Discover Popular Authors Audiobooks in Kids, Ages 8-10

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Title: Understood Betsy

Author: Dorothy Canfield

Narrator: Bobbie Frohman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-27-10

Publisher: Alcazar AudioWorks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 122 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Elizabeth Ann was orphaned at an early age and raised by her maiden aunts in the busy city. Sudden illness forces the aunts to send Betsy to other relatives, The Putnams, who live in the country on a farm. Betsy learns all about the farm and making butter and applesauce and dearly loves her new life. When one of the aunts comes back and wants to take Betsy back to the city. . . such a dilemma!

Children can readily relate to Betsy who is a real girl in a real world where fortune seems to direct her life. She so loves being on the farm and doing all the things a farm girl does, including going to school. When fate again intervenes and tries to take her away from the life she loves, some manner of common sense hitcomes into play and Betsy, though torn, bounds into another day of farmlife, full of caring love for all she comes in contact with, and grows into a beautiful young lady.

Table of Contents:

Chapter 01. Aunt Harriet Has a Cough

Chapter 02. Betsy Holds the Reins

Chapter 03. A Short Morning

Chapter 04. Betsy Goes to School

Chapter 05. What Grade is Betsy?

Chapter 06. If You Don't Like Conversation in a Book Skip this Chapter!

Chapter 07. Elizabeth Ann Fails in an Examination

Chapter 08. Betsy Starts a Sewing Society

Chapter 09. The New Clothes Fail

Chapter 10. Betsy Has a Birthday

Chapter 11. "Understood Aunt Frances"

Dorothy Canfield

Dorothea Frances Canfield (1879-1958) was an American author and both an child and adult educational activist. Canfield worked closely with Maria Monterssori in Italy, and was greatly influential in promoting education in the United States.

Dorothy Canfield was born in Kansas, but her family traveled as her father's academic career progressed, he eventually became president of Ohio State University. Canfield settled in Vermont with her husband and children, and continued writing professionally.

Members Reviews:

Helicopter parent, enter at your own risk

'Understood Betsy' shows us a little girl who grows up to enjoy learning, become curious, act with courage and love work. The setting is around 1900 and the risk-averse Aunt Francis, because of other duties, has to put little Betsy under the care of the gauche farmer cousins. Surprisingly, Betsy thrives.

All of my kids, aged 3-12 loved this story. The narration was good, in that the narrator brings out the right nuance in such a way that little kids get what's being suggested but not being said. This story ranks up w Little House on the Prairie and Little Britches

Loved by kids, mom, and dad!

This was my favorite book as a child and I read it many times, so I'm fairly biased. :-) But I didn't announce this to the kids when I bought it and several others from Audible. They started listening while I was at work and when I got home both kids and Dad/husband were sitting silently, hanging on every word.

I loved this story because it shows the transformation of a shy anxious child (which I was) into a spunky, confident person (which I am now, partly thanks to the influence of this book). It is a great story but also something of a treatise on the author's beliefs about child development, education, etc. The adults are kind and helpful but also give Betsy the opportunity to learn to think independently, problem solve, etc. She learns to deal with test anxiety, pride, lack of attention, scary situations, etc.

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Title: The Familiars

Author: Adam Jay Epstein

Narrator: Lincoln Hoppe

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-07-10

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 111 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Is the kingdom's fate in the hands of an orphan cat?

Running fast to save his life, Aldwyn ducks into an unusual pet store. Moments later Jack, a young wizard in training, comes in to choose a magical animal to be his familiar. Aldwyn's always been clever. But magical? Jack thinks so - and Aldwyn is happy to play along.

He just has to convince the other familiars - the know-it-all blue jay Skylar and the friendly tree frog Gilbert - that he's the powerful cat he claims to be.

Then the unthinkable happens. Jack and two other young wizards are captured by the evil queen of Vastia.

On a thrilling quest to save their loyals, the familiars face dangerous foes, unearth a shocking centuries-old secret, and discover a destiny that will change Vastia forever. Their magical adventure - an irresistible blend of real heart, edge-of-your-seat action, and laugh-out-loud humor - is an unforgettable celebration of fantasy and friendship.

