OverDrive & For Young Women Only

Are you familiar with OverDrive? They are a digital resource that shares eBooks and Audiobooks. It typically can be found through your local library. With your library card, you have access to an amazing amount a free materials.

Previously, I only used OverDrive for my eReader. It's free, fast, and works with a wide range of devices! Recently, I downloaded the app for my super phone and figured out how to download an audiobook.

Wow! What a smooth way to enjoy an audiobook! I downloaded an available book and listened to the whole thing in two days. (I started with a short title, so it could be enjoyed quickly.) With the fast turnaround, I feel that the world is at my fingertips! I cannot wait to dive in and enjoy more audios via my super phone.

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For Young Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa Author Rice

For Young Women Only was created to give young women a glimpse into how males process information, build relationships, and relate to women. The information shared in this brief book was garnered from a nation-wide survey and focus groups. (The survey results can be viewed on the book's website.) Shaunti shares the results and adds tidbits of information from her other book, For Women Only as well as a few Bible passages throughout the text. I appreciated the time they took to research and share their findings. Lots of food for thought! I think this title can be read (or heard) multiple times over and enjoyed each time.

Ms. Feldhahm was the narrator for the book For Young Women Only. I originally heard Shaunti Feldhahn in an interview on the radio several years ago. It was good to hear her voice again as she shared her book. I would enjoy listening to her again.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
For Young Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa Author Rice
Read by Shaunti Feldhahn
Produced by Oasis Audio 
Number of Discs: MP3 download (3 parts)
Total Time: 3 hours, 18 minutes
ISBN: 9781608142194

Mandela: An Audio History

Mandela: An Audio History by Desmond Tutu


Mandela: An Audio History is a brief overview of Mandela's freedom fight. For those who are not familiar with Mandela's story this audio is a very brief overview (1 hour, 15 minutes). It highlights moments and events that can whet the appetite and give a glimpse into the history of South Africa. I would recommend this piece to teens, young adults, and adults. It would be a great accompanying piece for a unit study on South Africa, Mandela, or apartheid.

What I enjoyed most about this commemorative edition was the depth of audio achieved in an hour and fifteen minutes. The layers are astounding! In just over an hour, listeners can hear interviews, speeches, radio and television reports, and singing. I can only imagine the length of time editing this CD.

Another interesting side feature was investigating "Radio Diaries" on the back of the CD case. Are there more diaries available? Who do they include? Did HighBridge publish them all? What an amazing find! I would encourage you to check out www.radiodiaries.org. Radio Diaries are "Extraordinary Stories of Ordinary Life" and the creators have collected all sorts of stories that can be heard (for free) online! I cannot wait to explore more Radio Diaries!

Reviewed from an Audiobook Jukebox copy. Thank you, HighBridge Audio!


Audio Book Details...
Mandela: An Audio History by Radio Diaires
Hosted by Desmond Tutu
Produced by HighBridge Audio
Number of Discs: 1
Total Time: 1 hours, 15 minutes
ISBN: 9781622314331 

Wonder

Wonder by R.J. Palacio


Palacio shares a slice of life in the fifth-grader year of August "Auggie" Pullman. He was home schooled until this point and now it was time to attend a "normal" school. It's never easy adjusted to a new school, but Auggie also struggles to fit in because of his facial deformity.

The story begins from August's point of view, but then travels to his sibling and new school friends. The past and present are shared with each chapter and each individual who shares their thoughts and reactions. The story reflects on overcoming obstacles and building relationships. It's a story that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages - elementary, middle, high school, and adult. The various character's make the story come full circle and adds satisfying depths.

Several narrators shared the reading of Wonder including Nick Podehl, Kate Rudd, and Diana Steele. With so many characters sharing their narratives, it was an excellent choice to have a variety of readers. I wish it were possible for more narrators. In an ideal world, a different narrator for each character would have been fabulous! I enjoyed the three readers and overall they had distinctive voices for each character.

Reviewed from a library copy.


Audio Book Details...
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Read by Nick Podehl, Kate Rudd, and Diana Steele
Produced by Brilliance Audio
Number of Discs: 7
Total Time: 8 hours, 12 minutes
ISBN: 9781455844197 

Splendors and Glooms

Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz

"Newbery Medal winner Laura Amy Schlitz’s Victorian gothic is a rich banquet of dark comedy, scorching magic, and the brilliant and bewitching storytelling that is her trademark."

Clara Wintermute is fascinated with puppets. She requests to have them at her birthday party. Her parents arrange to have Grisini come to the house and present a puppet show with his two young assistants Lizzie Rose Fawr and Parsefall Hooke. The next day, Clara disappears. Grisini is suspesced of kidnapping but the police find nothing in the rented rooms of the puppeteers. Lizzie Rose is saddened, Parsefall is suspicious, and Grisini is smooth and sly. And the twisted tale goes on with magic, travel, mourning, rejoicing, dogs, blood, and reunions!

