Addison "Addie" Schmeeter is a spunky, likable character who is determined to make lemonade from her lemon of a life. Addie's family has just fallen apart, leaving her with her unstable bipolar "Mommers" while her little half sisters go with their father, her ex-step-father, Dwight. In spite of a totally dysfunctional life with her "all or nothing" mother, Addie maintains an optimistic hope that "normal" will come and life will get better. Angela Rogers gives voice to this 12-year-old heroine, bringing her to life in a heartbreaking but ultimately redeeming story of the resilience of the human spirit. As we listen, Addie's voice fills with determination to take control of her own destiny.
Ages 10+Pub Date: July 15, 2008
Duration: 6 hrs, 45 mins
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A moving, compelling story about family, connection, and resilience featuring an unforgettable protagonist.
This story, which alternates between prose and poetry and letters, is an emotional, powerful listen. Thirteen-year-old Dasia is on Day 19 of induction chemotherapy after a life-changing diagnosis. Author Stone perfectly captures Dasia's fear, uncertainty, anger, and loneliness. After a particularly rough day, Dasia wakes up to find fellow patient Jameson “Jimmy” Jeffs in her room. Despite everything that makes them different—wealth, family dynamics, geography, opportunity, etc.—over the course of one night, they discover all the things that they have in common and form an unbreakable bond. The poetry sections are particularly moving as Dasia deals with the loss of her father, her brother's incarceration, and her complicated home life while trying to find strength and hold on to hope.
A moving, compelling story about family, connection, and resilience featuring an unforgettable protagonist. (Fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 58 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217351503
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Oct. 28, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2026
Catch up with the Miller family through the voice of the youngest child.
Keylor Leigh narrates this fifth and final novel in the Miller Family series, this time focusing on the youngest family member, 10-year-old Poppy. Still grieving the death of her father, Poppy is facing a Thanksgiving with lots of changes in the people around her—her brother, Billy, is returning from college; her lovelorn sister, Sal, is rebelling; and her mother has a new male friend. Luckily, Poppy has her art to help her cope. Leigh takes Poppy through these challenges with a youthful voice filled with exasperation, desperation, anticipation, and, always, love. Leigh ably conveys Sal's sarcasm and portrays Billy’s coming-of-age.
Catch up with the Miller family through the voice of the youngest child. (Fiction. 6-10)Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 4 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063517196
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 15, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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