Audiobooks are excellent tools to help students build literacy skills as well as improve listening, writing, and vocabulary competencies. In many shared or independent reading situations, audiobooks offer support to reluctant and struggling readers, special-needs students, and English-language learners. They are also embraced by voracious readers.

The narration, whether by a single voice actor or a full cast, must capitalize on the humor, drama, pathos, and all the other emotions of the text. The narrator must interpret the author’s intent, give the characters unique voices, and bring the story to life.

For many boys, audiobooks are an appealing alternative to print. Jon Scieszka, author and former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, is expanding his “Guys Read” literacy initiative (guysread.com) to include “Guys Listen.” According to Scieszka, “boys are having trouble reading and boys are getting worse at reading…. But the good news is that boys will read–if they are given reading that interests them.” With the help of Coppell Middle School (TX) librarian Rose Brock, an audiobook advocate and a doctoral candidate at Texas Women’s University whose research focus is on audiobooks, Scieszka is promoting literacy by focusing on the art of listening. When guys “plug in” to experience great stories, they will be motivated to enjoy literature they may have ignored previously.

With the popularity of audiobooks and the budget cuts libraries are facing, we decided to ask a group of public and school librarians to recommend 25 must-have audiobooks released in the past 10 years for middle and for high school students to help librarians get the most bang for their buck. The lists below, arranged in chronological order beginning with the most highly recommended, reflect a consensus of their opinions.

The Must-Have Audiobooks for Boys sidebars were compiled by Rose Brock. A number of the titles in the middle and the high school lists were also among her top guy-friendly audiobooks—and that designation is noted at the end of the annotation.

When an entire series is recommended, only the first title is provided in the bibliographic information; additional titles are noted in the annotation. Many titles are also available for download or in Playaway format, so check distributors’ websites and audio download retailers for availability. As the grade level ranges for these titles suggest, a large number of books have great crossover appeal—they are equally suitable for middle and high school listeners.

MUST-HAVE AUDIOBOOKS: middle school

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. By J. K. Rowling; read by Jim Dale. 7 CDs. 8:24 hrs. Listening Library. 2001. ISBN 978-0-8072-8600-5. $60. Gr 3 Up-The adventures of the young wizard are expertly brought to life through Dale’s unforgettable performance. He handles a cast of characters both human and non-human with the mark of a true master. Other titles: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban; Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire; Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix; Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows . A must-have for boys.

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. By Kadir Nelson; read by Dion Graham. 2 CDs. 1:55 hrs. with CD of art. Brilliance Audio. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4233-7537-1. $42.97. Gr 3 Up–A piece of American history comes alive in this history of the Negro Leagues and its gifted baseball players that also echoes the social and political struggles of black America during the first half of the 20th century. The narrative is divided into nine innings, beginning with Rube Foster and his formation of the first Negro League in 1920 and closing with Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in 1947. In between are fascinating snippets about events and players. Dion Graham gives an eloquent performance. Winner of the Coretta Scott King Award and the Sibert Medal. A must-have for boys.

The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 1: The Amulet of Samarkand. By Jonathan Stroud; read by Simon Jones. 11 CDs. 12:30 hrs. Listening Library. 2004. ISBN 978-1-4000-9498-1. $70. Gr 5-9–Stroud has woven an intricate fantasy set in an alternative London where the most influential members of society are magicians. The richly rewarding story unfolds in chapters that alternate between Bartimaeus’s first-person narration and the account of Nathaniel, a boy magician-in-training, told in the third person. Jones’s narration is spot-on in this gripping tale. Other titles: The Golem’s Eye, Ptolemy’s Gate.

The Graveyard Book. By Neil Gaiman; read by author. 7 cassettes or 7 CDs. 7:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2008. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4361-5879-4: $56.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4361-5884-8: $77.75. Gr 5-8–“There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife.” So begins the tale of Nobody Owens, a child raised in a graveyard by ghosts. Little Nobody (Bod) flourishes in the graveyard, but he longs to enter the world of the living. What a wicked delight to hear this inventive, sinister Gothic tale of murder, revenge, lost loves, and friendship read by the author, whose voice ranges from silky to gravely and gruff to sharp-edged. A Newbery Medal winner and an Audie Award Audiobook of the Year. A must-have for boys.

