spring/summer 2011 recent releases — young & middle grade

WHERE THE MOUNTAIN
MEETS THE MOON
by Grace Lin; read by Janet Song
NEWBERY HONOR
Inspired by the Chinese folktales her father
tells, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey
to find the Old Man of the Moon and ask him
how to change her family’s fortune.
“Song’s lilting delivery is well suited to the lyrical
text. With a pleasing hushed vocal quality,
Song evokes the engaging structure of interlinked
stories and imbues the dialogue with
subtle characterization.”—Booklist
★“Janet Song’s beautiful reading of Grace Lin’s
Newbery Honor book captures the emotion of
the tale and wisely makes no distinction
between the events Minli experiences and the
stories she hears, making this richly imagined
and compassionate story shine. “
—School Library Journal, starred review
4 CDs • 978-0-3077-1127-4 • $45.00
Grade: RL: 5.5 • IL: 3-6 • LL: 820 • 4 hrs. 57 mins.
WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS
by Wilson Rawls; read by Anthony Heald
Billy achieves his heart’s desire when he
becomes the owner of two redbone hounds.
When tragedy strikes, Billy grieves but learns
the legend of the sacred red fern that grows
over the graves of his dogs.
“Heald is wonderful with this action and
emotion-laden story. He aptly delivers a tone
and sense appropriate to the text...An excellent
selection for family listening.”—AudioFile
AudioFile Earphones Award
6 CDs • 978-0-8072-1157-1 • $50.00
Grade: RL: 6.0 • IL: 5-9 • LL: 700 • 6 hrs. 54 mins.
THE WHITE GIRAFFE
by Lauren St. John; read by Adjoa Andoh
As soon as she arrives in the game preserve in
South Africa, Martine hears whisperings of a
mythical animal living there—a white giraffe.
Then, one night, Martine looks out her
window and sees the tall, silvery animal. Why
is everyone keeping the giraffe’s existence
a secret?
★“Adjoa Andoh’s robust performance will keep
listeners entranced throughout the recording.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Adjoa Andoh is a spellbinding narrator...This
exquisite tale full of exotic atmosphere is
expertly told.”—AudioFile
4 CDs • 978-0-7393-5086-7 • $45.00
Grade: RL: 6.2 • IL: 5-9 • LL: 940 • 4 hrs. 47 mins.
See page 48 for DOLPHIN SONG
WHITTINGTON
by Alan Armstrong; read by Joel Rooks
NEWBERY HONOR
A tomcat arrives at a New England barn full of
animals during the year’s first snowstorm and
begins telling the story of his namesake, Dick
Whittington. The animals absorb Dick’s tale of
good fortune.
“Joel Rooks’ narration brings all the characters
to life…making listeners feel like they are in
the barn sharing the secrets of the animals and
the children.”—School Library Journal
“A magical story is brought to life by a vocal
magician.”—AudioFile
4 CDs • 978-0-7393-3700-4 • $38.00
Grade: RL: 4.9 • IL: 1-5 • LL: 760 • 4 hrs. 45 mins.
WHO WAS FIRST?
DISCOVERING THE AMERICAS
by Russell Freedman; read by L. J. Ganser
Leading children’s nonfiction author Russell
Freedman offers a fascinating account of adventurers,
explorers, and nomads who have been
credited with “discovering America.”
★“Students will discover fascinating information
as well as a fine example of the research
process in this thought-provoking work.”
—School Library Journal, starred review
“Narrator L.J. Ganser reads the main text with
a lively tone and good pacing.”—Audiofile
2 CDs • 978-0-7393-6163-4 • $20.00
Grade: RL: 8.6 • IL: 2-9 • LL: 1310 • 1 hr. 45 mins.
See pages 54 and 79 for more titles by
Russell Freedman
THE WONDER OF CHARLIE ANNE
by Kimberly Newton Fusco
read by Ann Marie Lee
Charlie Anne is devastated when her father
goes north for work when the Depression hits.
When she meets Phoebe, a girl who has also
lost her mother, they become close friends.