Members Reviews:

The Familiars

My daughter and I both loved this book. My daughter loves cats and to hear the story from the animals perspective was refreshing. It was clever and kept us both engaged through the entire story.

Good kid's story

Listened to this one with my 4th-grade daughter and both of us found it to be enjoyable. The animal "familiars" were creative characters and the fictional premise of the story was well developed. A recommended listen.

The Familars review

I love the book just so SO good!!!! I love everything about it!!!! So good

Blah Storyline. Good Performance

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

nope

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

made for tv ending....it was obvious that the author wanted to create a cliffhanger-type situation to lead you into the second book, which has a similar ending.

Did The Familiars inspire you to do anything?

nope

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Title: Julie

Subtitle: An American Girl

Author: Megan McDonald

Narrator: Ali Ahn

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-09-10

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 38 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

In this inspiring story, part of the six-book American Girl collection by Megan McDonald, a fun-loving San Francisco girl faces big changes. After her parents divorce, Julie moves away from her best friend, Ivy, to start over again in a new house and school. But before long, she learns to create a few changes of her ownfrom saving endangered eagles to celebrating the U.S. Bicentennial.

Critic Reviews:

Fast-paced and easy to read, this [collection] gives readers a realistic feel for growing up in the seventies. (Childrens Literature)

Members Reviews:

peace love american girl

TOTALLY AWSOME!! Any girl can totally relate to this book! I'm obsessed with it!!! :) I promise you will love it!

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Title: Mr Stink

Author: David Walliams

Narrator: David Walliams, Matt Lucas

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-27-10

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 31 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

"Mr Stink stank. He also stunk. And if it was correct English to say he stinked, then he stinked as well.

Chloe sees Mr Stink every day, but shes never spoken to him. Which isnt surprising, because hes a tramp, and he stinks.

But theres more to Mr Stink than meets the eye (or nose), and before she knows it, Chloe has an unusual new friend hiding in her garden shed.

As Chloe struggles to keep Mr Stink a secret, and her dad tries to hide a secret of his own, the stage is set for an epic family confrontation. But there's one other person with an extraordinary secret: Mr Stink himself.

Members Reviews:

Must listen

The book definitely met our expectations both my 10 year old daughter and I enjoyed so much.

Very well narrated.

Great Story

This was the first book by David Williams my family listened to. This book is very heartwarming, a little sad, and ends on a great note. I really enjoyed how the author brought together so many aspects into one book. My kids were entranced, and we had a great time listening to this book. I would highly recommend this book for grade school kids. Be prepared to explain what some words mean though. "Tramp" for example. My kids loved it despite the language difference.

A very aromatic comedy drama

My 7-year old son loves this story. (We're only about halfway through, because we only listen to it when we're in the car for longish time periods.) The reader/narrator's vast array of British accents for the various characters are cartoonish when they need to be, but sincere and honestly human when required. Just like a good comedy. Great entertainment with a good human story in the middle of it. I love it too.

Mr Stink by David Walliams

Funny and had me giggling, lovely bed time 'read' and was read brilliantly by David Walliams, not just a book for the children.

Great entertainment

I loved this book. The fact that Matt Lucas and David Walliams both do the voices of the various characters makes the book come alive, and if, like me, you're a fan of Little Britain you will no doubt relish hearing their voices in this setting. Though it's not a dramatized play, it gives the audiobook a flavour of this, complete with sound effects and is as such perfect for children of all ages, like me.

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Title: Freefall

Author: Roderick Gordon

Narrator: Steven Crossley

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-08-10

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 89 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Following the tremendous success of their breakout hit Tunnels and its New York Times best-selling sequel Deeper, authors Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams deliver the third thrilling book in their acclaimed fantasy series. Will and Chester are falling deeper and deeper into the subterranean Pore. When they finally land, they find themselves in a low-gravity realm filled with ancient artifacts and deadly perils at every turn.

