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