★“Two conflicts loom largest: dyslexic Charlie
Anne’s battle with “jumbled letters” and her
controversial friendship with an African-
American girl...Good humor, kindness and
courage triumph in this warm, richly nuanced
novel.”—Kirkus, starred review
“Lee’s voice brings a warm richness to the
story.”—Booklist
“Lee voices Charlie Anne’s narration in a convincing
New England accent, presenting a likeable,
credible character…this production is
sure to engage listeners.”
—School Library Journal
6 CDs • 978-0-3077-1105-2 • $34.00
Grade: RL: 4.7 • IL: 3-6 • LL: 970 • 6 hrs. 39 mins.
THE WITCH OF
BLACKBIRD POND
by Elizabeth George Speare
read by Mary Beth Hurt
NEWBERY MEDAL
Kit Tyler befriends an old woman considered
a witch by the community and suddenly finds
herself standing trial for witchcraft.
“Hurt masterfully reads...[Her] youthful voice
and soft New England accent perfectly match
Kit’s buoyant personality.”—Booklist
“An excellent choice for listening whether as an
enrichment to the social studies curriculum or
purely for pleasure.”—School Library Journal
6 CDs • 978-0-8072-1610-1 • $50.00
Grade: RL: 6.1 • IL: 5-9 • LL: 850 • 6 hrs. 30 mins.
See page 60 for THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER
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THE WRIGHT 3
by Blue Balliett; read by Ellen Reilly
Spring semester at the Lab School in
Chicago finds Petra and Calder drawn into
another big mystery when inexplicable accidents
and ghostly appearances occur at Frank
Lloyd Wright’s Robie House.
“Middle school listeners will enjoy the
intrigue, suspense, and danger that the triumvirate
experience.”—School Library Journal
“[Ellen Reilly’s] narration is clear and builds
the pace from the startling beginning through
the mysterious happenings.”—AudioFile
4 CDs • 978-0-307-28564-5 • $38.00
Grade: RL: 5.7 • IL: 5-10 • LL: 870 • 5 hrs. 1 min.
See page 45 for more titles by Blue Balliett
YOLONDA’S GENIUS
by Carol Fenner; read by Novella Nelson
NEWBERY HONOR
Yolonda’s little brother, Andrew, is having
trouble learning to read, preferring to blow on
an old harmonica instead. Her mother is very
worried, but Yolonda understands that music is
the way Andrew communicates.
“A beautifully drawn portrait of an African
American family. Dynamic characters and
fresh dialogue combine with a compelling
story line to draw readers into Yolonda’s
world.”—Booklist
4 CDs • 978-0-7393-6178-8 • $38.00
Grade: RL: 4.2 • IL: 4-12 • LL: 710 • 5 hrs. 12 mins.
THE YOUNG MAN AND THE SEA
by Rodman Philbrick
read by Kirby Heyborne
After his mother’s death, Skiff Beaman
decides that it is up to him to earn money to
take care of himself and his father. He undertakes
a dangerous trip alone out on the ocean
to try to catch a huge bluefin tuna.
“Expertly narrated…this is a compelling
coming-of-age tale of adversity, heartache, and
triumph.”—School Library Journal
YALSA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults
3 CDs • 978-0-7393-6711-7 • $30.00
Grade: RL: 4.5 • IL: 4-7 • LL: 800 • 3 hrs. 48 mins.
See pages 53, 56, and 70 for more titles by
Rodman Philbrick
ZIGZAG KIDS COLLECTION
BOOKS 1 & 2
by Patricia Reilly Giff
read by Everett Plen and Bailee Madison
NUMBER ONE KID: Mitchell doesn’t think
he’s going to like the Afternoon Center, but
then he finds out about all the activities.
BIG WHOPPER: Before she knows it,
Destiny’s told a major whopper.
“New chapter-book readers will easily relate to
the various troubles and anticipations of this
diverse crew.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Listeners will particularly delight in the
spunky narration…A solid purchase.”
—School Library Journal
2 CDs • 978-0-3077-3867-7 • $20.00
Grade: RL: 2.7 • IL: K-4 • LL: 230 • 1 hr. 30 mins.
See page 2, 3, and 28 for more titles by Patricia
Reilly Giff
Middle Grade CD & Library
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