Download the Popular Authors Audiobooks in Teens, Ages 11-13 Popular Titles

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Title: The Shoe Bird

Subtitle: A Musical Fable by Samuel Jones

Author: Samuel Jones

Narrator: Jim Dale

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-20-08

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 95 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

But now all that will change! The Shoe Bird has arrived!

In The Shoe Bird, multi-Grammy Award-winning performer and Guinness World Records holder Jim Dale brings to life a flock of unforgettable bird characters: Arturo the parrot, Gloria the goose, Minerva the owl, and even the extinct Dodo! This is Eudora Welty's fantastical story of how some feathered friends made a fateful switch from flying to wearing shoes, little knowing that they would soon become the prey of Freddy the Cat!

Masterfully scored for full symphony orchestra and children's choirs by Welty's fellow Mississippian, Samuel Jones, The Shoe Bird appeals immediately to children and adults, just like the classic Peter and the Wolf.

The Shoe Bird is a new work that reinvigorates a great tradition of storytelling fun for the whole family. It can be heard again and again, always rewarding the listener with the wit and wisdom of Eudora Welty, the delightful animal characters impersonated by Jim Dale, and the rich musical background of full symphony orchestra and chorus.

Bonus audio!

Click the sample button to hear a special message from narrator Jim Dale, and stay tuned after the story to find out why he says The Shoe Bird "is one of the best audiobooks I've ever made".

Critic Reviews:

2008 Grammy Award nominee, Best Musical Album for Children

Members Reviews:

Incredible!

I purchased this book to take on a trip. My 3 year old daughter hates travelling in cars (because we do not have one), and we had to rent a car for a trip this summer so I needed to find things to distract her. This audiobook was perfect! Not only in Jim Dale one of my favourite narrators, but the story and music are absolutely amazing! My daughter asked for the first song to be repeated over a dozen times. We did not finish the book until weeks later after our trip at home because she keep asking for the same parts. In the same vein as 'Peter and the Wolf" the story is told through song. Jim Dale, as usual, does an excellent job of all the different voices. I cannot recommend this audiobook enough! We have listened to the book repeatedly since I bought it in May (2012). And I imagine it is one that we will play for years! I love it!!

Wonderful book

If you loved Peter & the Wolf as a child, you'll love this. My kids loved the music and I loved hearing Jim Dale again. A truly joyous experience.

Poor engineering makes this one I'm returning

I love Jim Dale. The story is delightful. The music is good. The choir sings angelically. (though the 'songs' are mostly brief repetitive phrases). Unfortunately, the relative volumes of the narration and the music make the total listening experience rather unpleasant. In order to hear Jim Dale I had to raise the volume on both my FireHD and the plugged in speakers to maximum, and still missed some if my dog walked past or I turned on the water. At this level, the music was far too loud, though not deafening. However, the end blurb from Brilliance Audio WAS almost deafening (at that level) - apparently the only part of the production at a 'normal' volume. It was fun enough it was ALMOST worth it ... but no. I hope they remaster this and normalize the sound levels. Jim and Samuel deserve the award.

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Title: Getting Near to Baby

Author: Audrey Couloumbis

Narrator: Mischa Barton

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 55 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-16-08

Publisher: Listening Library

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Audrey Couloumbis has perfectly captured the pervasive feelings that can take hold when tragedy strikes - and the slow, subtle revelations that come when one can finally get near to the source.

Members Reviews:

Hauntingly Spiritual

It took me a while to get into this book, but each time I put it down, there was an empty space wanting to be filled with answers. The more I got to know Willa Jo and Little Sister, as well as Aunt Patty, Uncle Hob and Mom, the more my questions yearned for answers.

This story, about a summer filled with grief and the different ways of trying to cope with it, is hauntingly spiritual. Despite the well-meaning efforts of Aunty Patty and her churchgoing neighbors, the spiritual depths are mined by a grieving mother who paints pictures of angels, and by two lonely girls sitting on the roof watching the sun rise.

I'm not sure how many middle-grade readers will be drawn into this sparse story, but it would be worth the effort, especially for those dealing with grief or the departure of a parent.

It's beautifully written from the perspective of the 13 year old

This is a superbly written story about two young sisters trying to mourn the loss of their "baby" sister. It's beautifully written from the perspective of the 13 year old. Highly recommended.

Moving and insightful, with a tenderly great male "hero"

Although I found the concept of these children remaining on the burning hot roof for hours in the sweltering sun not very believable (wouldn't they have moved to get away from the burn?), the overall all idea rings true.