Critic Reviews:

It is a rare book that can create an entirely new fantastic, harsh, creative yet believable world for readers to visit. (Childrens Literature)

Members Reviews:

This one continues a great story!

I love this story, all 3 books and to me I dont see them as teen books at all, I am a 40 year old male who loves King and Koontz but this story grabed the kid in me and entertains him everytime I listen to the story. No bad words that I can remember but instead just a pure adventure with great characters and a story line that teaches us all about being a good friend. To me I cant see what there is not to like! But be sure to start with "Tunnels" and then "Deeper" before this one.

Another amazing book in the series

Just like before the boom takes you on an amazing journey with excellent narration. I cannot get enough!!

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Title: The Mystery of Cabin Island

Subtitle: The Hardy Boys, Book 8

Author: Franklin W. Dixon

Narrator: Chris Mannal

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-08-10

Publisher: Phoenix Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 125 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

The Hardy Boys are elated over their good luck when wealthy Elroy Jefferson invites them to spend Christmas vacation at his private retreat on Cabin Island. But when Frank and Joe make a reconnaissance trip in their iceboat, The Sea Gull to the island, a belligerent stranger orders them off. Why? Before 24 hours have passed, the Hardys find themselves involved in two mysteries: the first concerns the recent disappearance of Mr. Jefferson's grandson, Johnny; the second, the baffling theft of a priceless collection of antique medals which took place two years ago.

The young detectives, with their pals Chet Morton and Biff Hooper, pursue both cases on the icebound, snow covered island. Sabotage to The Sea Gull, danger to themselves and a ghostly prowler do not daunt Frank and Joe in their search for Johnny Jefferson and for clues to the stolen antique medals. How the teenage investigators outwit a ruthless foe and succeed in solving both mysteries makes for mounting suspense in this brisk-paced adventure.

Members Reviews:

Big Mistake

What disappointed you about The Mystery of Cabin Island?

Narration.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Chris Mannal?

Bill Irwin, whom I never appreciated until now.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment.

Any additional comments?

I made the mistake of downloading the three latest audio releases of this series (at full price) all at once without first sampling the new voice. For me, the cartoon-like narration makes them almost un-listenable. The teen characters are voiced as prepubescents sounding much like Elroy Jetson or Bart Simpson. I am very disappointed.

And I'm not crazy about Audible's paint-by-numbers review form. The five star grading system is fine for those who do not wish to write a review but the questionnaire form for a written review is -- like this book -- juvenile.

WOW

What disappointed you about The Mystery of Cabin Island?

The guy reading it makes the characters sound like idiots the boys sound like 10 year old girls, and the women are all southern belles even though theyre all from the East coast

Would you be willing to try another one of Chris Mannals performances?

Not willing

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Mystery of Cabin Island?

the book is fine its they guy reading it

Any additional comments?

Bill Irwin needs to redo the ones Chris Mannal did theyre just crap

Bad Narration

Apparently Mannal thinks 17 year Joe Hardy should sound like 9 year old.

While Bill Irwin was wonderful in narrating Hardy Boys books one through, Mannal is abysmal in narrating volumes 7 through 10, and ruins the suspension disbelief. Returning or exchanging volumes 8 through 10.

The new reader is not very good

Bill Irwin was great on the others. Chris Mannal is also good, but not here. He gives Joe the voice of a 5-year old. Makes i

horrible narration

I struggled to finish this book, the narrator Chris Mannal obviously had never read the previous Hardy Boys books. giving Joe Hardy the voice of a 10 year old is ridiculous, Joe is written being extremely smart and holds his own in fights with grown men..he doesn't sound like Mickey mouse. booo

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Title: The Batboy

Author: Mike Lupica

Narrator: Lucien Dodge

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-09-10

Publisher: Listening Library

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 41 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

It is every baseball kids dream summer job: batboy for your hometown Major League team. Yet for 14 year-old Brian, the job means more than just the chance to hang around his idols. Baseball was the job his father loved so much, in the end he couldnt leave it. Yet he could leave his family. Now Brian sees the job as the way to win back his father. There is no winning back some people, though. Just ask Hank Bishoponce the most popular player in baseball before he was banned for using steroids. Now he is making his comeback. And an unlikely friendship slowly develops between this man in need of a family and this boy in need of a father. Mike Lupica, king of the sports novel, delivers his most powerful and kid-friendly to date.

