Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube
    • Home
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Media Kit
    • About
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest TikTok
    The Children's Book Review
    Subscribe
    • Books by Subject
    • Books by Age
      • Ages 0-3, Infant and Toddler
      • Ages 4-8, Preschool to Elementary
      • Ages 9-12, Preteen and Tween
      • Ages 12+, Teen and Young Adult
      • Books for First Grade Readers
      • Books for Second Grade Readers
      • Books for Third Grade Readers
    • Favorites
      • Diverse and Inclusive Books
      • Books About Activism
      • Best Books for Kids
      • Star Wars Books
      • Board Books
      • Books About Mindfulness
      • Dr. Seuss Books
    • Showcase
    • Interviews
      • Growing Readers Podcast
      • Author Interviews and Q&A
      • Illustrator Interviews
    • Kids’ Book Giveaways
    • Directory
    • Podcast
    The Children's Book Review

    5 Exciting and Fantastical New Audiobooks for Kids

    AudioFileBy AudioFile5 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Ages 9-12 Audiobooks Best Kids Stories Book Lists
    5 Exciting and Fantastical New Audiobooks for Kids
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    The Best New Audiobooks for Middle-Grade Readers
    AudioFile for The Children’s Book Review

    AudioFile’s Editors have five excellent new middle-grade audiobooks for young listeners and their families that may help with any end-of-summer, back-to-school blues. Fantastical fantasies with entrancing narrations await, while stunning historical fiction audiobooks make for thoughtful—and tense—family listening. Listeners who are already excited for all that Halloween brings will be delighted by an adventurous romp starring a group of regular, average kids from the suburbs—of hell—exploring Salem, Massachusetts, on Halloween night.

    Freewater Audiobook Cover

    Freewater

    Story by Amina Luqman-Dawson

    Read by Cary Hite and Sisi Aisha Johnson

    Ages 10+ | Hachette Audio | 9.75 hrs. | Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award

    Cary Hite and Sisi Aisha Johnson create an astonishing number of distinct characters in this historical fiction based on true stories of escaped enslaved people. Hite voices 12-year-old Homer, who escapes from the Southerland plantation with his sister. Hite conveys their childish naïveté and wonder when they are rescued and brought to Freewater, a secret community of escaped enslaved people. Hite is just as convincing as the plantation overseer who is hunting for the pair. Johnson is engaging as she voices Homer’s friend, Anna, at the plantation; the headstrong, freeborn Sanzi in Freewater, and various members of the plantation owner’s family. The two narrators bring the historical setting vividly to life. Review »

    Buy the Audiobook
    Audible
    Libro.fm
    Barnes and Noble
    Listen to a Sample
    Osmo Unknown and the Eightpenny Woods

    Osmo Unknown and the Eightpenny Woods

    Story by Catherynne M. Valente

    Read by Heath Miller

    Ages 8+ | Simon & Schuster Audio | 12.5 hrs. | Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award

    Narrator Heath Miller is entrancing in this fantasy featuring 13-year-old Osmo, who longs for an adventurous life—and then gets one under unfortunate circumstances. Now Osmo must enter the forest to save his community. His initially unwilling companions are Bonk the Cross, a skadgebat (skunk-badger-wombat), and Nevermore, a pangirlin. Miller creates a fantastical array of character voices for these and other denizens of the woods, where everything has multiple natures. Bonk is a standout, portrayed with a Scottish brogue and a melodramatic crustiness that is improbably endearing. Miller’s droll English accent expresses authority yet invites trust; the listener is willingly carried off to the fabled Eightpenny Woods. Review »

    Buy the Audiobook
    Audible
    Libro.fm
    Barnes and Noble
    Listen to a Sample
    NURA AND THE IMMORTAL PALACE: Audiobook Cover

    Nura and the Immortal Palace

    Story by M.T. Khan

    Read by Shiromi Arserio

    Ages 8+ | Hachette Audio | 6 hrs.