His Dark Materials, Book 1: The Golden Compass. By Philip Pullman; read by author and a full cast. 9 CDs. 10:49 hrs. Listening Library. 2002. ISBN 978-0-8072-1049-9. $65. Gr 7 Up- In the first title in this intricately plotted fantasy, set in London and in the Arctic regions of a world that is somewhat like our own, Lyra lives among the scholars at Jordan College. She becomes aware of an evil plot to steal children and take them to the far north, and she is drawn deeper and deeper into this mystery. Lyra’s destiny is to save her world and move on into a parallel universe. Pullman’s novel is brought to life in a radio drama format by a full cast. The author is the very capable narrator, adding to the suspenseful atmosphere. Other titles: The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass . span class="ProductName"/>

Airborn. By Kenneth Oppel; read by a full cast. 10 CDs. 10:30 hrs. Full Cast Audio. 2006. ISBN 978-1-933322-54-4. $65. 6-10–Matt Cruise is a cabin boy and Kate de Vries is a passenger on an airship when it is set upon by pirates. A forced landing on a tropical island sets the scene for the teens’ further adventures involving the skeleton of a mysterious winged creature, the creatures themselves, and pirates. This wildly imaginative adventure, laced with fantasy, humor, villains, and a touch of romance, is performed by a talented cast of 32 actors. A must-have for boys.

Artemis Fowl. By Eoin Colfer; read by Nathaniel Parker. 5 CDs. 6 hrs. Listening Library. 2004. ISBN 978-1-4000-8591-0. $45. Gr 5-8-Artemis Fowl, boy genius and criminal mastermind, decides to reinvigorate his Irish crime family’s fortune by kidnapping a fairy and capturing the pot of gold. However, he hasn’t reckoned on the resources and cunning of the LEPrecon Unit, an elite branch of the fairy police. Parker delivers the humorous dialogue with flawless voicing and pacing. Other titles: The Arctic Incident; The Eternity Code; The Opal Deception; The Lost Colony; The Time Paradox; The Atlantis Complex.

Inkheart. By Cornelia Funke; read by Lynn Redgrave. 14 CDs. 16:48 hrs. Listening Library. 2003. ISBN 978-0-8072-2010-8. $85. Gr 5-9-When Meggie discovers she has the magical talent of reading fictional characters into the real world, her life is changed forever. In this engrossing trilogy, Funke explores ideas of fate, free will, and the power of story. Redgrave takes an already brilliant, action-packed tale and shows her power as a narrator with well-chosen voices that fit each character and mood. Other titles: Inkspell and Inkdeath.

Skulduggery Pleasant. By Derek Landy; read by Rupert Degas. 6 CD. 7:30 hrs. HarperChildren’s Audio. 2007. ISBN 978-0-06-134104-5. $27.95. Gr 4-8–Every once in a while a story comes along that is pure unadulterated fun, and this tale is one of those gems. Stephanie meets Skulduggery at her uncle’s funeral, and it takes her a while to realize that he’s a skeleton. After the girl inherits her uncle’s estate, men begin pursuing her and detective Skulduggery comes to her rescue. The duo’s relationship makes the tale a hoot, and their many narrow escapes will keep listeners on the edge of their seats. Degas flawlessly interprets this Odyssey Award Honor Audiobook, making even minor characters come deliciously to life. A must-have for boys.

A Series of Unfortunate Events, #1: The Bad Beginning. By Lemony Snicket; read by Tim Curry. 3 CDs. 3:17 hrs. Listening Library. 2002. ISBN 978-0-8072-1158-8. $30. Gr 4-6–The series chronicles the misadventures and misfortunes of the orphaned Baudelaire children. In the first book, they find themselves in the care of their evil relative, Count Olaf, whose main concern is getting his hands on their fortune. Tim Curry perfectly voices the array of characters in this delightful, fast-paced, often humorous melodrama. Other titles available from Listening Library and HarperChildren’s Audio.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1: The Lightning Thief. By Rick Riordan; read by Jesse Bernstein. 8 CDs. 10:25 hrs. Listening Library. 2005. ISBN 978-0-3072-4531-1. $60. Gr 5-9–-Half Greek god and half human, Percy must try to make peace with both sides of himself while at the same time bringing harmony to Mt. Olympus. Bernstein’s voicing of Percy is masterful, and his narration is spot-on for the other characters. Other titles: The Sea of Monsters; The Titan’s Curse; The Battle of the Labyrinth; The Last Olympians. A must-have for boys.