Members Reviews:

younger kid

The book itself was really good but I would recommend it to a younger kid in maybe the 4th grade or 5th grade (Thank you Mike Lupica for another exellent book)

predictable but fun baseball novel

If you know and enjoy baseball, and like kids fiction, I expect that you will enjoy this story a lot. I did. It is quite predictable, but pulls the right strings, and I enjoyed it. It combines a 14 year-old boy's youth baseball experience with his chance to be a major league bat boy. Also, we have the a baseball star who becomes a fallen idol and an estranged father who happens to be a former major league baseball player. While I could see all the twists coming at each turn, I enjoyed it anyway. There is a lot of baseball in this, and knowing and appreciating the game is a key to enjoying this novel.

The biggest problem - the reader spoke much too fast. He did okay for the conversation, but was terrible when he read the rest. Maybe you should look for the regular print book. Still, I did finally get used to the reader, and liked the book in spite of him.

Batboy review

I enjoyed listening to this book. It was easy to follow and very interesting. I think middle schoolers, high schoolers and adults who like sports would enjoy this book (as reviewed by a 12 yr old)

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Title: Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris

Author: R.L. LaFevers

Narrator: Charlotte Parry

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-24-09

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 159 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Theodosia Throckmorton is in a fix. Allowed to attend a reception given by one of the directors of her parents museum, she stumbles across Mr. Tetley of the British Museum in most unusual circumstances! Since Theo has last seen him in a showdown in an ancient Egyptian tomb, his reappearance could mean only one thing: the Serpents of Chaos are back.

Once again Theodosia will have to take on secret societies, evil curses, and dark magic too sinister to imagine, especially if it falls into the wrong hands. Blocked at every turn, Theodosia will have to rely on her own skill and cunning along with a little help from the most unexpected places.

Members Reviews:

A great mystery

This book, the second in the series, has far greater character development than the first. Like the third book it is more of a mystery/mythology children's novel.

9000 Starts!

Would you consider the audio edition of Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris to be better than the print version?

I love The narrators tone and the plot is so interesting that you can't stop listening!

What about Charlotte Parrys performance did you like?

I loved here amazing tone of voice and emotion

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

1 out of the 4 BEST BOOKS EVER

Any additional comments?

no

Fantastic!

Any additional comments?

This is one of my daughter's favourite series. It is fabulously written and performed. Theodosia is a fantastic protagonist, the kind of little girl who is a real positive role model. She is smart, thoughtful of others, and Charlotte Parry really brings her world alive with her magnificent performance.

excellent read for a young girl!

My child loved this book!!! Listening to it made her want to read it for herself

.I hope

This book on tape will leave you feeling all of these things. I recommend this book to anyone who has good taste!!!I also recommend all of the other stellar Theodosia s on tape You

will be blown away by the exceptional story and I didn't have distaste for anything!!! Thanks again R.L LaFevers and Charlotte Perry!

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Title: The Faceless Ones

Author: Derek Landy

Narrator: Rupert Degas

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-25-09

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 246 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Valkyrie screamed, sprinting toward Skulduggery. He looked up and reached out to her, but it was too late. If you've read the other Skulduggery books by Derek Landy (and you really should have read them by now), you've seen it all before: Some bad guy wants to bring about the end of the world, and Skulduggery and Valkyrie fight valiantly to stop it from happening. A few people get hurt, sure, but everything's all right in the end. Well, not this time.

