Soundtrack: An audiobook Original by Jason Reynolds - ADVISABLE

Soundtrack: An audiobook Original by Jason Reynolds. AUDIOBOOK Audible Audio, 2025. $16. 

Language: PG (3 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (Domestic abuse) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

18yo Stuy is an amazing drummer. After high school he moves in with his uncle (away from his mom and her abusive boyfriend), and meets Dunk, a guitar player who lives across the hall. They form a band with Keith, a girl who plays the trumpet and Alexis a boy who plays the bass. Busking on the streets of New York, the band is popular but one rainy night, they move underground, to a Subway Station. They call themselves Soundtrack and are soon a sensation. But along with fame, come choices, and when Stuy makes a choice to not do something, then Alexis makes a different choice, the band finds themselves running from the police. 

A full cast narrates this Audio-only book by award winning Jason Reynolds. It totally needs to be audio book as there's a great score by Justin Ellington, and the reader really needs to hear the kids jam. A well produced recording, and a gripping story. Although the characters are technically adults, one of the band members, Frankie their manager is 13, and I certainly feel there's appeal for middle graders as well. The characters are black. 

Lisa Librarian

Phasma by Delilah S. Dawson-ESSENTIAL

Dawson, Delilah S. Phasma. 11 CDs. 12.5 hrs. Penguin Random House Audio, 2017. $45. Language: G, Mature Content: PG-13, Violence: PG-13

When Vi Moradi, a rebel, is captured by the Cardinal, she is surprised to discover that he only wants to know about Captain Phasma, a dangerous captain working for the First Order. Having to been to Parnassos on multiple occasions, Vi appears to know the story of Phasma’s past. How, however, does she know so much? Will she find a way to escape the First Order?

The plot is well-written and engaging. The characters are entertaining and true to the Star Wars universe. The audio is superb. Filled with sound effects, the reader feels like they’re listening to a movie. Narrator, January LaVoy brings to life each character with different voices. Easily drawn into the story, fans of Star Wars will love listening to this audiobook. This is a must-have for any audiobook fan.

MS, HS. ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library. 

Cars 3 by David Jeremiah- OPTIONAL

Jeremiah, David. Cars 3, PICTURE BOOK. Disney Press, 2017. $6.99. 

Lightning McQueen is being beaten in races against all the newest, fastest cars. After a horrible crash, Lightning doesn’t know if he’ll ever race again. After lots of training with a new friend, Cruz Ramirez, he’s got one last chance to see if he can make it as a race car again. During the race he decides that Cruz is the real racer and she just needs a chance to show off. She wins and they are able to continue racing together. 

Based on the movie Cars 3, it is a lengthy book for young readers, but comes with a read along CD, which can help move things along. The art is done in a comic book style that is really pleasing to look at. 

EL (K-3), EL- OPTIONAL. Reviewed by Shay, School Librarian

Lucky to Live in Utah by Kate B. Jerome - OPTIONAL

Jerome, Kate B. Lucky to Live in Utah, illustrated by Roger Radtke. PICTURE BOOK. Arcadia Kids, 2017. $16.99. Content: G. 

This is a book designed for kids who call Utah home. Each page offers information about the state of Utah and gives the child who is reading the book the opportunity to add information and drawings right into the story. Its labeled as a "Read Together, Do Together" book. The text is written in rhyme and it is fun how the book encourages kids to write about themselves along with the pages that gives information about the state. For example, a page talks about state celebrations and on the opposing page kids are invited to write in their favorite celebration. Younger readers might enjoy doing this with a parent reading along. Overall, I cannot give this book the highest ratings as it seems to be written pretty generally--allowing the publishers to easily market it to all 50 states with minor changes--and its also a one-person book so would not be a good choice for a library collection. I imagine grandparents might think it a good purchase for a grandchild in the younger grades, but outside of the occasional gift I do not think it would have a great audience. 

EL (K-3)--NO. GIFT--OPTIONAL. Reviewer: TC

A Porcupine Named Fluffy by Helen Lester -- ESSENTIAL

Lester, Helen A Porcupine Named Fluffy, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. PICTURE BOOK. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013 (reprint). $8.99. Content: G.