Elijah of Buxton. By Christopher Paul Curtis; read by Mirron Willis. 8 CDs. 8:58 hrs. Listening Library. 2008. ISBN 978-0-7393-6415-4. $55. Gr 4-8–Labeled “fra-gile” since infancy, Elijah, the first child born free in a Canadian community of escaped slaves, longs to be “growed” up. When circumstances force him to cross the U.S. border, the boy comes face to face with the horrors of slavery. Set in 1860, Curtis’s Newbery Honor book is read by Mirron Willis who effortlessly varies his rich, textured voice to make each character unique. A must-have for boys.

Treasure Island.By Robert Louis Stevenson; read by Alfred Molina. 6 CDs. 7:09 hrs. Listening Library. 2007. ISBN 978-0-7393-5083-6. $55. Gr 4 Up–Among the litany of popular pirate fare, Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale remains one of the best. This version, an Odyssey Award Honor selection, is beautifully narrated by Molina whose dramatic pacing, sea-faring accents, and subtle characterizations enhance the text.

Fairest. By Gail Carson Levine; read by Sarah Naughton and a full cast. 8 CDs. 8:15 hrs. Full Cast Audio. 2007. ISBN 978-1-934180-13-6. $55. Gr 6 Up–Awkward and unattractive Aza has an amazing voice and is highly admired. When she meets the tone-deaf new queen, she is bullied into using her voice to deceive the kingdom. A handsome prince, a gallant gnome, and a kindly king round out this enchanting story. With a full cast of voice actors along with original music to accompany Levine’s lyrics, this memorable audiobook dazzles and entertains.

After Tupac and D Foster. By Jacqueline Woodson; read by Susan Spain. 3 CDs. 3:13 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2009. ISBN 987-1-4233-9805-9. $39.97. Gr 6-10–Susan Spain’s sensitive narration captures the strong emotional nature of Jacqueline Woodson’s Newbery Honor Book about the friendship between three girls and how their lives are affected by the music and life of rapper Tupac Shakur. Each disc begins with a bit of rap rhythm, giving a strong emotional beat to the narration by Susan Spain.

Al Capone Does My Shirts. By Gennifer Choldenko; read by Kirby Heyborne. 5 CDs. 6:15 hrs. Listening Library. 2004. ISBN 978-0-3075-8235-5. $43.75. Gr 6-8–A poignant novel, set on Alcatraz Island in 1935, filled with memorable characters and humorous moments. Life there is a laundry list of challenges for 12-year-old Moose as he cares for his autistic sister and tangles with the warden’s daughter. Heyborne’s masterful narration conveys both Moose’s anger towards and concern for his sister. His timing is perfect and he voices all the characters with great versatility.

The Wednesday Wars. By Gary D. Schmidt; read by Joel Johnstone. 6 CDs. 7:28 hrs. Scholastic Audio. 2007. ISBN 978-0-439-02340-5. $64.95. Gr 5-8-In a Long Island town in 1967, Holling, the only Presbyterian in his seventh-grade class, must spend Wednesday afternoons in the charge of Mrs. Baker while his classmates go for religious instruction. Over the course of a year, he and his teacher read and discuss Shakespeare, share a love of baseball, and cultivate a meaningful friendship. Full of humor and insight, the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement form the background for this compelling coming-of-age story that is perfectly narrated by Johnstone.

Twilight: Twilight Saga, Book 1. By Stephenie Meyer; read by Ilyana Kadushin. 11 CDs. 12:51 hrs. Listening Library. 2005. ISBN 978-0-3072-8296-5. $75. Gr 7 Up-Bella and Edward fall madly in love and the resulting volatile romance smolders as they attempt to hide Edward’s vampire identity from her family and the rest of the school. Ilyana Kadushin narrates with great style, making the romantic tale of star-crossed lovers resonate with a bittersweet edge. Other titles: New Moon; Eclipse; Breaking Dawn.

Ender’s Game. By Orson Scott Card; read by a full cast. 9 CDs. 10:30 hrs. Macmillan Audio. 2004. ISBN 978-1-59397-474-9. $39.95. Gr 8 Up–The Earth is under attack and the survival of the human species depends on a military genius who can defeat the alien “buggers.” Child genius Ender Wiggin learns to be a top-notch solider and is quickly promoted up the ranks. The audio version of this sci-fi novel is a gem. The full-cast narration is spot-on. The Hugo and Nebula award-winning tale’s profound themes (and mild profanity) will be enjoyed by teens who appreciate a complex novel.

