Discover the New Releases Audiobooks in Teens, Ages 11-13

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Title: The Undying: Shades

Subtitle: An Apocalyptic Thriller

Author: Ethan Reid

Narrator: Candace Thaxton

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-12-15

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

The Undying "screams for a sequel" (Publishers Weekly) - and Ethan Reid delivers in this riveting follow-up to "a thriller that brings a genuinely fresh take to a monstrous mythology" (Andrew Pyper, number-one best-selling author of The Demonologist).

The fate of the world is in his hands.

The Undying: Shades finds American student Jeanie and her young charge, Ren, 15 years after the EMP that wiped out Paris and sent them on the run from the undying. Walking the highways and hiding out in abandoned buildings across France, they eventually find their way to Spain and the walled city of Ronda, where a few dozen survivors have gathered - safe enough from the hunting undying but facing a new threat on the scorched planet: starvation.

With their main resource - humans - bordering on extinction, the undying have weakened, retreating to their hives and slowly withering away. But not for long. A dark presence arrives, casting its shadow across Spain, reawakening the hives and creating a new breed of monster. Driven by some alien intelligence, these Shades not only reanimate the undying but can possess the living, turning survivors against one another.

When Ronda comes under attack, Ren saves the day. As the youngest human left on Earth, he has been blessed with a special gift that makes him a perfect killing machine - and the last hope of humanity. Forced to leave the safety of the barricades, he takes to the highways with a company of Spaniards who intend to eradicate the undying from Europe hive by hive, using Ren as their secret weapon. But as they approach Sevilla to face the most powerful Shade yet, Ren learns some in his company aren't all they appear to be....

Members Reviews:

A Delicious Banquet of Horror

Any additional comments?

Shades serves up like a delicious second course at a banquet of horror. It compliments, meets and exceeds the flavors laid out in the first novel. Reid continues his Undying series with a tale that is exciting and terrifying and filled with characters that are both bold and real. As the few remaining humans struggle to survive the undead are evolving - driven by a dark force deep in the ground - and hell bent on devouring them all. The background and settings are like a sauce that he masterfully crafts from the bold tastes of Gothic, Apocalypse, Zombie and Lovecraft styles. As narrator; Candace Thaxton sets the table and delivers the story in a way that draws you into the vibrant, violent and chaotic after-world. I seldom give 5 stars but Reid and Thaxton have earned it with this one. Can't wait for the third course!

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Title: Cat Tales and Whiskers

Subtitle: A Young Adult Paranormal Christian Novelette

Author: Ciella Naden

Narrator: Michele Carpenter

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 18 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-24-15

Publisher: Cynthia P. Bumpus

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

When 14-year-old Ash is forced to move, the world as he knows it turns upside down. Soulville is a strange town, and the house his mom inherited from a distant relative should be condemned. It's spooky. Possibly haunted.

What Ash initially believes to be a string of bad luck has nothing to do with luck at all and everything to do with a demonic curse on his family. Does Ash have what it takes to break the curse, or will his life be cut short like those before him?

Members Reviews:

Frank Peretti meets Goosebumps!

What made the experience of listening to Cat Tales and Whiskers the most enjoyable?

The sound effects and music are fun. It's bit like listening to a spooky story around a campfire with friends. But this story has a great ending.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Vermin! Cats are adorable and kids love cats. He added a sweet and cuddly touch to the story. Ash was great too. A very sincere, solemn guy, going through difficult teen issues.

What about Michele Carpenters performance did you like?

Ash seems like a real 14 year old guy.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Ash gets saved and bravely goes to face the battle that lies in his path.

Any additional comments?

This book was written by a 13 year old, Christian, homeschool student with dyslexia, and somehow, knowing that made it that much more special to me. I think we need more stories like this out there.

Wonderful story so refreshing

I recommend this to all ages a great story and the audio was wonderful as well.

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Title: Breakout

Author: Kevin Emerson

Narrator: Fred Berman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-24-15

Publisher: Listening Library

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

When Anthony's angst-ridden rock 'n' roll lyrics go viral, he's unwittingly cast as the school rebel. The truth is he's not trying to be anyone's hero.

Anthony Castillo needs a new life. His teachers are clueless autocrats except for Mr. Darren, who's in charge of the rock band program. The girls at school are either shallow cutebots or out of his league. And his parents mean well, but they just make things worse. It's as if Anthony is stuck on the bottom level of his favorite video game, Liberation Force 4.5. Except there is no secret escape tunnel and definitely no cheat code.

Fed up, pissed off, and feeling trapped, Anthony writes his first song for his rock band, the Rusty Soles. His only problem: Arts Night. If he exercises his right to free speech and sings his original lyrics--where his own bombs will drop--he and his band will be through.

The clock is ticking. Time for Anthony to pick his battles and decide whats really worth fighting for.

