Best New Audiobooks for Teens, Selected by AudioFile Magazine for The Children’s Book Review.
The Best New Audiobooks for Teens
This month’s selections for excellent YA audiobooks include a free-verse memoir, a thrilling fantasy with dragons and intrigue, an unforgettable horror story, and more. Read on for our recommendations for un-put-downable listens for teen readers.
How the Boogeyman Became a Poet
Story by Tony Keith, Jr.
Read by Tony Keith, Jr.
Harper Audio | 5 hrs. | Ages 14+ | AudioFile Earphones Award
Hip-hop artist Tony Keith, Jr., narrates his free-verse coming-of-age memoir. His pacing and tone allow listeners to feel the power of his words and imagine his world. His skill as a narrator is evident as he delivers lyrical imagery mixed with dialect. Sound effects illuminate the poems’ themes, and the growl of the Boogeyman occurs each time the figure appears, personifying Keith’s doubts and fears. As Keith discovers self-expression, the Boogeyman shows he’s been tamed into a poet. Review »
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So Let Them Burn
Story by Kamilah Cole
Read by Kamali Minter and Keylor Leigh
Hachette Audio | 11.5 hrs. | Ages 12+
Two incendiary performances make this debut fantasy soar. Five years ago, Faron became the Child Empyrean, and at 17, she’s chafing at the title. An angsty edge to narrator Kamali Minter’s voice distinguishes Faron from her scrupulous older sister, Elara, voiced by Keylor Leigh with steely brightness. Bonds of family, culture, and politics are tested as both sisters forge strange new alliances and an ancient dark power looms. Both narrators rise to the challenge of the intense action and emotion that drive the story. Review »
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Beholder
Story by Ryan La Sala
Read by Vikas Adam
Scholastic Audiobooks | 11.75 hrs. | Ages 14+ | AudioFile Earphones Award
This book devours you. When a hot boy at a swanky party tells Athan to stay in the bathroom until he comes back for him, Athan doesn’t expect to spend hours listening to frenzied screams and the sounds of destruction. Vikas Adam provides rich character voices and emotions that pull listeners into Athan’s search for answers. Athan can tap into mirror worlds, and the spidery quality that Adam’s voice takes on as Athan reaches out from those worlds will haunt listeners. Sound effects and a high-octane performance don’t let go. Review »
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A Suffragist’s Guide to the Antarctic
Story by Yi Shun Lai
Read by Jade Wheeler
Simon & Schuster Audio | 8 hrs. | Ages 14+ | AudioFile Earphones Award
What if a woman had been on Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition in 1914? Li Shun Lai creates just this scenario, and narrator Jade Wheeler steps up with just the right blend of moxie, defiance, and wit to bring Clara Ketterling-Dunbar to life. Clara is an 18-year-old American suffragist who applies for a place on an expedition to the Antarctic. Wheeler’s energy and timing are perfect; she burns with injustice when mocked or asked to make biscuits and is near tears when the dogs are lost. Review »
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Check & Mate
Story by Ali Hazelwood
Read by Karissa Vacker
Listening Library | 9.5 hrs. | Ages 14+ | AudioFile Earphones Award
Karissa Vacker shines brightly as she immerses listeners in the world of professional chess. Mallory Greenleaf once loved chess but put it aside to help support her mother and sisters. Agreeing to play in one last tournament, she unknowingly defeats the current world chess champion, the infamous “Kingkiller,” Nolan Sawyer. Vacker’s vibrant, expressive tone captures Mallory’s conflicted and passionate personality. Listeners will enjoy learning about the world of competitive chess and fall in love with Mallory and Nolan as they go from rivals to lovers. Review »
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This list of audiobooks 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 @audiofilemagazine, and Instagram @AudioFileMagazine.