Peace, Locomotion. By Jacqueline Woodson; read by Dion Graham. 2 CDs. 2:07 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4233-9799-1. $39.97. Gr 4-6–Tender-hearted Lonnie, a foster child who lives with kindly Miss Edna in Brooklyn, writes poetry about peace and shares his observations and feelings in letters to his sister. This deeply affecting story of loss, love, family, and survival is superbly narrated by Graham, who makes every letter come alive. Lonnie’s job in his family is to be “the rememberer,” and Graham’s performance is equally memorable.

Dragon Rider. By Cornelia Funke; read by Brendan Fraser. 10 CDs. 11:35 hrs. Listening Library. 2004. ISBN 978-1-4000-9494-3: $70. Gr 4-6–Firedrake, a silver dragon, lives in an isolated Scottish valley with other dragons and assorted creatures. When the dragons discover that humans plan to take over their valley, Firedrake and a feisty brownie set out to find the Rim of Heaven, the legendary home of silver dragons. A cast of sympathetic humans, fabulous creatures, elves, and a djinni both help and sidetrack Firedrake. The urgency of the mission is conveyed through Fraser’s expert pacing and timing.

Jazz. By Walter Dean Myers; read by James “D-Train” Williams and Vaneese Thomas. CD. 43:02 min. Live Oak Media. 2007. ISBN 978-1-43010-021-8. $18.95; with hardcover book, ISBN 978-43010-022-5: $28.95. Gr 4-9–Walter Dean Myers’s fabulous book is even better in this Odyssey Award-winning version. It opens with an extensive introduction to the history of jazz, and then comes alive with the beat and sass of the music, as different styles and performers are showcased. James “D-Train” Williams and Vaneese Thomas give voice to the text with a celebration of music, poetry, and song. From a New Orleans funeral celebration to be-bop and bluesy torch songs, they render each piece with a distinctive jazz flavor.

Coraline. By Neal Gaiman; read by author. 3 CDs. 3 hrs. HarperChildrens Audio. 2002. ISBN 978-0-06-0510-48-0. $22. Gr 5-8–-Opening a closed-off door in her new house, Coraline discovers that her parents are prisoners in an alternate reality and that the sinister look-alikes who have taken their place are up to no good. Gaiman’s performance of this superbly executed story will captivate listeners. The Gothic Archies provide haunting music to accompany this delightfully creepy tale.

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy. By Gary D. Schmidt; read by Sam Freed. 6 CDs. 6:49 hrs. Listening Library. 2005. ISBN 978-0-3072-8185-2. $50. Gr 6-9–The son of a new white preacher in a Maine town is befriended by an African-American girl from a nearby island, and everything he believes in is shaken when he learns of the devastation that awaits her community. This Newbery Honor and Printz Honor book, set at the turn of the 20th century, is suspenseful and packs an emotional wallop. Freed’s narration reflects the novel’s flashes of humor, temper, and an aching melancholy, along with a variety of Maine accents for the townsfolk.

Elsewhere. By Gabrielle Zevin; read by Cassandra Morris. 6 CDs. 7:03 hrs. Listening Library. 2005. ISBN 978- 0-3072-8370-2. $50. Gr 7-10–Although Liz is maturing, coping with disappointments, and controlling her anger, she’s getting younger. Having been killed by a hit and run driver, she lives in Elsewhere with the grandmother who died before she was born. Morris’s youthful voice clearly evokes Lizzie’s frustrations in this coming-of-age novel with a twist.

MUST-HAVE AUDIOBOOKS: high school

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. By Sherman Alexie; read by author. 5 cassettes or 5 CDs. 5 hrs. Recorded Books. 2008. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4281-8292-9: $33.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4281-8297-4: $46.75. Gr 7 Up–Arnold Spirit transfers from the Indian reservation school to a rich, white high school. With honesty, humor, and unfailing optimism, he comes to terms with tragic realities and family frailties, and learns who he really is. Poetic, humorous, slightly naughty, and heart-wrenching, the story makes a flawless transition to audio. Through the author’s superb narration, listeners experience the gut-wrenchingly honest emotion and insightful humor of this National Book Award and Odyssey Award title. A must-have for boys.

Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary “Jacky” Farber Ship’s Boy. By L. A. Meyer; read by Katherine Kellgren. 6 CDs. 8 hrs. Listen and Live Audio. ISBN 978-1-59316-094-4. $37.95. Gr 7 Up-Mary, an orphaned street urchin in 18th-century London, poses as a boy, changes her name to Jacky Farber, and signs on as a lowly ship’s boy on a Royal Navy frigate. Follow her on a series of grand and often hair-raising adventures and misadventures. Kellgren superbly voices an entire crew of unforgettable characters and seamlessly navigates a wide range of accents and dialects. Nautical music and Kellgren’s occasional singing enhance the telling. Other titles: The Curse of the Blue Tattoo; Under the Jolly Roger; In the Belly of the Bloodhound; Mississippi Jack; My Bonnie Light Horseman; Rapture of the Deep; The Wake of the Lorelei. A must-have for boys.

Feed. By M. T. Anderson; read by David Aaron Baker. 5 CDs. 5 hrs. Listening Library. 2003. ISBN 978-0-8072-1773-3: $45. Gr 8 Up–The "feed" in Titus’s brain is continuously spewing advertisements, music, game shows, and many other bits of information. In this future world, computer chips are built in, and bombard everyone with exactly what the corporate world wants them to know. Titus becomes friends with Violet, who is opposed to the “feed.” What will happen when their feeds are damaged? The rhythm of the “teenspeak” is read to perfection by Baker. A must-have for boys.

The Book Thief. By Markus Zusak; read by Allan Corduner. 11 CDs. 13:57 hrs. Listening Library. 2006. ISBN 978-0-7393-3800-1. $75. Gr 9 Up–Death narrates this brilliantly conceived, vividly realized World War II-era novel set in a small German town. He closely follows the plight of a child raised by foster parents through the rise of the Nazi regime and the horrors of war, and details the solace and redemption that the girl finds in books. Zusak’s haunting tale, filled with richly evocative imagery and compelling characters, is read flawlessly by Corduner, who defines each character and voices Death in a way that will rivet listeners. A must-have for boys.

The Hunger Games. By Suzanne Collins; read by Carolyn McCormick. 9 CDs. 11 hrs. Scholastic Audio. 2008. ISBN 978-0-545-09106-0. $84.95. Gr 7 Up–In reality TV run amok, an annual, government-run competition pits two dozen teens against one another in a fight to the death, and 16-year-old Katniss must hold her own against stronger and more ruthless players. Intense, graphic action, along with a touch of romance, makes this dystopic adventure a great choice for older reluctant readers. McCormick ably voices the action-packed sequences. Other titles: Catching Fire, Mockingjay. A must-have for boys.

Monster. 2 CDs. 2:34 hrs. By Walter Dean Myers; read by a full cast. 2 CDs. 2:34 hrs. Listening Library. 2006. ISBN 978-0-7393-3592-5. $24. Gr 7 Up–Steve, a 16-year-old African-American boy accused of serving as a lookout for a robbery of a Harlem drugstore where the owner was shot and killed, is in jail awaiting trial. An amateur filmmaker, the teen recounts his experiences in the form of a movie screenplay. Interspersed within the script are diary entries which vividly describe the horrible conditions of his confinement. This Coretta Scott King Honor Book and Printz Award winner is an auditory delight, presented as a full-cast dramatization that is spot-on. A must-have for boys.

Wee Free Men. By Terry Pratchett; read by Stephen Briggs. 7 CDs. 7:12 hrs. HarperChildren’s Audio. 2005. ISBN 978-0-06-0785-98-7. $29.95. Gr 5 Up–When Tiffany enters Fairyland to rescue her kidnapped brother, listeners are in for a rousing romp, for this girl has grit, determination, and more than a touch of witchcraft on her side. This suspenseful fantasy is as funny as it is wise. Briggs’s unique pacing and mastery of accents and dialects is a perfect match for Pratchett’s clever dialogue and outlandish characters.

Carter Finally Gets It. By Brent Crawford; read by Nick Podehl. 7 CDs. 9 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4233-9181-4. $87.97. Gr 8-10–Will Carter is about to start high school and worries about finding his place and making his mark, especially when it come to girls. The teen has ADD and tends to stutter in moments of duress, but he has wonderful friends, determination, and a sister who helps him stumble through his freshman year, find his first love, face down the school bully, and learn who he really is. His escapades are humorous, and Podehl’s narration raises the bar from funny to hysterical. A must-have for boys.

Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie. By David Lubar; read by a full cast. 6 CDs. 6:45 hrs. Full Cast Audio. 2006. ISBN 978-1-933322-52-0: $45. Gr 7 Up–Scott Hudson begins his freshman year of high school as a source of income to Wesley, the school shakedown artist. The girl he’s known since kindergarten has blossomed into a goddess, but doesn’t seem to know he’s alive. He gets roped into writing the sports column for the school newspaper, even though he’s not an athlete. On top of everything else, his mom is pregnant. He begins a journal filled with tips for his expected sibling on how to survive freshman year. A full cast does an exemplary job of portraying the characters in this laugh-out-loud novel.

Sabriel: Abhorsen Trilogy, Book 1. By Garth Nix; read by Tim Curry. 10 CDs. 10:30 hrs. Listening Library. 2003. ISBN 978-0-8072-1605-7. $70. Gr 7 Up–This vividly imagined fantasy pits a young necromancer against a horde of deliciously gruesome minions of an unspeakably evil sorcerer. The action-filled story features a strong female who not only takes over her father’s work, but in a sleeping beauty type reversal, rouses her young man from an enchanted sleep with a kiss and a spell. Curry’s outstanding reading draws every nuance from the text and gives it added dramatic tone. Other titles: Lirael and Abhorsen. A must-have for boys.

Dairy Queen. By Catherine Gilbert Murdock; read by Natalie Moore. 5 CDs. 6:09 hrs. Listening Library. 2006. ISBN 978-0-7393-3612-0. $45. Gr 7 Up–When a 15-year-old athletic farm girl is roped into training her rival high school’s quarterback, she is totally turned off by this seemingly pompous rich kid. By the time the final whistle sounds, though, she has learned a lot from him about herself, her family, and her peers. Natalie Moore perfectly narrates Murdock’s witty, wise, and totally engaging novel, making the characters come alive with her voices changes and use of accents.

Before I Die. By Jenny Downham; read by Charlotte Parry. 6 CDs. 7:10 hrs. Listening Library. 2007. ISBN 978-0-7393-6290-7. $50. Gr 9 Up–Tessa has a list of things to do before she dies. Her chemotherapy is no longer working and her four-year struggle with leukemia will soon end. Sometimes angry and rebellious, other times exhausted and forlorn, the 16-year-old Brit crams sex, drugs, and a few illegal acts into the few months she has left. Told from Tessa’s viewpoint, the narrator is both ethereal and passionate as she conveys a gut-wrenching range of emotions.

Around the World in 80 Days. By Jules Verne; read by Jim Dale. 7 CDs. 7:53 hrs. Listening Library. 2005. ISBN 978-0-3072-0682-4. $55. Gr 7 Up-Verne’s classic about Phileas Fogg’s circumnavigation of the globe in 80 days gets new life with Jim Dale’s extraordinary narration. A not-to-be-missed recording.

Nation. By Terry Pratchett; read by Stephen Briggs. 8 CDs. 9:30 hrs. HarperChildren’s Audio. 2008. ISBN 978-0-06-1658-21-1. $29.95. Gr 7-10–A tsunami has hit Mau’s island home and washed away everyone he knows. Daphne, from the other side of the globe, is the sole survivor (or so she thinks) of a shipwreck on the island. The two come together and each of them brings wisdom, intelligence, and a sense of humanity to the dire situation. This absorbing novel of survival and discovery is liberally infused with Pratchett’s trademark wit. Briggs’s British-accented narration complements the text. A must-have for boys.

To Kill a Mockingbird. By Harper Lee; read by Sissy Spacek. 11 CDs. 12 hrs. HarperCollins Audio. 2008. ISBN 978-0-06-1808-12-8. $34.99. Gr 9 Up-Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, told through the eyes of Scout Finch during a period of three years, receives stellar treatment with Sissy Spacek’s superb performance. Dealing with themes of race, justice, and growing up, this audiobook is not to be missed.

