100 Cupboards

100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson


Henry York leaves his sheltered Boston life and moves to Henry, Kansas to live with his relatives after his parents go missing. Learning to live with his extended family and small town life is a new experience for Henry. But baseball, tumbleweeds and living in an attic are just the beginning! Henry and cousin Henrietta discover hidden doors in his attic room. The doors lead seem to lead ot other worlds...but are the other worlds safe?


The cover of 100 Cupboards compelled me the most. Who wouldn't want to explore a wall full of cupboards? Unfortunately, this was my second try at listening to this book. The storyline was a bit slow in the beginning. The pace didn't pick up until late in the book. The storyline wove through family history, adventures in other worlds, mysterious people and the struggle between good and evil which are excellent themes for any fantasy book. For myself, I am not certain I'll continue with this series. A big part was not connecting with the reader, Russell Horton. His voice didn't drive me want to continue listening to the audiobook. My goal was to finish the story to see if I should continue with the series, but it was a conscious effort to listen to this book versus the radio or music CD. All in all, I think this story would be better enjoyed by reading it in book form.

Reviewed from a library copy.
 
Audio Book Details...
100 Cupboards by N. D. Wilson
Read by Russell Horton
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 5
Total Time: 6 hours, 23 minutes

Bless This Mouse

Bless This Mouse by Lois Lowry


Bless This Mouse shows us a small glimpse into the lives of church mice. In only a few days, the mice experience a Great X and the Blessings of the Animals. Mouse Mistress Hildegarde watches over her colony and figures out what is best for everyone to survive.


I selected this book because it was new, short and a book by a well-known author. My first impressions were shot the ground. The direction of this book was nothing that I pictured in my head. Lowry shares the simple lives of mice - eat, sleep, mate, die. She also describes a church building and associated items found in a church. It's a book like no other. I struggled at rating this book. The biggest influence was the jarring conversation at the end of the story. Hildegarde walks to the front to receive a blessing. Father Murphy blesses her and then proceeds to hold conversation with a mouse, who understands and converses back! This is the only time in the book where that happens. It took my aback. Understandably, it's a small detail, but if you do not appreciate anthropomorphism, this book is not for you. If you enjoy animals that act like humans, pick up Bless This Mouse for a quick read on a rainy day.


Bernadette Dunne gives an excellent reading. I enjoyed her lower octave female voice. She is also a well-known audiobook voice.

Reviewed from a library copy.

 

Audio Book Details...
Bless This Mouse by Lois Lowry
Read by Bernadette Dunne
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 2
Total Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Abby Carnelia's One & Only Magical Power

Abby Carnelia's One and Only Magical Power by David Pogue


Abby Carnelia wasn't looking for magic. It just appeared before her with a simple tug of an earlobe. After tugging her earlobe, a hard boiled egg spun around. It's different. It's freaky! Did other kids have such powers?


Abby's journey is amusing. If readers enjoy everyday magic, this would be an excellent read to pass along. If readers are more into fantasy magic, this selection would be easy to pass up. The best part of the book would be the author's notes at the end of the story. I wish his notes would have been at the beginning. I would have enjoyed this story with the extra background knowledge.


David Pogue writes for the New York Times. He also appears on television and blogs. As a reader, his rendition was all right. It felt a bit over the top to me. At times, his enunciation was not clear. It was rather amusing to hear a magic camp called, "Abra Cadaver." As I stated earlier, if a child is interested in reality based magic, this book is for you.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
Abby Carnelia's One & Only Magical Power by David Pogue
Read by David Pogue
Produced by Brilliance Audio
Number of Discs: 5
Total Time: 5 hours, 44 minutes

Beastly

Beastly by Alex Flinn


Beastly, the movie trailer, inspired me to seek out Beastly, the book. I prefer to read the original story before seeing a movie remake. Beastly the book is highly recommended if you enjoy retold fairy tales.

The story begins in a chat room with four fairy tales stories. The other chat room characters never weighed down the story of the Beast; they added a bit of flair. I think it also leaves an opening for more retold fairy tales by Alex Flinn.

Chris Patton shares Beastly beautifully. He captures the two identities of the Beast very well. The other characters also have their unique voice that remains strong throughout the book.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
Beastly by Alex Flinn
Read by Chris Patton
Produced by Brilliance Audio
Number of Discs: 6
Total Time:6 hours, 46 minutes

The Candy Shop War

The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull


Summer, Trevor and Pigeon meet the new kid in the neighborhood - Nate. Although, Nate isn't the only new character in town. Mrs. White, owner of the Sweet Tooth Candy Shop also arrives in town. Who can turn away from entering a candy store? The group of friends couldn't refuse. They just didn't expect to find so many adventures with magical candy.

I read Mull's Fablehaven series before The Candy Shop War. I adored Fablehaven, so naturally, I found Mull's previous story. Mull writes an imaginative and adventurous tale that will be enjoyed by kids of all ages. What sold me on this piece of fiction was the amazing final twist to the tale. Mull has a way of adding the perfect surprise twist that takes my breath away. I am looking forward to his new series - Beyonders.

Reader Emily Janice Card shares the story very well. Each character has a distinct voice that remains strong throughout the entire story.

Reviewed from a library copy.

