André Santana flawlessly re-creates gentle Will's school and home life in Oakwood, Georgia--where everyone knows everyone whether they're students, jocks, or gamers. Will begins to feel exhausted and nauseous after playing soccer; soon he's diagnosed with Crohn's disease. The story's superbly rendered first-person viewpoint draws in listeners as it reveals Will's relationships with his family members, classmates, and church community. Descriptive doctor visits and embarrassing symptoms are heartbreaking and may be familiar to some. Will is Santana's standout character; a close second is Griffin, who introduces Will to the joys of playing Mirror Realm on video. When Will observes his teammates' homophobia, he questions his life and his relationships. There are no easy answers, but this beguiling audiobook speaks to kids, parents, and others.
(Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: June 6, 2023
Duration: 5 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063228740
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Perfect for listeners who enjoy a fast-paced coming-of-age novel in verse and an exceptionally authentic narrator.
What starts as a story about a young man’s passion for basketball ends in a powerful reckoning with anxiety and self-acceptance. Author Randall dynamically narrates Malik “Shake” Page with so much personality that listeners will align with Shake's emotional highs and lows as if they're spectators in the bleachers. After an ankle fracture sidelines Shake from the sport that defines him, his inner journey takes center stage. Listeners will chuckle at the dialogue and be on the edge of their seats as they root for Shake to find his community both on and off the court.
Perfect for listeners who enjoy a fast-paced coming-of-age novel in verse and an exceptionally authentic narrator. (Verse fiction. 9-14)Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250441652
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 5, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2026
A sensitive performance.
Deepa is a precocious 12-year-old girl in remission from leukemia. Under the tutelage of her uncle, a house call doctor, she becomes involved in solving teen tennis player Taio's puzzling medical mystery. Deepa is unsure of herself, but she’s ready to get back to middle school after a year away for treatment. Narrator Soneela Nankani depicts Deepa's desire to be more than the "sick kid" while navigating her youthful insecurities and the social challenges of middle school. Nankani also ably portrays Deepa's growing confidence in herself as she uses her own experience with illness to help figure out what’s wrong with Taio.
A sensitive performance. (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: July 14, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 32 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668182833
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 24, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