Members Reviews:

Loved It!

Loved It! Great story of the frustrations of being too old for some things but still too young for other things. Great coming of age story.

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Title: Wish You Weren't

Author: Sherrie Petersen

Narrator: Edward Zebrowski

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 9 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-23-15

Publisher: Sherrie Petersen Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Marten doesn't believe in the power of wishes. None of his have ever come true. His parents ignore him, his little brother is a pain, and his family is talking about moving to Texas. Not cool. So when he makes an impulsive wish during a meteor shower, he doesn't expect it to make any difference.

Until his annoying brother disappears.

With the present uncertain and his brother's future in limbo, Marten finds himself stuck in his past. And if he runs out of time, even wishes might not be enough to save the ones he loves.

Critic Reviews:

"If you're looking for the same old formula middle grade fantasy, this isn't it. Wish You Weren't is magically real. You wouldn't be surprised if you met Marten in 'real' life, but what he encounters in this story is pure magic." (Valerie Hobbs, award-winning author of Wolf, Sheep, and Minnie McClary Speaks Her Mind)

"Wish You Weren't is a sweet story about the blessings of family contained within the rip-roaring roller coaster of time travel. It is a page turner that kids are going to love!" (Katie D. Anderson, bestselling author of Kiss & Makeup)

Members Reviews:

Good lesson learned story

Wish you weren't was a good story about a preteen boy learning a valuable lesson. It involves time travel, family issues, sibling fights, and wishing on a star. It was a pretty good story. The narrator did a pretty good job, the only thing was that sometimes he didn't have much feeling in his voice. Over all it was a good story that I definitely would listen to/read again.

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Title: Hearts to Follow Series (#1-3)

Author: Dana Burkey

Narrator: Brittany Morgan Williams

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-18-15

Publisher: Dana Chauvin

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Follow Cam, Summer, and Tessa as they learn about life, love, and the pursuit of boys in the Heart to Follow Series. These three novellas are sure to be a short and refreshing listen, filled with first crushes, first kisses, and even a few happy endings.

Members Reviews:

A great MG/YA book about first loves

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this little YA series on Audiobook. It was a fun listen to during my commute to work. It is made up of 3 short novellas that are geared to preteen/teen girls. The narrator was pretty good and easy to follow along with. There was one character in the first book that was super annoying and the narrator even gave this character that high pitched whinny voice that I can't stand. It was great even though she was hard to handle. haha. The books are clean romance YA/teen type where the main characters are starting to date/have crushes. High school life/drama, first crushes. The first book I have to say would be my favorite of them all as the story is fun with Cam really wanting to date Nick but playing girlfriend to Josh to see if Nick would want Cam. It was super cliche but very cute. I also loved the end.

Book two my next favorite as Summer falls for Nick and we find out more about Nick and what really happened between him and Gina. The books do have an ARC so you would have to read them to know the whole story line. They have characters that are brought into the next. The characters could be more developed but the author does a good job as these are novellas vs longer novels.

I do wish that the audiobook would tell you when you are starting the next book but it just gives a little break between chapters and books. I would listen to another audiobook by this narrator and I would read more from Dana Burkey.

I give this series a 3.5 out of 5 stars as it is a great younger teen series.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Super cute

What made the experience of listening to Hearts to Follow Series (#1-3) the most enjoyable?

I like that I can listen to this while doing house work. Cute stories

What other book might you compare Hearts to Follow Series (#1-3) to and why?

The stories are short and sweet. I am sure they are like a lot of others, but not ones I can pin point.

What about Brittany Morgan Williamss performance did you like?

Her voice was different enough for each of the books that I was able to get into them quickly

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I listened while I cleaned my house and it was perfect

Any additional comments?

A great book!

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Title: An Angel Earns Her Wings

Subtitle: The Guardian, Book 2

Author: Mary Beth Lee

Narrator: Brenna Frederick

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-16-15

Publisher: Mary Elizabeth Lee

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

New school. New charge. New murder.

Sharlene Gallagher's back. As a guardian angel in training, Sharlene is still learning the Guardian Code, but she has already learned one thing: Her cases always involve murder. It's her job to stop the murder before it happens.

This time Sharlene is dropped in Collings, Texas. It's the home of her new school, Collings Prep, and her new charge, socialite Candace Davenport.

This time, though, her case is more complicated because not only is someone out to kill Candace, but someone is out to kill Sharlene. The Guardian secrets could prove her demise.

An Angel Earns Her Wings...or does she?

Members Reviews:

FANTASTIC!!!

I absolutely love Sharlene's sassy attitude. She had me snickering one minute & on the edge of my seat the next! I couldn't put this book down until I'd finished the very last page.

Good Read

I love reading books by this author. They are always well written and the plot lines are well developed. Easy read.

