library Journal<br />
“[Pacey’s] portrayal of the megalomaniac sends<br />
shivers down the spine, and his rendition of Liz<br />
copying Eddie’s cockney accent brings humor<br />
to this gothic adventure.”<strong>—</strong>AudioFile<br />
YALSA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults<br />
6 CDs • 978-0-7393-3564-2 • $50.00<br />
Grade: RL: 5.5 • IL: 5-8 • LL: 800 • 7 hrs. 29 mins.<br />
See page 67 for THE CHAOS CODE<br />
THE DEATH-DEFYING<br />
PEPPER ROUX<br />
by Geraldine McCaughrean<br />
read by Anton Lesser<br />
Pepper Roux’s fourteenth birthday is the day<br />
he’s supposed to die. Everyone seems resigned<br />
to it<strong>—</strong>even Pepper. But at the last minute,<br />
Pepper embarks on a journey to outrun his fate.<br />
“Lesser’s and McCaughrean’s considerable talents<br />
combine to create an even greater whole,<br />
and listeners are whisked along, breathless and<br />
marveling, on Pepper’s grand adventure.”<br />
<strong>—</strong>AudioFile<br />
“Lesser provides fantastic narration of<br />
McCaughrean’s tale, giving the characters distinct<br />
voices and bringing them to life while<br />
complementing the classic, lyrical feel of the<br />
text. Filled with humor and hope, this is a winner.”<strong>—</strong>School<br />
Library Journal<br />
AudioFile Earphones Award<br />
AudioFile Best Audiobook of the Year<br />
6 CDs • 978-0-3077-1211-0 • $39.00<br />
Grade: RL: 6.4 • IL: 4-9 • LL: 920 • 6 hrs. 44 mins.<br />
See page 9 for THE GLORIOUS ADVENTURES<br />
OF THE SUNSHINE QUEEN<br />
THE DEVIL’S BREATH<br />
Danger Zone #1<br />
by David Gilman; read by David Thorn<br />
Max’s life is turned upside down when an<br />
assassin attempts to kill him. After escaping,<br />
Max learns that his father is missing. Whoever<br />
is behind the disappearance of Max’s dad is<br />
determined to get rid of Max too.<br />
“Nonstop action and a wide array of wellvoiced<br />
characters make for pleasurable listening.”<strong>—</strong>AudioFile<br />
★“David Thorn reads with perfect timing<br />
and expression…his narration is excellent<br />
…reluctant readers will be lining up for this<br />
one.”<strong>—</strong>School Library Journal, starred review<br />
9 CDs • 978-0-7393-7272-2 • $55.00<br />
Grade: RL : 6.3 • IL: 5-9 • LL: NA • 11 hrs. 23 mins.<br />
A DOG FOR LIFE<br />
by L. S. Matthews; read by Brian Butler<br />
You’ve maybe heard the story about how<br />
John Hawkins “ran away with his pet dog.” But<br />
the truth is that John and Mouse, the pet dog,<br />
left to save Tom.<br />
“Brian Butler’s distinctive baritone and sure,<br />
fully voiced performance enhance the story...”<br />
<strong>—</strong>School Library Journal<br />
“The format lends itself to audio, and Butler’s<br />
British accent fits nicely with the setting.”<br />
<strong>—</strong>Booklist<br />
3 CDs • 978-0-7393-3799-8 • $30.00<br />
Grade: RL: 5.2 • IL: 3-8 • LL: 910 • 3 hrs. 48 mins.<br />
See page 50 for FISH<br />
A DOG’S LIFE<br />
The Autobiography of a Stray<br />
by Ann M. Martin; read by Wendy Dillon<br />
Squirrel the dog is forced to make her own<br />
way in the world after her mother and her<br />
brother are taken away from her. However,<br />
Squirrel makes two friends, who, in very<br />
different ways, define her fate.<br />
“Wendy Dillon makes certain that listeners will<br />
feel the relief and slow-emerging joy Squirrel<br />
experiences.”<strong>—</strong>Publishers Weekly<br />
“The nuances in her voice create images that<br />
range from carefree to bittersweet. Squirrel’s life<br />
story is told with acceptance and a poignant<br />
grace.”<strong>—</strong>AudioFile<br />
AudioFile Earphones Award<br />
4 CDs • 978-0-3072-8347-4 • $38.00<br />
Grade: RL: 5.1 • IL: 4-7 • LL: 870 • 4 hrs. 20 mins.<br />
See pages 47, 51, 57, and 95 for more titles by<br />
