Alchemy and Meggy Swann

Alchemy and Meggy Swann by Karen Cushman


Ye toads and vipers! Meggy Swann journeyed to London to be with her unknown father. When she arrives, the alchemist sees her and shows his great disappoint that she is not a he. Meggy feels unloved and unwanted in a filthy new place. Will London ever be home to an unlucky girl?

Karen Cushman excels at historical fiction. Her view of the the Elizabethan age / Shakespearean era is wonderful. She takes Meggy on a journey, not only to a new location, but to learn about herself. Meggy must overcome her physical handicap and fear of people's hate. Meggy learns to be stronger and happier. She discovers a love for London and for her fellow man. If a reader would ever be in need of historical insults, they only need read the whit of Meggy and her friend Roger. Her author's note at the end also adds insight and facts that she woven into her tale.

Alchemy and Meggy Swann would be an terrific book for classrooms or book club. Many discussions can arise about a variety of topics. History alone is one of the them, but Cushman brings up family, friends, physical handicaps, and pets just to name a few.

Katherine Kellgren reads Meggy's story. Kellgren is one of my favorite readers. Her furious back and forth between Meggy and Roger are enjoyable as well as the repeated phrase, "Ye toads and vipers!" Extra praise for singing a Capella throughout the short novel!

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
Alchemy and Meggy Swann by Karen Cushman
Read by Katherine Kellgren
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 4
Total Time: 4 hours, 23 minutes

Arcade Catastrophe

The Arcade Catastrophe by Brandon Mull


Belinda White from the Sweet Tooth Candy Shop is gone. Mr. Sebastian Stott, a friendly magician, took over the shop and adopted a girl named Lindy. Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon have included Lindy in their group and enjoy hanging out at the Candy Shop. Life returned to normal after Mrs. White disappeared from town with her magical candy, but the next town over, Walnut Hills, has some suspicious goings-on. Stranger still, is the disappearance of magical policeman John Dart and magician Mozag. Now they must decide if they should help their missing friends and see what's happening in Walnut Hills.

It's the return of magical treats and amazing adventures! If you enjoyed the first book, The Candy Shop War, you will enjoy the continuing story in The Arcade Catastrophe. The friends you knew in the original tale reappear to fight new enemies and make new friends. Mull's second book is an excellent continuation. He combines mystery, adventure, magic, and candy together for an irresistible reading treat.

Mulls ends the novel with hints at another book to come. This novel can be enjoyed as a complete novel, but the idea of another book is very exciting!

Reader R. C. Bray shares the adventure of Arcade Catastrophe. His low timbre is amazing at creating different characters. It was a slight shock to move from different narrators (book one used Emily Janice Card), but after the first disc the story rolls along at a wonderful speed.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
Arcade Catastrophe by Brandon Mull
Series: Book Two, The Candy Shop War
Read by R. C. Bray
Produced by Shadow Mountain
Number of Discs: 9
Total Time: 10 hours, 45 minutes

The Mark of Athena

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

The Mark of Athena picks up from The Son of Neptune. The Greek and the Roman camps need to work together. Members from each camp form a team to complete the latest quest, but dark forces (Gia and her minions) are against them. Romans believe the Greeks are against them, so they are planning to retaliate. The quest team keeps an eye on the Roman camp's movements, but know they need to journey to Europe to complete their quest - especially Annabeth, who needs to find The Mark of Athena.

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

With only part of the quest complete, the cliff hanger is monumental. Bring on the next book, Riordan!

His characters remain true as they continue on their journey. The relationships between the young men and women progress naturally as they fight along side each other, worry over one another, seek to help each other, and hope their relationship will survive this great undertaking.

Joshua Swanson returns to narrate the newest Heroes of Olympus book. He cleverly portrays a wide range of characters. I hope he can return for the next novel to keep it consistent.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan
Series: Book Three, The Heroes of Olympus
Read by Joshua Swanson
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 12
Total Time: 15 hours, 9 minutes

The Fire Chronicles

The Fire Chronicle by John Stephens

The three siblings return to another orphanage in hope of safety from their enemies. Unfortunately, their enemies find them and the children are on the run. Kate took ownership of the Emerald Atlas and reigned over traveling through time. Yet, as she escaped from an enemy she lost consciousness and trapped herself in the past. With Kate missing, Michael is head of the family and is entrusted to care for his little sister, Emma. Michael, Emma, Dr. Pym and Gabriel join forces to fight the their enemies, find the Fire Chronicle, and look for a way to bring Kate back to them.