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Title: Walk Across the Sea

Author: Susan Fletcher

Narrator: Christina Moore

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-05-15

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Her family's lighthouse home is an island of enchantment for 13-year-old Eliza Wells. Surrounded by whales, seals, and pelicans, she avoids the problems that beset the mainland: like the increasingly heated conflict between the local town's white and Chinese citizens.

This compelling historical novel by the award-winning author of Shadow Spinner is based on actual 19th century events. Narrator Christina Moore voices all the confusion, compassion, and strength of a heroine willing to risk what she loves most in order to do what she knows is right.

Members Reviews:

Lots of layers

Written from the perspective of a thirteen year-old girl, Eliza, in late nineteenth century Crescent City, California. Eliza lives on an island with her parents and helps them run the lighthouse. (Interesting historical fact-this is the Battery Point lighthouse in Crescent City. The characters are fictional, but the lighthouse is not.)

Many residents of Crescent City want the Chinese out. Eliza begins to question the prevailing prejudice when she makes friends with a young Chinese boy. She must stand up for what she knows is right, even if it means standing up to her own father.

I thought this book was so well written and with so many layers. First of all, the lighthouse and island life were so intricately described...I could tell the author did her research. As a reader, I could love the island with Eliza and all its wildness and storms and unpredictableness.

In a way, the island kind of parallelled Eliza's life at that time. The sea was tempestuous just like the townspeople and there wasn't a whole lot she could do to affect the outcome of campaign against the Chinese...other than stand (like an "island") for what she believed was right.

And the lighthouse was God because this was also a story about Eliza's coming into her faith by her own right, and not leaning so much on the faith of others. SPOILER: There is a beautiful scene at the end, in the lighthouse when Eliza knows that God is listening.

Eliza's father is among the townspeople that do not want the Chinese in Crescent City, and she struggles with reconciling the father she loves -and who is a good man- with the father who is prejudiced.

SPOILER: Eliza's mother has a miscarriage. In a way, I saw this book as pro-life. Eliza saw the unborn child. Eliza sought out the doctor and asked him to show her the graveyard where the unborn children were buried. Eliza refers to the baby as her "little sister," and the baby is eventually brought back to the island and buried.

In the end, the family makes a sacrifice which is sad, but beautiful, too. And right. It ended just how it should end

Get Swept Away By Walk Across the Sea

18th century California was a time of prejudice. Walk Across the Sea, centers around independent Eliza Jane, a young teenage girl who lives with her parents in a northern California lighthouse. When a mysterious Chinese immigrant boy saves her goat from the California waters, she tries to find him to pay him back. She soon learns that prejudice surrounds the Chinese by the people of her town. Along the way helping her is her brave and helpful friend Sadie, her open minded and kind neighbor, Dr Wilton and her pet goat Parthenia. This story has a mix of friendship, prejudice, religion, compassion, and morality. This out of the ordinary story shows prejudice back then and gives lessons on how we can be rid of prejudice today.

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Title: It Took a War

Author: Emily Ann Putzke

Narrator: Guyon Brandt

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-04-15

Publisher: The White Rose Press

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

In 1861, 16-year-old Joe Roberts leads a mundane life as far as he's concerned. His world spins in the same circle each day: working at his family's store, taking his sisters on boyish escapades, and bickering with his rogue of a cousin, Lucas. Joe can't understand why his mother allows Lucas to live and work with them after all the pain he caused their family.

When war is declared, Joe is quick to join up and become a soldier with the 11th Pennsylvania Volunteers, but war is nothing like he imagined. To make matters worse, he must endure having Lucas in the same regiment.

Can Joe put the pain of the past behind him? Forgiveness is easier said than done.

Members Reviews:

A Marvelous Performance of a Civil War Tale

What did you love best about It Took a War?

I loved how well the writing and the narration complemented each other, offering a vivid glimpse into the Civil War era and the main characters' various reactions to the war.

What was one of the most memorable moments of It Took a War?

Perhaps one of the more memorable sequences is when Joe signs up to join the war. Joe and the crowds in town are so jubilant, in direct contrast to his mother and sister's response. Those scenes give a broad glimpse at the North's confidence and belief that the war would be over quickly, while showing how hard it must have been for families to let their boys march off to battle.

Have you listened to any of Guyon Brandts other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't listened to any of Guyon's other performances - and, sadly, I haven't seen any other audiobooks narrated by him. But I would definitely be interested in hearing more of his work!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and no. I think it's easier to appreciate and savor a story when you experience it in bits and pieces over a period of time. And the fact that this story is divided into a lot of quick scenes does make it easier to find good stopping places. Of course, the short scenes can also flow into each other, making it just as easy to keep going! I think I savored the first half of the book and might have enjoyed the second half more if I had taken more time and paid greater attention, listening through without as many pauses and distractions.