Ann M. Martin<br />
DOLPHIN SONG<br />
by Lauren St. John; read by Adjoa Andoh<br />
Martine and her grandmother are enjoying a<br />
beautiful walk along the beach when they<br />
find a dying dolphin. Martine uses her gift of<br />
healing to help it back to the ocean. Thus<br />
begins the start of a brand new adventure for<br />
Martine.<br />
“Adjoa Andoh’s full-throttled delivery…is a<br />
standout in a consistently fine recording.”<br />
<strong>—</strong>Publishers Weekly<br />
5 CDs • 978-0-7393-6331-7 • $38.00<br />
Grade: RL: 6.2 • IL: 5-9 • LL: 980 • 6 hrs. 25 mins.<br />
See page 63 for THE WHITE GIRAFFE<br />
Phone Toll Free 800.733.3000 FAX Toll Free 800.940.7046<br />
DOMINIC<br />
by William Steig<br />
read by Peter Thomas<br />
Dominic is an adventurous dog who leaves<br />
home traveling the road and letting the world<br />
take him where it may. Along the way Dominic<br />
encounters many lively characters and helps<br />
those less-fortunate.<br />
“Peter Thomas’s delivery, laden with portent,<br />
will delight the <strong>young</strong>est listeners, those as<br />
innocent, generous and unsuspecting as<br />
Dominic himself.”<strong>—</strong>AudioFile<br />
Christopher Award: Books for Young People<br />
National Book Award Finalist<br />
3 CDs • 978-0-7393-8082-6 • $30.00<br />
Grade: RL: 5.6 • IL: 3-6 • LL: 900 • 2 hrs. 43 mins.<br />
THE DOOR IN THE WALL<br />
by Marguerite de Angeli<br />
read by Roger Rees<br />
NEWBERY MEDAL<br />
A crippled boy in 14th century England<br />
proves his courage.<br />
“This reading by British actor Roger Rees<br />
evokes the medieval atmosphere of [this]<br />
Newbery award-winning tale.”<br />
<strong>—</strong>School Library Journal<br />
“The unabridged production is simple,<br />
elegant, robust and finely crafted in every<br />
way...Well-conceived, well-produced, wellperformed.”<strong>—</strong>AudioFile<br />
2 CDs • 978-0-7393-6449-9 • $24.00<br />
Grade: RL: 6.5 • IL: 4-6 • LL: 990 • 2 hrs. 36 mins.<br />
THE DOOR OF NO RETURN<br />
by Sarah Mussi; read by Dominic Hoffman<br />
Zac’s grandfather has always told him he’s<br />
the descendant of African kings, whose treasure<br />
was stolen when his ancestors were sold<br />
into slavery. Zac never believed this tale until<br />
his grandfather is murdered. Now Zac must<br />
uncover the truth about the past and save his<br />
own life by going to Gana.<br />
“Hoffman keeps suspense taut as Zac faces<br />
eerie memories, fights British government officials,<br />
and flees to Ghana to discover his royal<br />
link and understand the horrors of the early<br />
slave trade. Jamaican and British accents and<br />
slang make Zac’s street life vivid.”<strong>—</strong>AudioFile<br />
“In a dramatic reading, Hoffman constructs<br />
and maintains a range of voices…This audio is<br />
an engaging possibility for listeners who might<br />
find a 400-page book too overwhelming.”<br />
<strong>—</strong>Booklist<br />
9 CDs • 978-0-7393-6735-3 • $60.00<br />
Grade RL: 5.2 • IL: 5-12 • LL: 710 • 10 hrs. 48 mins.<br />
DRAGONSDALE<br />
by Salamanda Drake<br />
read by Jill Shilling<br />
Dragonsdale is the place you can find a<br />
group of <strong>young</strong> girls busy grooming beautiful<br />
dragons to get them ready for competition.<br />
This stable is run by Cara’s father, but Cara is<br />
strictly forbidden to fly. Yet she cannot resist<br />
the lure of the magical fire-breathing creatures,<br />
and so she trains in secret to compete.<br />
“Narrator Shilling is a wonderful storyteller<br />
who speaks in a measured pace and clear<br />
tones...This will have great appeal for <strong>young</strong><br />
fantasy fans, especially girls.”<strong>—</strong>Booklist<br />
5 CDs • 978-0-7393-5098-0 • $45.00<br />
Grade: RL: 5.7 • IL: 2-5 • LL: 900 • 5 hrs. 50 mins.