Oh, John Stephens! There were no words when I finished listening to The Fire Chronicle. I could only give a loud shout of protest that the story was done. I don't want to give any details away from this amazing story. I want you to read it or listen to it. Stephens continues the chase scenes and the fight between good and evil. You think you can follow the story then an amazing twist arrives to make you stop and ponder, "What will happen next!?" It was so difficult to wait for The Fire Chronicle and now the waiting has intensified for book three. I think book three will be the most anticipated book for 2013.

The amazing Jim Dale returns to read The Fire Chronicle. His characters remain true to the first book and the new characters are equally fun and imaginative. My favorite voices were, well, come to think of it, hard to pinpoint. It was just amazing. I hope Dale will read the next installment of The Books of Beginning.

Reviewed from a library copy.


Audio Book Details...
The Fire Chronicle by John Stephens
Series: Book Two, The Books of Beginning
Read by Jim Dale
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 10
Total Time: 12 hours, 30 minutes

3 Below

Floors #2: 3 Below by Patrick Carman


The Whippet Hotel is now under the ownership of young Leo Fillmore. Mr. Whippet passed his hotel to Leo, but failed to take care of some business. The hotel owes back taxes! Leo and Remy need to travel through undiscovered floors to find the money needed to pay the taxes or the hotel will be put up for auction.

Carman's second Floors novel continues where book ones ends. The characters remained strong and the new characters add extra flavor to the story. The new floors that Leo and Remy discovered were so creative and unexpected. Similar to the first novel, the ending turns out for the best and there are hints to more Floors adventures.

Jesse Bernstein returns to narrator the second Floors novel. His character voices remain true to his original interpretation. Jesse is youthful and distinguishes the characters from each other.j

Reviewed from a library copy.


Audio Book Details...
Floors by Patrick Carman
Series: Book Two, Floors
Read by Jesse Bernstein
Produced by Scholastic Audiobooks
Number of Discs: 5
Total Time: 6 hours

Stealing Magic: a Sixty-Eight Rooms Adventure

Stealing Magic: A Sixty-Eight Rooms Adventure by Marianne Malone


Ruthie and Jack discovered the magic of the Thorne Rooms located at the Chicago Art Institute in The Sixty-Eight Rooms. They made friends and solved mysteries, but their adventure didn't end with the discovery of Mr. Bell's photographs. Ruthie and Jack return to the Thorne Rooms only to discover a thief. Someone is taking objects from the Thorne Rooms!

Malone continues the magic of life in a museum. In Stealing Magic, a life-size mystery is revealed. She intertwines magical objects, art, technology, and student crime solvers. Characters from the first novel also make an appearance to assist Ruthie and Jack throughout the story. Stealing Magic was a faster read than the first novel. The first story lays out the magic and the basics of the Thorne Rooms. This second installment jumps right in, so it is faster paced. I would highly recommend listening (or reading) the first book before venturing into the second.

Cassandra Campbell returns to read Stealing Magic. I love it when narrators continue reading a series! Campbell is a mellow reader and shares the story well.

Reviewed from a library copy.


Audio Book Details...
Stealing Magic: a Sixty-Eight Rooms Adventure by Marianne Malone
Series: Book 2, The Sixty-Eight Rooms
Read by Cassandra Campbell
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 5
Total Time: 6.5 hours

War Horse

War Horse - Audio by Michael Morpurgo

Albert's father aquires a beautiful horse. Albert immediately bonds with his father's new horse and names him Joey to along with their old farm horse, Zoey. As war becomes closer to their village, soldiers come and seek out available horses for their calvary. To keep the farm, Albert's father sells Joey. Albert it heartbroken. He asks to join the calvary, but is denied because of his youth. Albert returns home with a promise to find his beloved Joey.

War Horse is a play and a movie, but the original is a book by Michael Morpurgo. I wanted to hear the original text before seeing the play or the film version. Teachers and researchers require original resources and readers should seek them out as well.

War Horse is a short book with an amazing storyline. Listeners (and readers) see war via a calvary horse. They hear about the love of animals and the misunderstanding of using calvary in modern warfare. The story is heartbreaking, but do not toss it aside. I would highly recommend this title for any reader interested in war stories, horse tales, or overcoming adversity. I am looking forward to seeing the various interpretations on stage and film.

