Listening Library is proud to announce this year’s Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults and Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Notable Children’s Recordings. Share these outstanding listens with your young patrons.
2016 YALSA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults
The 2016 Amazing Audiobooks list, comprised of fiction titles and nonfiction, features recordings covering a wide range of interests for young adults from historical fiction, to horror, to realistic fiction.
“We were really blown away by the quality of this year’s audiobooks.” said Chair Sarah Hashimoto. “These titles take audios to the next level of excellence, with thrilling sound effects, music, character voices, and more. There’s something here for every teen, including fast-paced adventure, fantasy, horror, and romance.”
Use the slider below to see Listening Library’s 11 Amazing Audiobook selections.
GABI, A GIRL IN PIECESby Isabel Quintero
Read by Kyla Garcia
Gabi Hernandez poetically chronicles everything from her best friend’s pregnancy to her father’s meth addiction to her own obsession with food. Garcia effortlessly incorporates the Spanish language and highlights the lyrical poetry found throughout the book.
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HALF WILDby Sally Green
Read by Carl Prekopp
Nathan is determined to find his love, Annalise, while struggling with the magical gifts he has received from his reviled father. Prekopp’s intense narration, combined with a plethora of additional sound effects, makes for a compelling listen.
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ILLUMINAEby Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Read by Johnathan McClain, Lincoln Hoppe, Olivia Taylor Dudley, and Various
Upon surviving the obliteration of their planet, Kady and ex-boyfriend Ezra team up to reveal the truth behind the government’s lies. Amazing sound effects and a full cast of narrators grip listeners with action and heart. Learn more about the production of this audiobook here.
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LAIR OF DREAMSby Libba Bray
Read by January LaVoy
In the sparkling world of 1920’s New York, Evie, Sam, and the other Diviners are drawn into a gathering evil that is creeping into the dreams of unsuspecting sleepers. With haunting melodies and skillful accents from the Louisiana bayou to Chinatown, LaVoy pulls out all the stops for this stunning performance. Meet Narrator January LaVoy here. LISTEN TO A CLIP:
UNBROKEN (THE YOUNG ADULT ADAPTATION)by Laura Hillenbrand
Read by Edward Herrmann
Louis Zamperini’s plane crashes in the Pacific Ocean during World War II, and he manages to survive being a castaway and living in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. Herrmann’s strong, smooth cadence brings the listener both excitement and dread in this incredible biography.
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ALL THE BRIGHT PLACESby Jennifer Niven
Read by Kirby Heyborne and Ariadne Meyers
After Theodore “Freak” Finch talks down popular Violet Markey from the school bell tower, they team up for a project wandering Indiana. Meyers’ authentic teen voice captures Violet’s fear and heartbreak; Heyborne voices Finch with such vibrancy it makes his descent all the more heartbreaking.
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DENTON LITTLE’S DEATHDATEby Lance Rubin
Read by the Author
Denton Little–like most people–has always known the exact day he will die, but now finds his world turned upside-down. Rubin’s thorough knowledge of his own characters and story makes this one enjoyable ride.
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AN EMBER IN THE ASHESby Sabaa Tahir
Read by Fiona Hardingham and Steve West
While spying for the Resistance in the Empire’s stronghold, Laia finds a surprising ally in Elias, a deadly warrior who has secrets of his own. Hardingham and West embody the vulnerability and gritty strength of both characters as they fight to survive. Read Sabaa Tahir’s blog about the audiobook here.
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LOCKWOOD & CO., BOOK THREE: THE HOLLOW BOYby Jonathan Stroud
Read by Emily Bevan
Lockwood & Co. continue fighting supernatural phenomena plaguing London. Bevan’s spot-on pacing and numerous voices make for a thrilling adventure.
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JOURNEY TO STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS MOVING TARGET: A PRINCESS LEIA ADVENTUREby Cecil Castellucci and Jason Fry
Read by January LaVoy
Accompanied by a colorful, ragtag crew, Princess Leia embarks on a dangerous decoy mission while the Rebels prepare for the Battle of Endor. Authentic music and sound effects work together to create a soundscape that will convert any listener into a diehard Star Wars fan.
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SLASHER GIRLS AND MONSTER BOYSStories selected by April Genevieve Tucholke
Read by Various
This collection of 14 short stories explores the demented, psychological, and grim tales of the teenage world. A full cast of narrators gives a distinct identity to each of the characters and will make the listener think twice before reading in the dark.
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2016 ALSC Notable Children’s Recordings
The Notable Children’s Recordings list includes recordings for children 14 years of age and younger of especially commendable quality that demonstrate respect for young people’s intelligence and imagination; exhibit venturesome creativity; and reflect and encourage the interests of children and young adolescents in exemplary ways.
Use the slider below to see Listening Library’s 6 Notable Children’s Recording selections.
APPLEBLOSSOM THE POSSUMby Holly Goldberg Sloan
Read by Dustin Hoffman
Be ready to laugh out loud as you listen to Dustin Hoffman read Holly Goldberg Sloan’s story of Appleblossom and her family of possums.
Ages 6-10
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THE BOYS IN THE BOAT (YOUNG READERS ADAPTATION)by Daniel James Brown
Read by Mark Bramhall
Mark Bramhall both breaks and warms the listener’s heart as he narrates the story of working class boys on a university rowing team that makes it to the 1936 Olympics. Ages 12 and up
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MOST DANGEROUSby Steve Sheinkin
Read by Ray Porter
Ray Porter engages the listener in the true story of Daniel Ellsberg’s decision to release top-secret documents related to America’s role in the Vietnam War. Ages 12 and up.
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MS. RAPSCOTT’S GIRLSby Elise Primavera
Read by Katherine Kellgren
With humor and lots of energy, Katherine Kellgren gives voice to indomitable headmistress Ms. Rapscott and the five wayward students. Ages 8-12
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THE ODDS OF GETTING EVENby Sheila Turnage
Read by Lauren Fortgang
Mo and Dale don’t see eye to eye in their latest case full of eccentric Southern characters humorously voiced by Lauren Fortgang. Ages 9-12
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THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFEby Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Read by Jayne Entwistle
Jayne Entwistle’s moving narration and expertise with a variety of British accents make this story of Ada in World War II a riveting listen. Ages 9-14
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