I began reading this tale last year, but I wanted to listen to it because I heard various good reviews about audio edition. I waited until a local library added it to their catalog and then placed a hold. My original thoughts were very uncertain. I only read a couple chapters, but I had an uneasy feeling about the magic qualities. I adore puppetry, so I wanted to give the complete story a chance.

The magic in the book consisted of supernatural kind with spells and curses rather than the fantastical type with superpowers or time travel. Taking place in Victorian England there were various moments of darkness, fear, poverty, and grime. Every time I heard Grisini's name, I pictured it to be Grease-eeny. He was a greasy character, so the name fit him well. Grisini's "master" was the witch Cassandra. She was quite the manipulator. The children were the best characters and of course the story wrapped around them because this book was written for readers of their ages. Beyond the Clara mystery, Grisini, Cassandra, and the children, there were several other story lines and themes threaded through the book. The Wintermute's were an entire side story with their mourning and recovery. The puppets were also a main theme with first Grisini using them then Parsefall claiming them.

Splendors and Glooms is a very involved story. I would recommend it to Middle Schoolers rather than Elementary students. The story is rather dark and there are a couple language "flourishes" that some parents and readers might not enjoy.

Narrator Davina Porter shared the story well. Her characters were distinct from each other. She captured Parsefall's surliness very well while Lizzi Rose's presice speech reminded me of Audrey Hepburn's portrayal of Eliza Dolittle in My Fair Lady.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Publishers Weekly Q & A with Author Schlitz

Audio Book Details...
Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz
Read by Davinia Porter
Produced by Recorded Books
Number of Discs: 10
Total Time: 12 hours
ISBN: 9781449835729

We Hold These Truths

We Hold These Truths by Andrew Clements

We Hold These Truths is the final installment of Benjamin Pratt & and the Keepers of the School. The final days of school are here and it's now or never for the Keepers to find the final safeguards.

I have been waiting to listen to this book! The Keepers needed to find two more safeguards and the end of school is days away when the last book ended. The pressure builds and Ben finds himself in a new role as manager. The Keepers' plans need to be bigger, bolder, and faster. They also need to stay on the right side of the law. I hesitate to say too much about the storyline because I don't want to give any spoilers or potential spoilers. Relationships do become tense between Keepers and between Janitors. The ending was satisfying. Clements wrapped it up nicely and gave a look to the future as well.

For previous Keeper readers, this is an exciting conclusion to the end of the series. For new Keepers, this final title is exciting as well because all the books are available! There is no need to wait! Check them all out at the library and listen to one right after the other. It's a great story for elementary students and families.

Narrator Keith Nobbs finishes the Keepers series. Thank you, Simon & Schuster for completing the series with one narrator! Nobbs performance was still enjoyable. He maintained the character voices and personalities that he began with We the Children in 2010.

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

Audio Book Details...
We Hold These Truths by Andrew Clements
Series: Book 5, Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School
Read by Keith Nobbs
Produced by Simon & Schuster Audio
Number of Discs: 4
Total Time: 4 hours, 30 minutes
ISBN: 9781442357044

Three Years of Audiobooks

Adolescent Audio Adventures began on February 25, 2011. I wanted to share my joy of audiobooks with others who enjoy listening to books. It's been another amazing audio year and it's time to take stock of all the books I heard over 2013. Let's break it down...


Juvenile Fiction [estimated trt: 4 days, 12 hours, 5 minutes]

We Hold These Truths
Wonder
Twelve Kinds of Ice
Children of the Dust Bowl
The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandits
Ghost Hawk
P. K. Pinkerton and the Petrified Man
The Pirate's Coin
Bread Crumbs
Mr. Lincoln's High-Tech War
In Harm's Way
A Tangle of Knots
The One and Only Ivan
The Mighty Miss Malone
Iron Hearted Violet
Jingo Django
Small Steps
In a Glass Grimmly
Liar & Spy



Adult [trt: 17 hours, 26 minutes]
Dad is Fat
Last Child in the Woods

21 books (and over 125 hours) were counted in this year's review.  One more title than last year, but a few hours difference. Quite a surprise to figure out each year's summary. The most memorable titles when I look back at the list include Last Child in the Woods, The Mighty Miss Malone, Mr. Lincoln's High-Tech War, Island of Silence, A Tangle of Knots, and the last books from the Keepers of the School series.

This year I am looking forward to Island of Fire, A Grimm Conclusion, P.K. Pinkerton and the Pistol-Packing Widows, the final Books of Beginning title and the titles available this summer at Audiobook SYNC. What book or books are you looking forward to hearing this year?

Twelve Kinds of Ice

Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed


"Twelve kinds of ice are carved into twenty vignettes, each exulting the beauty of ice and ice skating that comes year after year" - from audiobook back

Ellen Bryan Obed reflects and shares her childhood wonder of different kinds of ice. It begins with a thin layer that cracks when touched and end with dreams of ice. It's a short and endearing book that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Obed shares her childhood Winter experiences that today's audience can enjoy and associated with their own Winter experiences. It might be difficult for warm weather readers who haven't experienced icy sports or freezing weather, but it can lead them on new adventures!

If the reader/listener chooses to listen without the book, the classical illustrations by Barbara McClintock will be missed. She drew beautiful pictures in pen and ink. I would recommend having the book and audiobook paired together.

Narrator Jessica Almasy reads Obed's story very well. She conveys the sense of wonder with each different kind of ice. I appreciated that aspect. The pauses between chapters were a breath to long for me, but it's because each ends with an ellipsis(...). As I said, it's a personal pause preference and don't let it stop you from enjoying this wonderful Winter story.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed
Read by Jessica Almasy
Produced by Recorded Books
Number of Discs: 1
Total Time: .25 hours
ISBN: 9781470363864

Children of the Dust Bowl

Children of the Dust Bowl: The True Story of the School at Weedpatch Camp by Jerry Stanley

Children of the Dust Bowl briefly shares the trials and triumphs of Okies moving from Okalahoma to California. They were looked down upon and rejected. Their children were ridiculed and turned out of schools. Leo Hart saw the Okie children and knew they needed a safe place to live and learn. He helped to build Weedpatch school and became their voice and their savior.

The Dust Bowl was such an interesting part of American history. I knew bits and pieces, but never in-depth knowledge. This short piece of non-fiction was fascinating. I never knew that the Okies were rejected by so many and that their struggles were so heartbreaking. Stanley shares just a small glimpse of Weedpatch Camp history and it was heartening to hear about Hart's part in helping the migrant families. It only takes one person to make a difference! I would highly recommend this title to middle-schoolers, high-schoolers, and adults. The prejudice is harsh and shocking, but the growth of one school created by one man brought an entire county together again.

Fred Sullivan narrates Children of the Dust Bowl. I previously heard him read Mr. Lincoln's High-tech War. Again, it's an easy listen on the ears. Sullivan adds happiness and outrage when needed. I would listen to a book narrated by Sullivan again. He has a great voice for non-fiction.

Reviewed from an Audiobook Jukebox copy. Thank you, AudioGo/Downpour!

Audio Book Details...
Children of the Dust Bowl: The True Story of the School at Weedpatch Camp by Jerry Stanley
Read by Fred Sullivan
Produced by AudioGo
Number of Discs: MP3 Download
Total Time: 1.4 hours

The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit

The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit by Octavia Spencer

Randi Rhodes is proud of her sleuthing that she employed as a detective in her Brooklyn neighborhood. Unfortunately, case number thirty-two is her last. Her father is moving the family - Randi and himself - to Deer Creek, Tennessee. From the hustle and bustle urban life to country living in a resort town. The biggest news is the celebration of Founders' Day and the opening of the 200 year old time-capsule. But boring small-town life quickly turns exciting when the historic time-capsule goes missing and strange secret service agents are swarming the town. Randi needs to dust off her detective skills and get to work!

The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit is the first Randi Rhodes mystery in the Randi Rhodes series. An untitled book number two is coming out in Fall of 2014.

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I was so thrilled to receive an audiobook copy to review! Ms. Spencer brings so much energy to her movies, as well as, her narration from the audiobook, "The Help". I was vastly looking forward to hearing her voice again.

My first reaction to her audio was slight disappointment. Her narration was flatter than I thought it would be, but I need to step back from my castles in the air and listen to reality. She's reading a story, not putting on a play or movie. It's a fine reading! She's dynamic and gives her characters different voices and remains consistent throughout the book. At one point I did think she was showing off when she had so many different cultural characters in her story, but the location of her story is in a resort town. A resort brings in people from all over the area, so a wide variety of citizen (temporary or permanent) is natural. My favorite character was the cantankerous old man who is accused of stealing the time-capsule.

All in all, it's an easy-listen story. The mystery is fun and suspenseful. The town is small-town America where everyone knows everyone. Readers who like mysteries (or ninjas) will enjoy this book. If a young reader is going through a move, this could be a good story for them. I would recommend this book to tween readers (roughly, 4th-6th graders). I am interested to see what adventure Ms. Spencer creates for the next installment of Randi Rhodes Ninja Detective.

Reviewed from an Audiobook Jukebox copy. Thank you, Simon & Schuster Audio! The opinions are my own and no monetary compensation was offered to me for my review.


Audio Book Details...
The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit by Octavia Spencer
Series: Book 1, Randi Rhodes Ninja Detective
Read by Octavia Spencer
Produced by Simon & Schuster Audio
Number of Discs: 4
Total Time: 4 hours, 27 minutes
ISBN: 9781442364264

SYNC is Returning!

 SYNC 2014 is coming! Their blog just announced that another summer of amazing audiobooks are returning. If you're never heard of SYNC it is "the audiobook publishers’ and AudioFile Magazine’s commitment to introducing the listening experience to your young adult audience."

Over the summer they offer a pairing of two audiobooks each week. Typically they pair a classic title with a modern Young Adult piece. Something for everyone all summer long! They'll be announcing their lineup in late January. Be sure to check out their schedule next year!