Review: Grayling's Song

Grayling's Song is a juvenile fiction novel written by Karen Cushman. She created a medieval world with magic. Grayling sets off on a journey to find magical people who can help her mother (and others along the way) who is turning into a tree. It's a ragtag team that comes together and helps Grayling along the way. It's a fine quest story. The unlikely characters are a good mix of interesting. It reminded me a little bit of Christopher Healy's series, The League of Princes. Grayling is more serious, and Healy is more humorous. I picked up Grayling's Song because of the narrator, Katherine Kellgren, and the fantasy element. If readers appreciate, medieval times, music, or Ms. Kellgren I would recommend this book to them.

Katherine Kellgren was an amazing narrator. Grayling sings throughout the story and Kellgren sings to tunes, too. Acapella. I am every so impressed when music is added to an audiobook. I am even more impressed when narrators feel comfortable and confident while singing without a tune in the background. Wow! Beyond the singing, Kellgren offers different voices for each character which sounded very authentic to the type of character Cushman described: crabby weather witch, languid enchantress, a befuddled wizard, and more. I would definitely listen to Kellgren again.

Grayling's Song reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
Grayling's Song by Karen Cushman
Read by Katherine Kellgren
Produced by Recorded Books
Number of Discs: 4
Total Time: 5 hours, 6 minutes
Release Date: June 7, 2016
ISBN: 9781501916922

Music Review: Green Gorilla, Monster & Me

Have you heard of Ralph's World? Ralph's World CD's are created by musician Ralph Covert. He's a rocker (indie rocker according to his website) and he creates children's music as well as music for adults. I found this CD at a library book sale and brought it home. I don't recall every using Ralph's World music at storytime.

Green Gorilla, Monster & Me is one CD about of several from Ralph's World. I would only categorize one song on this CD as a movement song. The rest are family listening songs or background songs that can be enjoyed at home or in the car. For me, this wasn't a super CD, but maybe it will be for you! Give it a listen and let me know your thoughts.

You can hear song previews at Ralph's World. The CD's insert does not have the lyrics. It does list the songs, credits, thank yous, and Ralph's World albums. The album does not list the length of the songs, so I've added them to the track list below. In addition to the track title and time, I've added a couple notes from me. The italicized tracks were my favorites from Green Gorilla, Monster & Me.










Track List --
1 - Dance Around - 3.29 - movement song - clap, stomp, dance, jump, run, flap, shout "yeah"
2 - Hideaway - 2.26 - "everybody needs a hidaway"
3 - Red Banana - 2.33 - silly song
4 - Gitarzan - 3.28 - song by Ray Stevens & Bill Everette - Guitar + Tarzan silly song
5 - Me and My Invisible Friend - 2.23
6 - Old Red #7 - 3.45 - soap box car
7 - River Flow - 2.54 - lists different boats - lists real bodies of water
8 - Liesl Echo - 3.05 - echo story song
9 - Monster - 2.06 - dog song
10 - Tim the Boy - 1.20 - "listen to what you tell yourself"
11 - I Don't Wanna - 2.23
12 - Tower of Blocks - 3.27
13 - Yum! Yuk! - 2.15 - tasting song
14 - Swingset - 2.59

Reviewed from a personal copy.

Album: Green Gorilla, Monster & Me
Artist: Ralph's World
Label: Waterdog Records
Genre: Kindie / Family
Length: 35:05
Release Date: 2005
ASIN: B0116O3XHU

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A to Z Challenge - Letter G - Green Gorilla, Monster & Me by Ralph's World

Review: Galgorithm

Meet high school senior Shane Chambliss. He is the "Hitch" or dating guru of Kingsview High School. He created the "galgorithm" or at least he said he did. Is it real? Does it work? Can a guy get a gal with an algorithm? It's not math, people. It's about building confidence of who you are and reaching for what you want.

The title Galgorithm was very clever. The plot I read reminded me a lot of the movie Hitch. I was very curious to see how and if they could be compared. (I have enjoyed watching Hitch on various occasions.) Yes, they share similar ideas, but they are independent of each other. The basic similarities are that there is a dude - Hitch and Shane - who want to help other people with their dating lives. Both end of up in very different situations, but both of their "businesses" are uncovered and ciaos ensues. It boils down to - did they do the right thing? Were they helpful? Did they create more hurt then love? Are they able to find a love interest of their own. As Shane's dad said to his son, "True love takes time." Overall their tips, "tricks," and advice were meant to help build a relationship and not tear it down. I enjoyed this YA read. It was good to hear a story from a guys point of view.

One off-balance storyline was the relationship with Shane and his math teacher, Bob Kimbrough. Mr. K comes to Shane for dating advise. Shane is uneasy at first but helps him out. I just can't picture a teacher asking dating advice from a student and then sharing the results of the advise. Yes, it is slightly amusing and necessary for the story, but it's just weird.

Jacques Roy read Galgorithm. I really enjoyed his voice and he was very believable as Shane. He also gave the other characters different voices by his inflection and tone of voice. I could hear the different personalities in each person. Timing of the text was also spot on. I would listen to Roy again.

Music was at the beginning and end of the audiobook. It was jazzy and smooth and I felt that it fit with the book.

Reviewed from an Audiobook Jukebox copy. Thank you, Simon & Schuster Audio!

Audio Book Details...
Galgorithm by Aaron Karo
Read by Jacques Roy
Produced by Simon & Schuster
Number of Discs: MP3 download
Total Time: 6 hours, 26 minutes
Release Date: May 2015
ISBN: 9781442387829

Review: Gettysburg Address & Emancipation Proclamation

Have your read the Gettysburg Address? Or the Emancipation Proclamation? For myself, it's been a while since I've dived into these historical documents. I think the only time I've been asked to read these pieces was during my high school American History class. It was good to hear Abraham Lincoln's words again. The Gettysburg Address and Emancipation Proclamation were shared during 1863, but both pieces are still shared and talked about because of their significance in American history.