What do you do when your name doesn't fit you? Well, if you're Fluffy the porcupine, you try to fit your name. Unfortunately, this very determined porcupine can't become fluffy, no matter how thoroughly he coats his quills with whipped cream, soaks in hot bubble baths, or eats entire bags of marshmallows. What's a porcupine to do?

I love virtually everything about this charming and hilarious tale of a misfit trying to find his place in the world. The story is cute, the text is witty, Fluffy is sympathetic, the illustrations perfectly fit the text, and the lesson is fantastic. Best of all, it's a lot of fun to read aloud, both for the reader and the listeners. It even contains a link to a free audio version of the book. One caveat: this is a reprint from 1989, so check your shelves before purchasing a copy, since it may already be there. If so, it's worth dusting off and revisiting.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) -- ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Caryn.

The Patron Saint of Butterflies: a Full Cast Audio Production by Cecelia Galante-ADVISABLE

Galante, Cecilia, The Patron Saint of Butterflies. Full Cast Audio, 2011. AUDIOBOOK. Language: PG (1 swear, no “f”s), Violence: PG, Sexual Content: PG

Agnes and Honey have grown up together in a religious commune called Mount Blessing, but they haven’t always seen eye to eye. Agnes is trying hard to become a saint and lives by the book the commune’s leader, Emmanuel, gave her. Honey, abandoned by her mother and forced to be a servant at the commune, is constantly getting herself and Agnes sent to the Regulation Room, a place where Emmanuel beats them with a belt as part of their punishment. Unlike Agnes, Honey longs to be free of Emmanuel and the commune. When Grandma Pete comes to visit, Honey sees her chance. As things heat up, the situation only gets worse when Benny, Agnes’ little brother’s hand gets smashed badly and needs surgery. Taking Honey, Benny, and Agnes with her, Grandma Pete heads toward Texas in an attempt to free the kids of the child abuse they suffered. Agnes is very resistant to leaving Mount Blessing. As their journey unfolds, Honey discovers some dark secrets about what really happened to her mother and things that go on at Mount Blessing. Can Honey convince Agnes that she’s better off without Mount Blessing? With Grandma Pete’s help, will Honey be finally free? Will she ever find her mother?

Although it moves at a moderate pace, the story is touching and moving. The characters are likable and seem realistic given their situation. The plot is fairly well-developed and pulls the readers in by making them feel for the characters and their relationships. The full cast on the audio do a fantastic job and add unique perspective to the characters. The different narrative styles fit together well and do not overwhelm each other. Readers who like realistic fiction, friendship stories, and stories of family will enjoy listening to this book.MS, HS. ADVISABLE Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Laura Amy Schlitz - ESSENTIAL

Schlitz, Laura Amy Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! 2 CD, Audio. Recorded Books, 2008. 

Language: G; Content: PG; Violence: PG. 

MS-ESSENTIAL, HS-ADVISABLE

This full cast audio recording transports the listener into the middle of a medieval English village as seen through the eyes of 22 children from all classes in the village. The stories are told in verse or prose and can sometimes be harsh. The story of a Jewish boy and a Christian girl playing across the river is especially moving in its reading by two voices. 

The medieval music and Ms. Schlitz’s background segments adds flavor to the stories. The book was originally written as a play for students so it really soars in this audio version. Students studying or wanting more information on medieval life will enjoy this. 

Reviewer: Sarah Herron, Teacher Librarian, WHS.

Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer - ADVISABLE

Colfer, Eoin, Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox, 400 pgs. Hyperion

Language G, Sexual Content~PG Violence~PG

MS, HS - ADVISABLE

Imagine the guilt you would feel if something you did in your past is preventing you from curing your mother from a deathly illness. Welcome to the world of Artemis Fowl. When Artemis was young he sold the last living African Lemur to a group of extinctionist and now it turns out that the only thing that would save his mother is the brain fluid from this creature. Artemis begs help from Holly, Folly, Mulch Diggums, and N°1(a warlock we met in The Lost Colony) to go back in time and save the lemur from himself.

For fans of Artemis and Holly this book is a welcome return to their adventures; however as with many stories involving time paradoxes it is confusing and at times seems never ending. If you have fans of the Artemis Fowl series, don’t pass this one up. The audiobook of this title is very well done and entertaining.


Allison Madsen~Youth Services Librarian-SJO Public Librarian