    Shiromi Arserio transports listeners to a magical world of jinn in this entrancing audiobook. Young Nura mines mica to earn extra money for her impoverished family. But when the mine collapses, she desperately shovels through the rubble and discovers a portal to a luxurious jinn hotel on the other side. Arserio’s skillful performance introduces listeners to headstrong and confident Nura, cautious and stuttering Faisal, and a variety of sinister jinn who are scheming to trick the humans that fall into their clutches. Arserio’s youthful tone, distinct voices, and intensifying pace will keep young listeners hooked. Review »

    Buy the Audiobook
    Audible
    Libro.fm
    Barnes and Noble
    Listen to a Sample
    We Own the Sky Audiobook Cover

    We Own the Sky

    Story by Rodman Philbrick

    Read by Kirby Heyborne and Rodman Philbrick [Note]

    Ages 8+ | Scholastic Audiobooks | 4 hrs. | AudioFile Earphones Award

    Philbrick’s latest historical fiction, set in 1920s Maine, is brought to life by the amazing Kirby Heyborne. Davy and his sister, Jo, orphaned by their mother’s death, are rescued for the summer by cousin Ruthie Reynard, a famous aviatrix who gives them jobs and a home in her flying circus. As delivered by Heyborne, 12-year-old Davy’s voice is nervous as he worries about their future. The flying circus’s announcer bellows enthusiastically, building suspense for the amazing feats performed high in the sky. The voices of the KKK are hate-filled as they attack immigrants. Philbrick narrates his author’s note, giving important historical context to the story. Review »

    Buy the Audiobook
    Audible
    Libro.fm
    Barnes and Noble
    Listen to a Sample
    GROUNDED FOR ALL ETERNITY Audiobook Cover

    Grounded For All Eternity

    Story by Darcy Marks

    Read by Kevin R. Free

    Ages 8+ | Simon & Schuster Audio | 8.25 hrs.

    Narrator Kevin R. Free delivers a spectacular performance. He voices Mal and his squad-mates with a youthful tone and sense of curiosity as they explore earth for the first time on Halloween night in Salem, Massachusetts. But the pressure is on because they have to get themselves, and an escaped soul, back to hell before their parents find out where they are. Mal’s snark and sarcasm belie his frustration at the high expectations placed on him, and Free’s depiction puts his arrogance on full display. Free fully embodies antagonists, both hellish and heavenly, with high drama that hooks listeners on this romp full of adventure and high stakes, perfect for Halloween listening. Review »

    Buy the Audiobook
    Audible
    Libro.fm
    Barnes and Noble
    Listen to a Sample

    The article The Best New Audiobooks for Middle-Grade Readers was curated by AudioFile. AudioFile is an independent source of audiobook reviews and recommendations with a clear focus on the performance and listening experience. AudioFile Earphones Awards are given to exceptional audiobooks. To learn more, visit audiofilemagazine.com, Twitter @AudioFileMag, Facebook @audiofile-magazine.

    For more articles like 5 Exciting and Fantastical New Audiobooks for Middle-Grade Readers, follow along with The Children’s Book Review’s content tagged with Audiobooks and AudioFile.

    How You Support The Children's Book Review
    We may receive a small commission from purchases made via the links on this page. If you discover a book or product of interest on this page and use the links provided to make a purchase, you will help support our mission to 'Grow Readers.' Your support means we can keep delivering quality content that's available to all. Thank you!
    Amina Luqman-Dawson Audiobooks AudioFile AudioFile Earphones Award Cary Hite Catherynne M. Valente Darcy Marks featured Hachette Audio Heath Miller Kevin R. Free M.T. Khan Middle Grade Books Middle Grade Read Aloud Books Rodman Philbrick Scholastic Audiobooks Shiromi Arserio Simon & Schuster Audio Sisi Aisha Johnson
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleGrady Whill and the Templeton Codex | Awareness Tour
    Next Article Embarrassing George, by Kimber Fox Morgan | Awareness Tour
    AudioFile
    • Website

    AudioFile is an independent source of audiobook reviews and recommendations with a clear focus on the performance and listening experience. AudioFile Earphones Awards are given to exceptional audiobooks. To learn more, visit audiofilemagazine.com, Twitter @AudioFileMag, and Facebook @audiofilemagazine.

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    TCBR Supporter
    Recent Articles
    • The Only Me, by Marissa Bader | Dedicated Review
    • A Brief History of Life on Earth | Book Review
    • Desiree Blanchard Discusses My Home Filled with Love
    • New Children’s Book Teaches Children How To Love and Be Loved
    • August or Forever, by Ona Gritz | Awareness Tour
    TCBR Supporters
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today

    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    Discover Kids Books by Age
    Best Books For Kids
    Media Kit: The Children's Book Review
    Author and Illustrator Showcase
    SEARCH
    BOOKS BY SUBJECT
    Archives
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    • Book Shop
    • Policies
    • Media Kit
    • Buzzworthy Mentions on the Path to Growing Readers!
    • About TCBR
    © 2023 The Children’s Book Review. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.