Any additional comments?

I was truly impressed with the presentation of this story as an audiobook! The narrator did a phenomenal job, even singing songs from the American Civil War era a capella (and pulling it off quite wonderfully!). This is a well-researched tale, one that provides an endearing glimpse into a family struggling to find themselves and understand one another through the difficulties of war. In a little over three hours, it's like experiencing an epic play outside the theater. All you need to do is pause halfway through for an intermission. :) *With thanks to the author for providing me with a complimentary audiobook download in exchange for my honest opinion.*

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Title: The Law of Loving Others

Author: Kate Axelrod

Narrator: Hallie Cooper-Novack

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-08-15

Publisher: Listening Library

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

The law of loving others...

Hours after Emma returns home from boarding school, she realizes that her mom is suffering from a schizophrenic break. Suddenly, Emma's entire childhood and identity is called into question.

Could not be discovered by reason.

Desperate for answers, Emma turns to her boyfriend, Daniel. Will he love her even if she goes crazy too? But it's the lonely, brooding boy Emma meets while visiting her mother at the hospital who really understands Emma. Phil encourages Emma's reckless need for hurt and pain in the face of all this change and she is soon caught in a complicated spiral of loss and mistrust.

Because it is unreasonable.

In the span of just one winter break, Emma's relationships alter forever and she is forced to see the wisdom in a line from Anna Karenina: "The law of loving others could not be discovered by reason, because it is unreasonable."

A beautifully grounded coming-of-age novel, The Law of Loving Others demands that the listener accept the main character, Emma, for who she is, while also creating deep sympathy for all that she is going through.

Members Reviews:

Mental illness in the family

GRADE: B+

4.25 STARS

After Emma returns from boarding school for winter holidays, her mother is hospitalized. Unbeknownst to Emma, her mom has been on meds for schizophrenia for decades. Emma's confusion and anger threaten her relationship with her boyfriend Daniel as she meets a new boy, Phil who also has family in the psych hospital.

THE LAW OF LOVING OTHERS has so many positive attributes. Kate Axelrod's writing voice and dialogue are raw and authentic. Axelrod gave Emma a sex positive persona. At times she used sex to deal with or forget problems and although she cheated, sex was a healthy part Emma's life. I never had a good feel for her relationship with Daniel; they seemed to be on different life paths. Nothing about him felt special, but I did adore his mom. Emma seemed to connect better with Phil over mental illness in the family, though it was hard to tell if they had anything in common except their families struggles.

Axelrod could have done a better job portraying the mental illnesses. Early on Emma recognizes her mother's symptoms as psychotic. A teenager with no knowledge of schizophrenia would likely not be able to put a name to the very confusing behaviors. Axekrod describes mania as euphoria, but in reality the condition often manifests as severe anger, anxiety, frenetic unproductive energy and other negative states of being. When Emma questions what "disorganized" means in terms of schizophrenia that part of the diagnosis isn't answered.

THE LAW OF LOVING others provides no easy answers or ending tied in a perfect bow, the reality of mental illness in the family. I do with Emma had gotten some therapy for her self injury, her mother's schizophrenia and Emma's own attitudes about relationships.

An engaging debut.

I am looking forward to her next effort. Her description of coping with the disintegration of her mother was quite moving.

This is a voice we need more of in YA ...

This is a voice we need more of in YA. Well written, complex characters who struggle with the darkest parts of themselves and others. Can't wait for Axelrod's next!

Everyone should read Kate Axelrod's book

The main character is so real.

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Title: Billy's Outdoor Survival Adventure

Author: Hollis Morton

Narrator: Duane Sharp

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-15-14

Publisher: Ronald Foster

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Most boys love pocket knives, and Billy was no exception. The only thing Billy loved more was birthdays and the beauty and charms that an Army Navy surplus store possessed for him. Today was his special day and he had just come of age to join the Boy Scouts.

Tomorrow he was going away to summer camp with his best friend and little did they know it but that is where their survival adventure and education would begin. Things get a bit crazy when what used to be their Den Mother, becomes their Scout Master, and while giving the boys a ride to camp the car suddenly breaks down in the woods with them and her Girl Scout niece.

The area they get stuck in is an old Boy Scout camp by the lake that had recently been destroyed by a tornado. No cell phones, no power, no water, no tents. The oddly matched four must survive until rescue comes. This a fun audiobook that humorously entertains while making you think more about survival in the woods and lifes lessons for yourself. The audiobook also includes a few survival tips and tricks like how to build a minnow trap out of a pop bottle.

Members Reviews:

Ron writes another great book

This is a great book to put into the hands of your "Tweens" . If you are interested in getting them to start thinking about "prepping" & what could they do when a disaster strikes close to them. It can also be used as reference material for the whole family when crud hits the fan.