Adam Lazarre-White narrates this audiobook with heart. Isaiah's family has struggled since his father died unexpectedly. Encouraged by a notebook filled with stories about "Isaiah Dunn, Superhero," he vows to find a way to help his mother and to carry on his dad's literary legacy. Lazarre-White's depiction of Isaiah is achingly tender and surprisingly funny. The listener can feel every ounce of outsized emotion in this sensitive boy who is dealing with grief, loss of stability, and friendship insecurity. Though this is Isaiah's story, Lazarre-White also commands attention with his array of perfectly realized supporting characters, including Isaiah's annoying sister, Charlie; his incorrigible buddy, Sneaky; and his best frenemy, Angel. Another delight is listening to Isaiah's poetry, which appears throughout the production.
(Fiction. 11-13)Pub Date: Aug. 18, 2020
Duration: 5 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593208182
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Live Oak Media recently caught our attention with this new read-along book and cassette program. We listened first, and were so delighted we couldn't wait to get the book. The picture book made the experience even better, but the audio recordings was strong and vibrant by itself. THE GARDENER, Sarah Stewart's Depression-era story of a young girl sent to live with her Uncle Jim in the city has a sweet, wistful quality with narration alone, but coupled with David Small's soft-edged pencil illustration, it's a total delight. The reading is repeated on both sides of the tape, one with and without page-turning signals.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: N/A
Publisher: Live Oak Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
The plot, performances, and production are funny and engaging and make Pedro’s world feel vibrant and full.
This full cast audio rendition of a graphic memoir conveys the energy and brightness of that visual medium. The story recounts Pedro’s challenging but hopeful and humorous childhood as a migrant farmworker in the U.S., growing up with dreams of a life in the arts. Sound effects and musical interludes punctuate the narrative. Plates rattle as an earthquake shakes a restaurant, and birds sing in the bushes on a berry farm as Pedro’s family works. The animated performances by this large cast, especially the boyish voice of Oscar Emmanuel Fabela as Pedro, are perfect to hook preteen listeners—and adults, too.
The plot, performances, and production are funny and engaging and make Pedro’s world feel vibrant and full. (Graphic memoir. 10-16)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2026
Duration: 3 hrs, 38 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217349708
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Sept. 22, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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