John Keating narrates War Horse and various Irish stories. Joey, the horse travels all over the world, so the Keating must add several dialects in his narration. When the characters moves from the UK, to France and Germany, the narration changed as well as male and female voices. Some of the group scenes were similar in character, but still understandable and very acceptable. I am very pleased the decision to use Keating for a European story would be very flat without a him.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
Read by John Keating
Produced by Scholastic Audiobooks
Number of Discs: 4
Total Time: 4 hours, 4 minutes

The Willoughbys

The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry

What a wimpsical and riotous story about a family called Willoughby! The parents don't like their children and the children don't like their parents. They are out to remove themselves from each other's care. Surprisingly...yet unspirisingly...freedom is won! The adults go off on vacation and sell their home. The children leave their home and live with a neighbor.

Lowry freely sprinkles outrageous and classic moments throughout the story. The children label themselves as old fashioned children, so they constantly share the names and booktitles of classic litruature such as Pollyanna, Heidi, etc. The crazy antics include giving away a baby, sharing one sweater between twins, and hiding from the realtor.

Arte Johnson is a wonderul fit as narrator for The Willoughbys. He has a classic radio voice which goes hand in hand with the homage to classic children's stories. Even the glossary at the end is amusing to hear.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
Read by Arte Johnson
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 3
Total Time: 2 hours, 56 minutes

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier

A baby boy was found in the ocean and brought to land by sailors. He was sent to an orphange and named Peter. A hard-hearted thief saw Peter's small, nimble fingers and adopted him, so Peter could pick locks and steal. Peter scratched out a living, until he unlocked a visiting magician's wagon and stole a mysterious box filled with magical eyes.

The magical title in a golden and curly font above a shadowy figure on the rooftops caught me right away. I began reading a digital copy from NetGalley, but never finished. When the book officially released, I found the audio version as soon as possible so I could finish the tale. I loved the historical fiction beginning of Peter Nimble, but was taken aback at the quick change to fantasy. I knew the story would be magical, but I never pictured such a fantastical tale. I believe this story will be enjoyed by elementary and middle school students. Families could add this to their playlist on a car trip. The story was predictable, but I think the younger listeners will enjoy figuring out the clues and how the story fits together.

Michael Page narrates Auxier's imaginative tale. (He previously narrated Leaving the Bellweathers.) Most of the voices were distinct. The voices that puzzled me were the police or mob creatures. They sounded very similar, so every once in while I did not know who was talking in the scene. My favorite characters were the sea creatures near the end of the book.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier
Read by Michael Page
Produced by Brilliance Audio
Number of Discs: 8
Total Time: 9 hours, 48 minutes

The Help

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

A friend told me about The Help before the movie came out. I tend to read more juvenile fiction, YA, or faith fiction, so I set it aside for the moment. As more friends shared the enjoyment of the book, I added it to my "to-read" mental list. As the book gained popularity and became a film, I sat down and placed a library hold on The Help. It wasn't until I finished another audiobook that I finally picked up and listened to The Help.

More? Ms. Stockett can you please give me more!? 

To date, The Help has been the longest audiobook I have followed with 15 discs. It looked daunting, but once it began I couldn't listen to the CDs fast enough. The Help told the story of several ladies who lived in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960's. Stockett shares the stories of society ladies and stories about household help. This novel will touch your heart and give much food for thought. She wraps up her characters very well, but I greedily want to know more. I want to follow the lived of these amazing characters. I want to hear how Baby Girl grows up and how Aibileen becomes a writer. I want to see the new Skeeter and if she meets a special someone. I want...so much more.

Well, listeners (and readers) will just have to wait and see.

The multiple readers added a beautiful flair to this piece. The readers gave life to Aibileen Clark, Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan, and Minny Jackson. The middle section that embodied all the characters (like a news article about the benefit) was read by a seperate narrator. The middle section was the strangest, but after talking with someone who read the book verses listening to it, it was understandable. A highlight was listening to Octavia Spencer. I enjoy her numerous roles as an actress and she was also the movie version of Minny.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Read by Jenna Lamia, Bahni Turpin, Octavia Spencer, and Cassandra Campbell
Produced by Penguin Audio
Number of Discs: 15
Total Time: ca. 18 hours