Audiobooks for Kids Round-up Archives

The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World

by E. L. Konigsburg

This quirky novel lives in the shadow of its better-known companions From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and The View from Saturday, it deserves more recognition—especially the terrific audio edition read by Edward Herrmann. This story is about a kid with a dream, a search for a true friend, and a long-buried secret that dates all the way back to Nazi Germany.

The Shoe Books

by Mary Noel Streatfield

These charming books were discovered by a new generation of readers when Kathleen Kelly (played by Meg Ryan) recommended them to a Fox Books patron in Nora Ephron’s 1998 movie You’ve Got Mail: “I'd start with Ballet Shoes, it's my favorite; although Skating Shoes is completely wonderful.” There are 11 shoe books in all. Age 7 and up.

Ender’s Game

by Orson Scott Card

From the publisher: "Ender's Game puts you into Battle School with young Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, as he trains to become the general who will lead Earth against the Formics, the alien "buggers". Removed from his family at the age of six, Ender must prove his strength and his leadership, even as he fights his own doubts. The stakes are nothing less than the fate of humankind."

The Princess Diaries

by Meg Cabot

This whole series is great on audio; the first three books are narrated by none other than Anne Hathaway. Mia is a more-or-less typical ninth grader, who lives in Greenwich Village her single mom. But then her dad comes to town and rocks her world with a major announcement: he's not the "European politician" he's always claimed to be, but the prince of a small country. Mia is his only heir, and it's time for her to learn how to be a princess. Heads up before you buy this for your kids: the book is richer than the movie, but not as innocent.

Redwall: A Tale from Redwall

by Brian Jacques

The plot admittedly sounds a little weird, but Brian Jacques has won over legions of skeptics with this series. It's all in the telling, really: Jacques is known for his technicolor descriptive styles; he doesn't just show the readers what's happening—comes alongside you so you can feel, smell, touch, and taste it. Add the Whispersync Audible narration (narrated by a full cast, so you get to hear lots of different accents and dialects done well).

Artemis Fowl

by Eoin Colfer

From Publishers Weekly: Colfer's crime caper fantasy, the first in a series, starts off with a slam-bang premise: anti-hero Artemis Fowl is a boy-genius last in line of a legendary crime family teetering on the brink of destruction."

Ella Enchanted

by Gail Carson Levine

From the publisher: "1998 Newbery Honor Book based on the story of Cinderella, Ella struggles against a childhood curse that forces her to obey any order given to her."

Peter and the Starcatchers

by Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson

Bestselling funny guy Dave Barry turns to Kid Lit in this fantasy tale, a prequel of sorts to J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan. Great characters, daring adventure, and not a small amount of hijinks. Jim Dale narrates.

Flora & Ulysses

by Kate DiCamillo

It's hard to go wrong with any Kate DiCamillo book; this Newbery Award winner is a good place to start. Flora is a girl addicted to the comic book Terrible Things Can Happen to You!; Ulysses is the squirrel who needs saving. Endearing, insightful, and laugh-out-loud funny, especially as narrated by the talented Tara Sands.

Brown Girl Dreaming

by Jacqueline Woodson

Forget everything you've heard about this being an "important" book, and if you're not the poetry type, pretend you don't know this is a memoir-in-verse. All you need to know is this story is fantastic. Woodson tells the story of her childhood, moving with her family (or part of it) from South Carolina to New York City and back again, sharing her observations through a young girl's eyes with a writer's sensibility. If you don't think it's for you, read the first two pages—and then decide. National Book Award winner.

The Crossover

by Kwame Alexander

A novel in verse, read by the author. A heads up to the kids who think they aren't poetry types: when read aloud, this story doesn't sound "poetic." It just sounds awesome. This coming-of-age story revolves around two twin boys, both basketball stars, raised by an ex-NBA star, and the plot features plenty of action on and off the court. Poetry doesn't waste words, which heightens the reader's emotional experience as the characters deal with the regular pains of growing up and the not-so-regular family issues. A Newbery Award winner.

Muggie Maggie

by Beverly Cleary

My 9-year-old adored this Beverly Cleary title (that I'd never heard of until this year!) and has been begging me to read it for months. It was even one of her 3 favorites when she was a guest on the What Should I Read Next podcast. I finally tracked down a copy and read it in an hour. It's the same Beverly Cleary we know and love, although this one is aimed at a slightly younger audience than the Henry and Ramona books we love so much around here.

Misty of Chincoteague

by Marguerite Henry

This 1947 novel is a must-read for any young horse lover. A tiny island in coastal Virginia is home to a band of beautiful wild ponies, and Paul and Maureen dream of making one of them their own. The children learn that following a dream isn’t easy, and that sometimes it’s hard to hold onto what you love. Newbery Honor Book.

The Wednesday Wars

by Gary Schmidt

This wonderful work of historical fiction revolves around middle school drama, baseball, and the Vietnam War. You may enjoy sharing this one with the kid in your life (if they’re 10 or so or older). Fans of E. L. Konigsburg will love this funny and poignant book.

Anne of Green Gables

by L.M. Montgomery

Audible released a new audio version of Anne of Green Gables narrated by Rachel McAdams, and you can get the ebook plus the audio version for combined as a Whispersync deal. It's important that you get THIS version of the ebook in order to get the Rachel McAdams narration. You don't have to be an Audible member to get this deal. Read more about how Whispersync deals work here.

The Chronicles of Narnia

by C. S. Lewis

In this classic series, 4 british children discover that a wardrobe in their London home opens into a magical world called Narnia, where animals talk, magic is real, and the evil White Witch duels the fierce lion Aslan. The Narnia books are loved by young and old alike. Age 7 and up. Older C. S. Lewis fans should check out his Space Trilogy, which is better suited for older teens and adults.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

by Mark Twain

The excellent Nick Offerman narration is currently available as a Whispersync deal. "Buy" the linked kindle edition here—for FREE—and add the narration for just $0.99.

Audiobooks for Kids Round-up

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