Fear Itself

Fear Itself by Andrew Clements

Fear Itself is the second book in the Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School series by Andrew Clements. Clements continues the story right immediately from book one - We the Children. The closing scene involves preparations for a boat race. The opening scene is the boat race. Mystery, adventure, and believable characters keeps these tales moving! Clements uses cliffhangers very well in Keepers of the School. I'm at the edge of my seat waiting for book three - Whites of Their Eyes - coming January 2012.

I was pleased to hear the return of narrator Keith Nobbs. Continuing with the same reader for books in a series is very appreciated! I hope to hear more from Nobbs in 2012.

Reviewed from a library copy.


Audio Book Details...
Fear Itself by Andrew Clements
Series: Book 2, Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School
Read by Kevin Nobbs
Produced by Simon Schuster Audio
Number of Discs: 3
Total Time: 3 hours, 30 minutes

No Passengers Beyond This Point

No Passengers Beyond This Point by Gennifer Choldenko

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The Tompkin siblings are traveling on an adventure. Their home was sold and they're on their way to live with their Uncle. Strangely enough before their reach their Uncle's home, they discover the city of Falling Bird. Mom told them to stay together, but it's difficult in Falling Bird and even worse to try to find answers.


Are you familiar with Choldenko's Al Capone series? If not, I would highly recommend those two books. If you are familiar with Al Capone, don't jump into this novel with the same mindset of historical fiction. No Passengers Beyond This Point is a modern tale of loss, questions, tragedy, answers, and family. A very good friend recommended this book, but warned me...this is not like her other stories. Too true, friend. I was intrigued by the layout of the plot. As an adult, I guessed the answer too soon. I believe the wonder of Falling Bird will amaze elementary students when they listen or read this story.


No Passengers Beyond This Point was read by three named artist - Becca Battoe, Jesse Berstein and Tara Sands - one for each child. I recongized Jesse's voice at the actor for Percy Jackson. It was very difficult not to picture Percy Jackson. The gals were all right. Becca shared a very amused and annoyed elder sibling. Tara shared an enthusiastic and inquisitive young child. All in all - they pegged the roles well. Using multiple voices worked well with the books as each chapter featured a different sibling. I would like to see this style demonstrated in other novels.



Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
No Passengers Beyond This Point by Gennifer Choldenko
Read by Becca Battoe, Jesse Bernstein and Tara Sands
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 5
Total Time: 6 hours, 6 minutes  

Never Stop Listening

Welcome to Adolescent Audio Adventures! Although Internet connections might come and go, jobs might change or a move might occur, I encourage you to never stop listening to audio books. Audio books entertain, enlighten, and engage. This year has been an amazing adventure! I will be posting the books I have enjoyed over the last couple months. Feel free to share what you have been enjoying as well! Happy listening, friends!

Secrets of a Civil War Submarine

Secrets of a Civil War Submarine by Sally M. Walker


Non-fiction books can be difficult to wade through for some readers. Audiobooks are a great way to enjoy dynamic stories of history. Susan Walker writes an amazing story about the H.L. Hunley. The Hunley was the first submarine to sink and an enemy ship. (Note: it wasn't the first submarine in history but it was one of the earliest.) Unfortunately, after the sinking of the enemy ship, the Hunley failed to return to port. Years and decades of searching ensued. It wasn't until the 1990's that the Hunley returned to the headlines.


Secrets of a Civil War Submarine follows the history before the discovery and the steps to recover the submarine. This story didn't end with the final audio track either. The Hunley continues to be studied and enjoyed by researches, historians, archeologists, students and more.



Don't assume that non-fiction accounts are dull. J.R. Horne shares the Hunley's tale in an excellent matter-of-fact narration. It's a lively tale that begs readers to learn more about this mysterious piece of history.

If you'd like another Non-fiction Civil War era audiobook, check out Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
Secrets of a Civil War Submarine: Solving the Mysteries of the H.L. Hunley by Sally M. Walker
Read by J. R. Horne
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 3
Total Time: 2 hours, 34 minutes 

The Candymakers

The Candymakers by Wendy Mass

For sugar lovers, candy books beckon from library shelves. Patrick Skene Catling wrote The Chocolate Touch in 1952 and Brandon Mull wrote The Candy Shop War in 2007. Wendy Mass added to the collection of candy chronicles with The Candymakers.


Mass combines the love of candy with the reality of how people are connected to each other. Twelve-year-old Logan, Miles, Daisy and Phillip meet at the Life is Sweet Candy Factory to create the next award winning candy. They are working for the general goal of making candy, but they cannot comprehend how each of their lives are intertwined. As the children get to know each other, they realize how their past actions influenced the people they are today.


Listening to this novel is eye opening, considering the book is divided into sections. Paging through an actual book, the reader could discover such information prior to reading. Without the benefit of the printed word, surprises are revealed at every new track. Mysteries are solved while deep friendships are built. Wonderful humor is sprinkled throughout story with an adventure in candy making.


I enjoyed Mark Turetsky's narration of The Candymakers. Each character's voice had their own tone and delivery. Overall, Phillip's voice was my least favorite to hear. On a voiceover sidenote, the narrator who shared the audiobook details at the beginning of each disk was the narrator of Drizzle, Maria Cabezas

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
The Candymakers by Wendy Mass
Read by Mark Turetsky
Produced by Recorded Books
Number of Discs: 10
Total Time: 11 hours, 45 minutes 

Love a Good Listen

An excellent audiobook needs a compelling storyline, interesting characters and a dynamic narrator. An audiobook reader makes the story come alive for the listener. Readers can also let the book fall flat and disappoint their audience. Every book is a new adventure!