With a surprisingly courageous "rescue" by Uncle Hob and a gratifying transformation of Aunt Patty, both of whom I wanted to hug, this story touches on truths of human frailty and suffering, strength and healing, with a wonderful resolution.

This book could help adults be more patient and insightful with children who are withdrawn, as well as with themselves, because people of all ages sometimes hold their suffering inside, unable to speak of it because the pain is so overwhelming.

I did find the writing sometimes choppy, with too short sentences that would read better if they were combined with commas and conjunctions into longer ones (but not as much as in a lot of books). The punctuation was excellent, and there was nothing trite in this story.

Stellar Newbery Honor Winner

Come watch the sunrise on Aunt Patty and Uncle Hob's roof with thirteen year old Willa Jo and her seven-year old grief stricken, mute "Little Sister."

It is hot and steep and dangerous, but the view allows a vista different from what is happening inside the grieving souls of two lonely, heart-broken little girls who recently lost their baby sister.

Once you are up there, why leave? In fact, why not stay throughout the day as neighbors gawk and Aunt Patty vigorously plys her guilt in an attempt to bring you down. In fact, it is Aunt Patty's take charge attitude, lack of understanding and extreme rules that drove you up there in the first place.

This poignant and profoundly sensitive 1990 Newbery Honor book is a gentle look at a family broken apart and uprooted by a series of unexpected events which yield heartbreaking sadness.

The original family of five becomes four when the unemployed father leaves; then they become three when sadly the baby of the family dies.

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Title: The Star of Kazan

Author: Eva Ibbotson

Narrator: Patricia Connolly

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-28-08

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 28 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Then one day, it happens. A glamorous woman arrives and sweeps Annika away to a crumbling castle in Germany. But there is much more to this new woman than meets the eye - and none of it is good.

Members Reviews:

blah!!!

Don't be fooled by the mysterious description. This book is a flop. With a plot line as weak and terrible as cottage cheese coupled by the worst reader possible, I'm amazed this even got published

sweet and light

This was a lovely story. I hadn't realised it would be aimed at younger listeners as I've only ready Eva Ibbotson's books with adult characters, but even so I enjoyed it. The plot developments were easy enough to spot, but the pleasure was in the characters and the narrative.

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Title: Spud

Author: John van de Ruit

Narrator: Maxwell Caulfield

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-13-08

Publisher: Penguin Group USA and Audible

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 94 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Cursed with embarrassingly dysfunctional parents, a senile granny named Wombat, and a wild obsession for Julia Roberts, Spud has his hands full trying to adapt to his new home.

Armed with only his wits and his diary, Spud takes listeners of all ages on a rowdy boarding-school romp full of illegal midnight swims, raging hormones, and catastrophic holidays that will leave the entire family in total hysterics and thirsty for more.

Critic Reviews:

"[Spud] is funny and the characters...are wildly eccentric." (KLIATT)

"A bestseller in South Africa, it's likely to be a hit with American readers as well." (Kirkus Reviews)

Members Reviews:

A really fun book!

I love this book! The narrator is terrific. I find myself laughing out loud in the car. The boys dorm world in 1990 South Africa is brought alive by the author & narrator.

Insightful, Quirky, and Fun

Spud's insights stay with you long after the book ends. The author delves into heavy topics such as sexuality, racism, mental illness, and alcoholism. The irreverent tone of the young teenager named Spud makes the journey so much fun.

Great book!

Spud is a fantastic book and wickedly funny. I would recommend it 100%. It is interesting and nothing like what you've read before.

Very, very funny!!!

Very entertaining & funny. Excellent performance by the reader! My 15 year old son & I listened to this on a long car ride...it kept us entertained for hours! Definitely recommended!!!

Delightful Coming of Age Story

Anyone who's ever endured boarding school, and many who haven't, will enjoy the trials and tribulations of young spud as he navigates this right of passage. It's laugh out loud funny in many places and very touching in others. I chose it because it was set in South Africa where I had once studied, but the story is universal.

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Title: Up Close

Subtitle: Oprah Winfrey

Author: Ilene Cooper

Narrator: Bobbi Owens

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-11-08

Publisher: Penguin Group USA and Audible

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Oprah Winfrey has been called the Queen of All Media for good reason - during her more than 30-year career, she has left an indelible mark on radio, television, film, theater, magazines, and books. Oprah is also a committed humanitarian.

