In a lilting voice, narrator Christopher Hampton captures the hope and curiosity of Will, a young Black boy who is hoping to claim land during the Oklahoma Land Rush. Will's companions include his stern father and their mule, Belle, and later the gentle but wizened ex-Union soldier, Caesar. Southern accents, including Will's, and twangy cowboy voices enhance the historic setting. Northern characters are more neutral, but moments of racial tension are full of anger and stress. Throughout the harrowing story, Will is anguished during a fight, Pa falters in fearful moments, and Caesar strains when he is badly injured. As he nears Oklahoma, Will's confidence grows, as does his father's pride in him. Adventure abounds in this moving production.
(Historical fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Jan. 14, 2025
Duration: 4 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668647417
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Sensory details, careful characterization, and realistic emotions make for a relatable historical tale.
Elise Arsenault’s wide-ranging accents transport listeners to 1277 Winchester, England, and introduce us to three 11-year-olds who dub themselves the Unusuals. With crisp pronunciations, Arsenault portrays the upper-class tones of wealthy, Jewish Chera, who offers unique accounts of her cousin, Lummie, and her poor Christian friend, Joan. Arsenault’s representations of different socioeconomic and religious groups convey the period’s upheaval, chaos, and open antisemitism. When Chera’s grandmother and Joan’s mother are murdered, the Unusuals work to uncover the murderer. This leads to new dangers, including meeting the Uncommons, a group of outlaws whom Arsenault convincingly portrays.
Sensory details, careful characterization, and realistic emotions make for a relatable historical tale. (Historical fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 4 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063325142
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 30, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2026
Stribling’s prodigious skill brings Appalachia to life in this heartfelt tale.
Kramer introduces us to the folklore, religion, and power of community in 1970s Appalachia. Amanda Stribling’s stellar narration breathes vibrant life into this fascinating story. With her believable Appalachian accent, she becomes 11-year-old Delilah, who is struggling to find her place in her family and changing community. Listeners hear Delilah’s hurt as her older sister, Eve, once her best friend, seems to be growing away from her, and her patience as she tries to keep wild and impulsive younger sister Jezzie safe. Stribling transitions smoothly to the voice of bombastic, overconfident itinerant preacher Brother Jones, whose revival meetings introduce snake handling, dancing, speaking in tongues, and harsh judgments to the area.
Stribling’s prodigious skill brings Appalachia to life in this heartfelt tale. (Historical fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: June 16, 2026
Duration: 7 hrs, 34 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668196373
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 18, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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