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Audio Book Details...
The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull
Read by Emily Janice Card
Produced by Shadow Mountain
Number of Discs: 8
Total Time: 10 hours, 30 minutes 

Cloaked

Cloaked by Alex Flinn


Retold fairytales always draw my attention. I enjoyed the tales of Perrault, Andersen and Brothers Grimm. Creating new stories from classics always is an adventure. When I saw Cloaked, I pegged it as a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. A hint - not even close! The cloak refers to a magic cloak, not a red cloak. And Flinn wove one story out of seven little known fairytales. For myself, it was a little too many fairytale elements in one story. In one word, it was unbelievable. I am curious to read his first book, Beastly.


Alexander Cendese read the story with excellent teenage attitude.


Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
Cloaked by Alex Flinn
Read by Alexander Cendese
Produced by Brilliance Audio
Number of Discs: 6
Total Time:6 hours, 46 minutes

The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels -- A Love Story

The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels--A Love Story by Ree Drummond


Yes, this book is not from the youth department. It's from the grown-up section of the library. If you have heard about The Pioneer Woman from her previous book or from online, you will enjoy this audiobook. Ree shares the story of her "transition from spoiled city girl to domestic country wife." She fell in love with her husband,  Marlboro Man and changed her plans. Her original plans never included him or his life in the country. She dreamed of life in the big city. One meeting at local bar changed her life forever.

I fell in love with The Pioneer Woman and her first book: The Pioneer Woman Cooks. She inspired me to play in the kitchen. When I found another book was published, I ran to the computer to put it on hold at my local library. Then I discovered, she read her own story as an audiobook! I couldn't wait to listen! I adore authors who read their own work. It adds so much life to their story. They share the words written on paper, but also the inflection, intent and enjoyment of their tale. In conclusion, a hearty thank you to Ree for sharing her story with the world.

If you'd like read more about Ree, check out her blog: www.thepioneerwoman.com.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels -- a Love Story by Ree Drummond
Read by Ree Drummond
Produced by Dreamscape Media, LLC
Number of Discs: 10
Total Time: 11 hours, 2 minutes

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr

After reflected upon the tragedies of Japan, I remembered a book that I enjoyed during elementary school. Sadako contracted the "atom bomb disease" otherwise known as leukemia. A friend suggested folding 1,000 paper cranes. If 1,000 paper cranes were folded, a wish would be granted. Sadly, Sadako is overcome and could not fold 1,000 cranes. Yet, this sad story brings so much hope to the reader. It's the hope of looking for opportunity, looking at every day as a fresh, new start. Although, Eleanor Coerr wrote this fictional tale, Sadako was a real little girl. She did fold 1,000 cranes, but still passed away from the "atom bomb disease." She is remembered by people all over the globe. For information about Sadako, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadako_Sasaki


Narrator Christina Moore shares a beautiful story. She is straight forward with difficult topics of sickness and death.




Reviewed from a library copy.



Audio Book Details...
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr
Read by Christina Moore
Produced by Recorded Books, LLC
Number of Discs: 1
Total Time: 1 hour (with extras about Eleanor Coerr and Sadako)

Death Cloud

Death Cloud by Andrew Lane


I love sharing the title of this book: Death Cloud. What a great mystery with two words. I ignored the cover of Bieber-fever hair and went straight to the description on the back: "It is the summer of 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is fourteen." No need to read the rest of the description! It's Sherlock Holmes in his teen years. What events in this novel shape the future Holmes we know and love?

Sherlock begins his adventure with summer vacation at an elderly relative's house. Right away, two men die from a mysterious disease. Could it be the return of the plague? Holmes decides to investigate with his new friend, Matty. Along the way, his American-born tutor joins the adventure. This is only the first in the many planned adventures of Young Sherlock Holmes.

This opening novel is full of death, fights and villainy. I enjoyed the mystery and found myself laughing out loud at it's oddities, too. Holmes outstanding logic and perception stand out abruptly while he seems to be learning all the fascinating knowledge he displays later in life. His education is full of Latin and traditional boys' subjects of the 1800's. The American tutor enters the picture with knowledge about the natural world, tracking individuals, noticing details, etc. I never envisioned Holmes learning his tricks of the trade from an American, so that was quite a shock. All in all, there will be more Young Sherlock Holmes adventures that will be entertaining to follow. If you enjoy historical mysteries, I would highly recommend following this series with The Agency series by Y. S. Lee.

Narrator Dan Weyman is very enjoyable - beautiful English accent with gentle transitions from character to character. His American accent brings to mind a mixture of Mark Twain and Bill Clinton.


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Audio Book Details...
Death Cloud by Andrew Lane
Series: Book 1, Young Sherlock Holmes
Read by Dan Weyman
Produced by Macmillan Young Listeners
Number of Discs: 6
Total Time: 7 hours

Lulu and the Brontosaurus

Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst


Readers usually decide to read the book first, listen to the book first or read and listen to the book at the same time. For most audio selections, I listen to the book first and if I feel the need, pick up the hardcover later. Concerning Lulu and the Brontosaurus, I read the book first. The book's shape is unique (between the size a novel and an easy reader). The illustrations and typography added so much to the story. I would highly recommend reading the story. After reading the book, I spotted the audio book. With a little ditty spun throughout the story, I wanted to hear the narrator's rendition of the song.


Michele Medlin sang very well. I was pleased to hear that her beat closely reflected my beat while reading. Michele's voice works well with young character of Lulu. I prefer deeper voices for narrators, but children will relate well with Michele's sweet, young voice. All in all, it was amusing to hear the story, but I prefer reading Lulu and the Brontosaurus.

Reviewed from a library copy.

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Audio Book Details...
Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Lane Smith
Read by Michele O. Medlin
Produced by Recorded Books
Number of Discs: 1
Total Time: 45 minutes