©2007 Ilene Cooper; (P)2007 Penguin Group USA

Members Reviews:

Enjoyable Read

Quite a life Oprah has had. Very admirable. I am a fan of Oprah and learned stuff about her that I did not know.

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Title: Dragon's Keep

Author: Janet Lee Carey

Narrator: Bianca Amato

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-20-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 100 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

On Wilde Island, Rosalind and her mother live their lives in exile, awaiting the time they can reclaim their rightful place on the throne. And there is reason to hope - a 600-year-old prophesy has decreed that they will do just that. But little do they know that their destinies hinge on Rosalind's amazing, shameful secret: beneath her gold gloves, the fourth finger of her left hand is in truth a dragon's claw.

Critic Reviews:

"Thoroughly compelling." (Booklist)

"Devotees of fantasy adventure stories will certainly find treasure here." (School Library Journal)

Members Reviews:

Get ready to be whisked away!

I bought this book because I was craving something else narrated by Bianca Amato. I do not usually choose fantasy stories, but thoroughly enjoyed this one. Ms. Amato's voice has such power, such emotion. I loved this book in audio, and highly recommend it.

Something different is always good

Ms. Carey has crafted a wonderful tale told from a fresh perspective. There are such interesting characters within this tale. A fascinating departure from the norm. I did not know what to expect but, I thought I was in for the conveyor belt of one of the numerous re-hashings of Arthuian tales with a dragon, a wizard, some knights, etc etc. I just purchased this as a mindless diversion for a long plane flight.

I was very pleasently suprised!

A new story line for this legend is not so easy to come by. Ms. Carey has crafted something new, with charcters and an adventure that held your interest and a storyline that finishes one part of the tale nicely but, leaves you waiting eagerly the next installment.

If you are looking for a truly imaginative and entertaining branch of the Pendragon legend it is here your search will end. I actually listened to this twice and was just as entertained the second time as the first. Bravo and thanks for a truly new tale. Now hurry up and publish the next one!

Fantastic fantasy

A tale exploring the various shades of love and betrayal, Bianca Amato's rich voice evokes images and, eventually, tears. The story can be savored by children and adults alike.

Excellent Narrator and Characters

I am a fan of Binaca Amator her voice is lyrical and takes me into the characters head and spirit. Dragon's Keep is a good fantasy novel written for teens. The plot is interesting and the book has good character development. However, I felt that the ending was rushed and built on a series quickly written plot devices to produce the ending and conclude the book. I was to say the least disappointed.

Everybody dies

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I could have lived without this book, as it was frequently extremely depressing. I absolutely would not recommend it for a student who is at all prone to melancholia. The story was good, but the was far too much emphasis on people dying, etc. I think the book could have been just as good without all the gore.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Transition of the heroine from a useless princess to a savior.

What about Bianca Amatos performance did you like?

I think Ms. Amato did an admirable job with this book, and it must have been difficult with all the overly gory descriptions. She kept me engrossed when I wasn't fast-forwarding thru that gross parts.

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Title: Model Spy

Subtitle: The Specialists

Author: Shannon Greenland

Narrator: Alyson Silverman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-14-08

Publisher: Penguin Group USA and Audible

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 59 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Teen genius Kelly James is in a lot of hot water. A whiz with computers, she agreed to help her college RA, David, uncover some top-secret information. After all, she doesn't have many friends and David has always been nice to her. It doesn't hurt that he's super cute and irresistible, too.

All she has to do is hack into the government's main computer system. But a few hours later, her whole life changes. She is caught and taken in for questioning - only this isn't your run-of-the-mill arrest. Rather than serve a juvenile detention sentence, she accepts the option to change her name and enlist in a secret government spy agency that trains teen agents to go undercover.

As if that wasn't overwhelming enough, she discovers that David works for this agency as well! And before she even begins to understand what is going on, she's sent on her first mission as an undercover model. And who better to partner with than David himself!

Members Reviews:

Unexpectedly good

We downloaded this book thinking it would be a dorky little easy read but my mom and I loved it. The book kept us on our toes and never wanted to stop listening. I highly recommend this book because the story is well written and very fun to read/ listen to.

Really good

This is a good fun book I love it the sequels aren't bad either you should totally buy this and get the others to there fun good books promise you won't be disappointed

Surprising!

Would you consider the audio edition of Model Spy to be better than the print version?

The audio would be better because it is so fast paced and the fight scenes just get more interesting!