A Northern Light. By Jennifer Donnelly; read by Hope Davis. 8 CDs. 9 hrs. Listening Library. 2003. ISBN 978-0-8072-1787-0. $60. Gr 8 Up–Set in the Adirondacks in 1906, this atmospheric story based on a true incident involves a teen trapped by family expectations, a fickle fiancé, and a murder. Davis narrates the novel’s intense and humorous moments with equal veracity. A fine blending of characters, setting, and suspense.

Speak. By Laurie Halse Anderson; read by Mandy Siegfried. 4 CDs. 5 hrs. Listening Library. 2004. ISBN 978-1-4000-8998-7. $45. Gr 8 Up–In this tale told with insight, acid wit, and affecting prose, Melinda, a ninth grader, becomes a social pariah when she calls the police to bust a summer bash and spends the year coming to terms with the fact that she was raped during the party. Mandy Siegfried assumes Melinda’s persona, a troubled teen struggling to cope.

Harry Potter Series. See Middle School

Twilight Series. See Middle School

A Great and Terrible Beauty: Gemma Doyle Series #1. By Libba Bray; read by Josephine Bailey. 10 CDs. 12 hrs. Listening Library. 2004. ISBN 978-1-4000-8621-4. $70. Gr 7 Up–This gothic tale of a Victorian girls’ school with a deadly secret comes alive in Bailey’s nuanced reading. After her mother dies, Gemma is packed off to finishing school in London. She stands up to the girls who seem to hold the most power at school, while also dealing with weird hallucinations and the furtive presence of the young man she first saw in Bombay on the day of her mother’s death.

Keturah and the Lord of Death. By Martine Leavitt; read by Alyssa Bresnahan. 6 cassettes or 6 CDs. 6:30 hrs. Recorded Books. 2007. cassette, ISBN 978-1-4281-4644-0: $56.75; CD, ISBN 978-1-4281-4649-4: $66.75. Gr 7 Up-Keturah, a young peasant girl, is the storyteller in her medieval village. She relates the tale of how she met, was initially rescued from, and then chose to court Lord Death. Bresnahan perfectly assumes the role of raconteur. The

Rules of Survival. By Nancy Werlin; read by Daniel Passer. 5 CDs. 6:08 hrs. Listening Library. 2007. ISBN 978-0-7393-5115-4. $38. Gr 9 Up–Matt and his sisters are terrorized by their unpredictable, psychotic mother’s volatile temperament while the other adults in their lives look the other way–until a sympathetic stranger becomes the impetus for change. Terse, tense, and terrifying, this psychological drama shows how a victim of abuse comes to terms with his childhood. Passer’s reading is spot-on.

Thirteen Reasons Why. By Jay Asher; read by Debra Wiseman and Joel Johnstone. 5 CDs. 6:25 hrs. Listening Library. 2007. ISBN 978-0-7393-6122-1. $45. Gr 9 Up–With the arrival of a box of numbered cassettes, Clay’s life changes forever. Listening and reacting to the words of fellow classmate and crush, Hannah, Clay begins to understand and to feel the depth of pain, anger, and confusion that led to her suicide. Alternating between Hannah’s and Clay’s voices, the narrators zero in on the indecision, angst, and desperate hunger for acceptance experienced by young adults.

Samurai Shortstop. By Alan Grantz; read by Arthur Morey. 6 CDs. 7:21 hrs. Listening Library. 2006. ISBN 978-0-7393-3624-3: $50. Gr 7 Up–Toyo Shimada watches his uncle commit seppuku (hara-kiri) the day before he begins his first year of boarding school. This act sets into motion a story that is firmly grounded in the transition between traditions and modern values in Japan. Harsh and sometimes brutal incidents in Toyo’s school echo the upheaval and confusion in Japan as the people struggle with blending their beliefs with disparate Western tenets. One place where they mesh is in baseball, and Toyo sees the game implicit in the ancient warrior art of bushido. Morey hits a home run with his narration.

The Teacher’s Funeral: A Comedy in Three Parts. By Richard Peck; read by Dylan Baker. 4 CDs. 4:48 hrs. Listening Library. 2004. ISBN 978-1-4000-9496-7. $38. Gr 6 Up-When the town’s only teacher dies, a few of her students mourn, but not 15-year-old Russell—until he hears his older sister will take her job at the school. Lots of down-home humor and high jinx make this story, set in small-town America in 1904, a winner. Baker’s Midwestern drawl is just right, with each character given a fitting voice.

Phyllis Levy Mandell is School Library Journal's managing editor and multimedia review editor.