Robertson Dean narrated both pieces on one CD. Each piece is very short and to the point. Dean read them on the CD rather than performed, proclaimed, or reenacted them. He reminded me of how a professor or teacher with a pleasing voice would share these during class. Dreamscape Media added a bit of music at the beginning and the end of the CD which was fun. The music was very appropriate and early American sounding with drums and winds.

I think students or history lovers would enjoy listening to this audio CD. It would work well in a classroom setting or a quick audio on the way to school.

Reviewed from an Audiobook Jukebox copy. Thank you, Dreamscape Media, LLC!

Audio Book Details...
Gettysburg Address & Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln
Read by Robertson Dean
Produced by Dreamscape Media, LLC
Number of Discs: 1
Total Time: 9 minutes
ISBN: 1633796833

The Greatest Gift

The Greatest Gift: A Christmas Tale by Philip Van Doren Stern

Have you heard of The Greatest Gift? Are you familiar with the Christmas movie, It's a Wonderful Life? The Greatest Gift was the inspiration for that classic film! The first time I heard about it was after my high school theatre production of It's a Wonderful Life. My parents gifted me a hard copy of The Greatest Gift. I was not familiar with this little book and mum explained that this book was the inspiration for the play I recently participated in at school. Thanks, Mum for the introduction!

I was so thrilled to see the audiobook available from Simon & Schuster Audio. This tiny tale was meant to be shared and reach out to everyone. The Greatest Gift is a about discovering life and worth. If you've watched George Bailey's life in the movie, the story will be different and very brief in comparison. Frank Capra fleshed out the story and gave it more background, but the original message is still present. The greatest gift is life. Everyone is important and plays a roll in the world around them. It'a a beautiful story to share.

Edward Herrmann narrates Van Doren Stern's story. He has a good voice and shares the story with subtle flair throughout. It's not a radio play or a movie script, but a story. He isn't overly dramatic which is good. I believe the story should be heard, reflected upon, and savored.

Simon & Schuster Audio did add an afterward to their new audiobook publication. Philip Van Doren Stern's daughter Marguerite Stern Robinson wrote a brief memoir about the experience of The Greatest Gift and how it turned into It's a Wonderful Life. Robinson's afterward is read by Madeline Maby. This special tidbit is not advertised on the CD, the case, or the sleeve. I found that interesting and strange. Simon & Schuster Audio does share information about the afterward on their online product description.

Another enjoyable audio tidbit is the use of music. The music throughout is the song AuldLang Syne. The movie (and stage production) end with that song. It's a lovely piece to add to this audiobook edition.



Reviewed from an Audiobook Jukebox copy. Thank you, Simon & Schuster Audio!

Audio Book Details...
The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern 
Read by Edward Herrmann and Madeline Maby
Produced by Simon & Schuster Audio
Number of Discs: 1
Total Time: 45 minutes
ISBN: 9781442381582

Ghost Hawk

Ghost Hawk by Susan Cooper


It is Little Hawk's turn to become a man. He needs to survive three months in the woods - alone. When he returns to his people, he will be seen as a man. Unbeknownst to him, he will return a man, but face greater challenges when he returns home.

Wow. Wow! After I finished listening to Jim Dale read Susan Cooper's story I could not put into words my reaction or my review. I wanted to savor it and let it sink in. It was so captivating - a book that I might not read again, but a book that I will always take with me. Little Hawk is part of the whole story - as a child, a man, an observer, a friend. I fear saying too much, because I want readers to experience this story themselves. I could see where some of the storyline was going and wanted to reach in an intercede. Other parts of the story completely surprised me. I would recommend this tale to older middlers, high schoolers, and adults. It's a fantastical historical fiction piece that a wide range of readers will enjoy.

The amazing Jim Dale read Ghost Hawk. Most listeners are familiar with his renditions of Harry Potter, but he's read a wide range of pieces. He's a master of narration. I especially appreciate his use of silence and quiet. The use of a good pause to difficult to master and Dale does an excellent job.


Reviewed from an Audiobook Jukebox copy. Thank you, Simon & Schuster Audio!



Audio Book Details...
Ghost Hawk by Susan Cooper
Read by Jim Dale
Produced by Simon & Schuster Audio
Number of Discs: 7
Total Time: 8 hours
ISBN: 9781442364806

The Ghostwriter Secret

The Ghostwriter Secret: Brixton Brothers, Book 2 by Mac Barnett

Steve Brixton returns for another whirlwind detective adventure! With such a great success after solving The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity, Steve receives a call for help when a rare red diamond is stolen. But the missing diamond is only the beginning of the true mystery! MacArthur Bart, author of the Bailey Brothers Mysteries series is missing! Steve is on the case with some his best chum, Dana.

Another mystery novel not to be missed! Arte Johnson returns for another marvelous Mac Barnett mystery. I always rejoice when a followup book uses the voice talent from their previous books. If you enjoyed the first Brixton Brothers books, be sure to follow it up with The Ghostwriter Secret. The beautiful mix of modern and yesteryear combine again for a great audio story. Don't be surprised to find yourself slipping into the slang of the past!

Reviewed from a library copy.


View all my reviews

Audio Book Details...
The Ghostwriter Secret by Mac Barnett
Series: Book 2, The Brixton Brothers
Read by Arte Johnson
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 3
Total Time: 3 hours, 20 minutes