What other book might you compare Model Spy to and why?

I would compare the Galleger Girls series to this book because they are both fun adventures with romance, criminals and fast paced scenes.

What does Alyson Silverman bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

She just gives it a great touch. She is probably what I would have thought GiGi to sound like. With her voice guiding you through the adventure it is truly magical. She brings the fight scenes to live and her voice is just so lively.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made be laugh, cry, be happy and everything in between! Perfect for the spy in everyone!

Any additional comments?

I bought this book to be a fill-in book for me to listen to whenever I had time. But I got so into it that I got hooked on the series and practically finished it in one sitting! :)

Surprising!

I was led to download this based upon the 1 review written and found it to be exactly my experience! Surprisingly fun and well written, it was an enjoyable adventure, the sequels were fun too, though this was my favorite. Enjoyable brain candy.

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Title: Survival

Subtitle: Island, Book 2

Author: Gordon Korman

Narrator: Ariadne Meyers

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 58 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-11-08

Publisher: Scholastic Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 35 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Six kids are stuck on a desert island. They have no food. No shelter. Nobody knows they are lost. They must take from the island in order to survive. But what if they're not alone?

Members Reviews:

8 year old loved this series

Kids enjoyed this series

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Title: Bermudez Triangle

Author: Maureen Johnson

Narrator: Ellen Archer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-04-08

Publisher: Penguin Group USA and Audible

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 41 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

It is the summer before their senior year in Saratoga Springs, New York. At first, organized, serious Nina has trouble adjusting to her leadership workshop at Stanford University. Although she desperately misses Avery and Mel who are waitresses at a restaurant back home, she quickly falls head over heels for eco-warrior Steve, who has grown up in a commune on the West Coast - so different from Nina's secure middle-class experience.

When she returns to New York, she immediately senses that Mel and Avery are keeping secrets and soon discovers that they have become lovers. Rocked to the core, Nina wishes them happiness, but feels excluded and lonely, especially as her long-distance relationship begins to deteriorate. As is typical for teens, the girls obsess ad nauseam over their romantic relationships. Yet this narrow focus lends authenticity to the narrative, and listeners will become drawn into the characters' lives as they stumble toward adulthood, fall in and out of love, enlarge their circle of friends, and rethink their values.

Members Reviews:

Enjoyable YA Story!

Bermudez Triangle is a stand-alone story by Maureen Johnson, telling the story of three best friends, whose life changes when two of them fall in love.

I've been a fan of Maureen Johnson since I first discovered her YA contemporaries many years ago. I've since been reading/listening to 1-2 books a year and find them just as enjoyable as the first ones I've discovered.

I don't read a lot of YA contemporary fiction, just a handful a year. I liked this one because it is a different twist on boy-meets-girl. In this case it is Mel and Avery, who have known each other forever, that fall in love, leaving their third best friend feelilng on the out. Maureen Johnson wrote the story well and it kept me interested right to the end.

This is only the second Maureen Johnson audiobook I've listened to and I enjoyed the narration as well. I'm planning to listen to a few more of her YA contemporaries on audio in 2015.

Very nice YA, but a lacking performance

The book is amazing with a lot subtle inner plots and delightful characters, which get completely lost due to a poor narrator who barely manages to make them distinguishable, and she doesn't even begin to fleshing them out, but I guess I wouldn't hurt if you listened to it anyways

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Title: Marie, Dancing

Author: Carolyn Meyer

Narrator: Carine Montbertrand

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-28-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

When famous artist Edgar Degas asks Marie to model for a sculpture, she welcomes the income - although she's hesitant to pose nude. Her bi-weekly visits to Degas' cluttered art studio introduce her to unimagined wonders and mysteries. But when the sculpture is finished, she refuses to be a rich man's mistress. She instead earns honest income as a seamstress while hoping for her chance at true love.

An award-winning author of more than 50 books, Carolyn Meyer captivates young adults with her vivid historical fiction. Using actual details about the ballerina Degas immortalized as Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, Meyer creates a seamless narrative of Marie's life as it might have been in 1870s Paris.

Critic Reviews:

"Marie's determination and resilience make her an appealing character, and her willingness to try to keep her family intact and support them through their difficulties is believable and admirable." (School Library Journal)

Members Reviews:

Better Than I Expected

this was much better than i'd expected. normally i'm not too fond of the reader but this time she proved me wrong. the story was well written and the plot was well paced. i reccommend this one for those who like a good history lesson without all the fluff and bluster.