©2009 Derek Landy; (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Editorial Reviews:

Spirited jazz, screams, and chilling sound effects open this action-packed and humorous sequel to Playing With Fire. Narrator Rupert Degas is sublime; every one of his characters is splendid. Of course, the best is Skulduggery, whose scarf and hat hide his skeleton self while his voice matches his uncommon appearance. Skulduggery's 14-year-old sidekick, Valkyrie Cain, is also fully believable as she goes from being a sorcerer-in-training to a schoolgirl and daughter of delightful parents. Degas artfully takes her from home and school to help Skulduggery save the world as we know it..

Members Reviews:

Ready for the fourth book!

Mr. Landy again brings magic, loyalty, treachery and surprise to the third Skulduggery Pleasant book. I'm ready for the next one and if you read it, you will be too.

Can you Fall in Love with a Skeleton Detective?

I don't know what it is about Skulduggery Pleasant, but I think he's adorable. That's not to say I'd be brave enough to enter his world. I think that's a step too far. But Derek Landy can take me there any time.

In this third book of a series, Skulduggery and Valkyrie Cain (aka Stephanie Edgley) set off on yet another adventure against Nefarian Serpine. But in this book we see Valkyrie starting to question all the things she's missing in being a normal girl. Can she be jealous of her reflection who's covering for her while she is otherwise occupied? It seems that may be the case. We also see Stephanie literally growing. Her crime fighting protective garments are getting too small, which is a nice touch Landy throws in to show us she's now 14 and not 12 (her age when the novels started).

In another interesting twist, Valkyrie/Stephanie starts to question her mortality. This marks some personal growth in her, which makes her a much more interesting character. Juxtaposed to this is the shadow of her Uncle Gordon who is questioning who he is as well. This puts some unexpected depth into the novel.

Don't get me wrong. These elements are scattered throughout the book in bits and pieces. It's still primarily a fantasy mystery for kids and adults alike. The series is so good that in 2010 it was voted the Irish Book of the Decade, winning over many best selling novels.

I'd tell you more about where the book ends, but it's unexpected cliffhanger and I don't want to ruin it for you.

Of course Rupert Degas, the Mel Blanc of the book narration world, does an outstanding job of reading the story. The production is stunning.

These books are a perfect read for that long vacation drive time. I highly recommend this book and the series, although audible.com is a little slow getting the last four to us. Still, don't let that stop you.

Totally awesome series. Amazing narrator!

I totally love this series! But even more than the series, I love Rupert Degas and the way he reads this.

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Title: The Thirteen Clocks

Author: James Thurber

Narrator: Edward Woodard

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-20-09

Publisher: Phoenix Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 95 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

The Thirteen Clocks is James Thurber's enduring story of life in a castle where time stands still on every clock at 10 minutes to five. The Duke of the castle ignores time and pays no attention to temperature either. He is a wicked Duke who has hands cold enough to choke a bull. The only warmth he understands is the warm hands of Princess Saralinda, his fair niece, whom he cherishes and protects from suitors. In a comic and poetic way, this story makes us all want to love a Princess and to be a Prince. What's more, we want the 13 castle clocks to whir and tick and tell us that the time is NOW.

©2009 Phoenix

Members Reviews:

As a Fairy Tale Should Be

James Thurber is, of course, delightful, and Edward Woodard is an absolute Wonder.

I couldn't finish this. The dreadful music!

I love Thurber and Edward Woodward is enjoyable, but I couldn't finish this audible book. The background music never stopped. And it was dreadful.

Some audiobooks start out with music, but it generally fades after a minute or two. This background music never stopped. It was horribly mournful music, like listening to a funeral dirge, and it distracted me from the story at the same time it depressed me.

I'm going to look for another version of this story. If not, there's always the print version.

A Great Tale For Young and Old Alike

One of Thurber's best stories; his wordplay and humor make this a winner. But it is made even better with Edward Woodard's fantastic narration. It took me awhile to get used to the sound effects and music and I'm still not sure if I would like it better without these. However, it's delightful anyway and if you have children they should enjoy it too.

Great fairy tale

A wonderful fairy tale for young and old alike. The narrator brought the story to life. I highly recommend this.

Mad and inventive

Epic tale told in dramatic and comic style. Great narration. Clever fairy tale. Well worth buying.