I love a good listen. Discovering an adventurous reader is a great joy as an audiobook enthusiast. If you have been following Adolescent Audio Adventures for the last month, you might have seen a trend - a Jim Dale trend. Jim Dale is well-known for his renditions of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. But before he shared his narration talents, Jim Dale was a singer, a stage actor and a Disney star. He is a very talented man and I am thrilled to be able to listen to his voice. If you would like a glimpse of Jim Dale's career, stop by his website: www.jim-dale.com.

Do have a favorite audiobook narrator? Let me know! I would love to hear about the books and readers you enjoy.

The Emerald Atlas

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Kate's mother entrusted Kate with her two younger siblings. Kate was four years old. Flash forward ten years where the three siblings are shipped off to yet another orphanage. The eldest, Kate, desires to keep her family together. Michael continues to explore the world of dwarfs through a book from his father. Emma, the youngest, picks a fight with, well, anyone who crosses her. Their goal as a family is to remain together until their parents find them.

Cambridge Falls is their new location. They meet the adults of the orphanage Miss Sallow, Abraham and Dr. Stanislaus Pym. They explore their new home and find a blank book with an emerald cover. By sticking an old photo in the pages they are transported through time: Cambridge Falls in the past. New and ancient characters come to play - the Countess, Screechers, the Secretary and creatures from the mountain.

Stephans creates a fabulous fantasy novel. It's reminiscent of Lord of the Rings trilogy with magic, creatures and the hunt for a prized possession. Other reviewers comment about elements similar to Harry Potter and the Chronicles of Narnia. It was very compelling read. The next book cannot come soon enough.

Jim Dale returns to read this new trilogy. He's a solid reader for such a fantastical tale. I hope the publishers will continue using Dale for the next installments.

Audio Book Details...
The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens
Series: Book 1, The Books of Beginning
Read by Jim Dale
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 10
Total Time: 11 hours, 38 minutes

The Boy with the Cuckoo-Clock Heart

The Boy with the Cuckoo-Clock Heart by Mathias Malzieu

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I enjoy listening to Jim Dale's renditions of classic tales and new novels. Hunting through CDs available through my library system, I discovered a new book: The Boy with the Cuckoo-Clock Heart. I clicked to read more...Scotland, orphaned youngster, clockpart heart, adult book on cd. Interesting. Maybe this book has a steampunk twist? Did they shelve it incorrectly in the system? The book involves a baby turned young man. It could possibly be a young adult novel. Beyond the brief overview, I discovered the author is a French musician. It should be an intriguing read.


It was a very memoriable book. Malzieu wrote about the journey of love - its triumphs, its heartaches, its regrets. He also flavored his tale with revenge. The story begins with a newborn Jack. The clock gave him life when he was born on the coldest day on earth. (His cuck-coo clock was not a steampunk addition to his body.) Jack's life changed forever upon seeing Miss Acacia when he was ten. The young man grew up, discovered hate and love. Jack journeyed through his life searching for love, trying to overcome his strange wooden heart. The book was cataloged correctly, it is an adult novel. It's a haunting tale that includes a hero (if you can call him a hero).


Jim Dale read the complete story with Scottish brogue. He did is so well that I forgot it was Jim Dale reading the story.


Audio Book Details...
The Boy with the Cuckoo-Clock Heart by Mathias Malzieu
Read by Jim Dale
Produced by Blackstone Audio Inc.
Number of Discs: 5
Total Time: 5 hours


The Boy with the Cuckoo-Clock Heart: A Novel at Amazon (Affiliate)

Peter Pan

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie


Are you familiar with the flying little boy who never grew up? It's a play. It's a movie. It's a book! I would recommend this title to anyone who never wished to grow up.


Narrator Jim Dale returns to read another classic tale. I did expect to hear him break into Disney songs, but that never happened while I listened. I did follow the Disney storyline and stage storyline throughout the book version. Of course, none of the three versions are the same, so it's an interesting listen.



Side notes about Peter Pan --

-- Jim Dale received a Grammy Award Nomination in 2007 for his audiobook.

-- The royalties from sale of this audiobook benefit the Great Ormond Street Hospital for children located in London.

-- J. M. Barrie's inspiration for Peter Pan came from the Llewelyn Davies family.

Reviewed from a library copy.


Audio Book Details...
Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie
Read by Jim Dale
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 5
Total Time: 5 hours, 14 minutes

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll


Ready for the magic of living in dreams? Take a journey with Lewis Carroll's Alice. Alice journeys to places only dreamed about by little boys and girls around the world. Can you imagine growing so large you tower over the world or shrinking so small you nearly disappear? It's a wonderful adventure of imagination. I would encourage you to take the trip.

Many narrators voiced this work of art over the years. I selected Jim Dale's rendition of Alice. He's a talented stage, screen and voice actor. It's a pleasure to listen to his soothing British accent. He cleverly creates voices for each character in the book. On a Disney note, I kept waiting for Mr. Dale to burst into song. He share Carroll's poems, stories and a ditty or two, but never a mainstream song that so many of us know by heart. Thank you for a great classic rendition, Mr. Dale.


Reading with My Ears also reviewed an audiobook of Alice in Wonderland.

Reviewed from a library copy.

 Audio Book Details...
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Read by Jim Dale
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 3
Total Time: 2 hours, 57 minutes