Looking for the best audiobooks to recommend to young readers? The ALSC 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.”
You can view the committee’s full list of 2021 selections here—and join us in celebrating the 11 outstanding Listening Library picks below!
“Narrator Bahni Turpin sensitively dramatizes a story for younger listeners about sexual abuse…Turpin fully realizes Della’s mix of innocence, resilience, and courage as she confronts an unkind teacher, a bullying student, and her sister’s pain. Authenticity abounds in the story’s dialogue and situations.”—AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award winner
“The strong writing gives Della’s world both heartbreak and humor; Turpin’s narration radiates the range of emotions. Acknowledging the difficulty of voicing hard things like sexual abuse, this book emphasizes the power of finding one’s fighting words to tell one’s own story. Della, as voiced by Turpin, masterfully shares hers.”—Booklist, starred audio review
“Reinders’ chipper performance nails exactly the tone of the precocious narrator of the story.”—Booklist, starred audio review
“Jacobs’s respectful and nuanced performance is not to be missed.”—AudioFile
“Abdullah’s lively characterizations are perfect—from the high-pitched and hilarious Gum Baby to the menacing Shambleman. Truly excellent.”—AudioFile Magazine Earphones Award Winner
“Abdullah brings it all together to recreate another entertaining adventure.”—Booklist, starred audio review
“Skillful soundscaping and a full cast heighten the atmosphere and emotion in this audiobook, inspired by the childhood of coauthor Omar Mohamed. . .Collectively, it’s a moving and memorable listening experience.”—AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award winner
“The audiobook edition of Omar Mohamed’s autobiography, originally a graphic novel account co-authored with Victoria Jamieson, offers listeners an experience of perfection in its storytelling, format shifting, and performance.”—Booklist, starred audio review
“Earnest and humorous, Michael Crouch effectively voices Ross as he undergoes treatment for an eye cancer, while Marc Thompson’s sound effect-laden delivery of the comic adventures of BatPig help drive the story forward.”— ALSC NCR Committee
“Michael Crouch’s first-person narration is spot-on. . . [and] Marc Thompson provid[es] an exaggerated announcer voice and silly voices for Batpig’s adversaries.”— AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award Winner
Click here to view the 2021 list of YALSA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults!