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Title: Treasure Island

Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

Narrator: uncredited

Format: Abridged

Length: 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-22-08

Publisher: Saddleback Educational Publishing

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Jim and his friends have the treasure map but they're badly outnumbered. Do they have a chance against the bloodthirsty mutineers? Long John Silver says he's on Jim's side. But the one-legged old pirate is clever and wily - and Jim's very life is at stake!

©2005 Saddleback Educational Publishing; (P)2005 Saddleback Educational Publishing

Members Reviews:

Classic, with interesting pictures.

Hardly needs me to rave about it, the classic pirate story. This edition has interesting illustrations by Mervyn Peake, the author of the "Gormenghast" trilogy. I would have preferred one with the N.C. Wyeth illustrations, but Peake definitely hits the mark on atmosphere. Decent hard cover, too.

All the ingredients, but this book does not work for me

Treasure, adventure, suspense, deceit, a charismatic bad guy, good guys on the run, history coming to life, threats everywhere, games of deadly hide-and-seek -- this book has everything!

I don't know why, though, but the book just left me feeling flat. I've read and enjoyed other classic kids and YA books such as "The Three Musketeers" and "Little Women", but this one was like a ride on a roller-coaster ... on a day when I'd rather be at the planetarium.

Treasure island

Fun story although very different from the movie I remember watching as a child. I did have to read some things twice as this was not a book I could read with distractions due to the dialogue. Overall. It was good an I am glad I read it.

My kids loved it

They. Ant really sit through listening to it being read to them seeing that it doesn't have pictures; but being able to read it and relate the story to them was a satisfying experience for us. Thank you Kindle

Not a good audio experience

Ordered as an audio book but had to listen to with the text to audio version which is mechanical and therefore difficult to listen to. If I did something wrong then I apologize for being technically inept. The book itself is a classic and I enjoyed the story very much, but it was painful to listen to without the correct tones and inflections.

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Title: Jacqueline Hyde

Author: Robert Swindells

Narrator: Kate Byers

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-15-07

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

When Jacqueline Hyde finds the little glass bottle in Grandma's attic her life suddenly changes. Goodbye clean, good Jacqueline. Hello cheeky, loud Jacqueline Bad. It's fun at first. Exciting. But then Jacqueline Bad gets into serious trouble. And although she keeps trying to be her old self, the bad side just won't let go... A darkly addictive fable, truly absorbing.

Members Reviews:

Loved this!

My only real complaint is that I wish it could have been longer. Great escalation, and great parallel to my favorite classic.

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Title: Friends Come Back...and That's a Good Thing

Author: Donald Davis

Narrator: Donald Davis

Format: Abridged

Length: 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-05-06

Publisher: August House

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

The second story, "The Frog Jumped Twice", recalls a childhood lesson, learned at no small cost, that comes to full flower in adulthood. As usual, Davis deftly disguises a realization of enduring values in the guise of humor and remembrance.

Editorial Reviews:

Donald Davis shares two long stories: the first about how he and his best friend developed a lifelong relationship through a shared love of hiking and the outdoors and the second about his winding path from a love of chemistry to a college major in English. These are stories that teens will enjoy but adults will truly appreciate. His stories are filled with wisdom and humor and the sort of life lessons that take time to sink in. Davis has excellent pacing. He takes time to share the details but also builds and maintains interest and even suspense. Listeners will be left with smiles on their faces.

Critic Reviews:

"Listeners will be left with smiles on their faces." (AudioFile)

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Title: Uncle Daddy

Author: Ralph Fletcher

Narrator: Edward Lewis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 14 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-13-05

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

When his real father returns, Rivers is confused and angry. He had always thought that he'd express his anger at his father by socking him in the stomach. Now, face-to-face with his father, Rivers experiences feelings that are more complicated than he'd imagined. Will the reappearance of his dad affect his relationship with Uncle Daddy?

This heartfelt story, told from the point of view of a nine-and-a-half-year-old boy, is filled with insight and touches of humor.

Critic Reviews:

"[A] wonderful story of love, patience, tolerance, and acceptance." (Children's Literature)

Members Reviews:

Amazingly Inspiring

After I read this book, I paused and then thought of what the story really was if this book. Reuniting with one another, moving on and coming back home. This book is a touching story of a 9 year old named Rivers, his mother and his Uncle Daddy. On the journey River's family is finally complete.

Uncle Daddy

When I think about reading Uncle Daddy, love comes to mind. This book is very loving in so many ways. There is love from friends, family, ones who were known for short amount of time and love from others that were never really known. This book is a very easy to read book with a good story line to it. If you have troubles comprehending what you read or want something easy that¡Âs entertaining, this would be a good book for that. I enjoyed this book because I don¡Ât like stories that are hard to understand. I like simple books that are good. I really recommend it!

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Title: United Tates of America

Subtitle: The Story and the Scrapbook

Author: Paula Danziger

Narrator: A Full Cast, Featuring Paula Danziger as Ms.Lipschitz

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-23-03

Publisher: Full Cast Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Skate would like things to stay just the way they are.

But life doesn't work that way. For one thing, Skate has to figure out the strange new world of Biddle Middle, where eighth graders rule the roost, old friendships start to change, and a lowly sixth-grader has to struggle to make a place for herself. But other, more painful changes, are also in store for the Tates, and the story of how this close knit family responds to sudden tragedy will move and delight listeners everywhere.

Told with her trademark wit and wisdom, filled with big laughs and unexpected tears, Paula Danziger's newest novel is one of her finest achievements.

Critic Reviews:

"Funny, real, and like, totally sixth grade, United Tates is a great place to visit." (AudioFile)

"A balance of humor, heart, and art."(Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Loved It

The biggest disappointment about this book is that Ms. Danziger passed away before she could continue the series.

I consider it fortunate to have this entertaining remembrance of her great talent.

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Title: How and Why Stories

Author: Martha Hamilton, Mitch Weiss

Narrator: Martha Hamilton, Mitch Weiss, others

Format: Abridged

Length: 1 hr and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 10-20-00

Publisher: August House

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 14 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Did you ever look carefully at a spider's webs? Did you ever wonder what causes thunder and lighting? Why do dogs chase cats? Why does it look like there's a man in the moon? In this delightful recording of tales from around the world, each story explains why an animal, plant, or natural object looks or acts the way it does. Four of these stories are told by Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss, authors of the companion book, How and Why Stories: World Tales Kids Can Read and Tell. Because the authors wish to inspire children to tell stories, the remainder are told by eight guest kid tellers. So listen to these stories, retell them, and then make up your own "how" and "why" stories.

©1999 Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss; (P)2000 August House Publishers, Inc.; Music ©2000 John Kirk

Editorial Reviews:

Eighteen fables explain the origins of common phrases and events. Why rats have dull coats, why hens scratch the dirt, and why the sun comes up when the rooster crows are all creatively described. An ensemble of adults and young girls and boys perform individually and together. A few bars of music separate stories, and animal sound effects abound. The kids are the best, sounding about 8 years old or younger. One boy is a bit stilted, but all in all, this is a fun collection.

Members Reviews:

Why and how come I bought this title?

I did not preview this title prior to purchase, only because my system would not allow me to listen using that option on the preview panel. I suggest that anyone interested in listening to/obtaining this one, check it out at the Library first.

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Title: A History of Ancient Sparta for Children

Author: Charles River Editors

Narrator: Kenneth Ray

Format: Unabridged

Length: 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-05-17

Publisher: Charles River Editors

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

"The walls of Sparta were its young men, and its borders the points of their spears." - attributed to King Agesilaus

In Charles River Editors' History for Kids series, your children can learn about history's most important people and events in an easy, entertaining, and educational way. The concise but comprehensive audiobook will keep your kid's attention all the way to the end.

There have been no shortage of great warrior societies in history, including the Romans, Mongols, Macedonians, and Vikings - the list goes on. Yet one humble city in particular, nestled in a valley near the Eurotas River in the Greek region of the Peloponnese, and once ridiculed as little more than a cluster of villages inhabited by uncouth shepherds, produced the most famous warrior elite the world has ever known.

The most unique city-state in Ancient Greece was Sparta, which continues to fascinate contemporaneous society. It is not entirely clear why Sparta placed such a great emphasis on having a militaristic society, but the result was that military fitness was a preoccupation from birth. If a Spartan baby did not appear physically fit at birth, it was left to die. Spartan children underwent military training around the age of seven years old, and every male had to join the army around the age of 18.

The Spartans, whose carefully constructed approach to warfare and - there is no other word for it - Spartan way of life, earned the grudging admiration of all of Greece and succeeded in establishing themselves in the years following the reforms of the semi-legendary ruler Lycurgus as the greatest military force in all of Hellas. Athens might have the mightiest fleet and the greatest cadre of philosophers and dramatists, Thessaly might have had the most vaunted cavalry.

Members Reviews:

Informative

This book held my 10 year old's attention fairly well which is hard to do. I felt it covered just enough and the pictures were great.

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Title: Cody and the Rules of Life

Subtitle: Cody, Book 3

Author: Tricia Springstubb

Narrator: Natalie Ross

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 13 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-11-17

Publisher: Candlewick on Brilliance Audio

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Doing the right thing can be hard! When prized possessions start going missing, Cody gets a crash course in the most important rules of all - the rules of life.

In Cody's life, many things are hard to predict. Like why her older brother, Wyatt, is obsessed with his new bicycle called the Cobra, or why her best friend Pearl suddenly wants to trade favorite toys. Pearl says she will trust Cody with Arctic Fox because Cody is a trusty person. But Cody doesn't want to give up her beloved Gremlin, and she regrets it as soon as she hands him over. When the Cobra goes missing, Cody has to decide for herself who is trusty and who is not. If only she had Gremlin to talk to! Surely Pearl wouldn't mind if she secretly traded back...it's not stealing if it belonged to you in the first place, right?

Members Reviews:

Another perfect Middle Grade story.

This was my second Cody title and I love and adore these companion stories. Both of the books were perfection for me. There seems to be a shortage of newer Middle Grade stories geared toward the younger ages of this reading group, that aren't a majority of silliness like Diary Of a Wimpy Kid, Captain Underpants, and Timmy Failure. The Cody books have a good mixture of funny, excitement, and kid life.

There are many different types of families and neighborhoods in these stories, and lots of stereotype busting elements. Of course there are kid sized problems to be faced each time, and although Cody and her friends might stumble a couple of times, they learn how to push through by listening to and watching parents, teachers, older siblings, and yes... even their friends.

The books would also make wonderful chapter (or two) a night read-alouds for the younger set. I highly recommend these titles.

I was approved for an archiving digital copy in return for an honest review.

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Title: Space Cat

Author: Michael Baldwin

Narrator: Barry Parrish

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-28-17

Publisher: J. Darrell Kirkley

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Space Cat is written for children ages eight and up, but adults will appreciate the story as well. There are seven chapters in which the characters - Emma, her cousin, Riley, and Space Cat, Star - travel to the moon, Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Along the way, they learn about each planet, how the solar system is structured, and how it operates. The scientific descriptions are provided in language children can easily understand. In addition to the scientific information, each chapter brings an adventure for the children that makes the trip more exciting and interesting. Space Cat is a fun way for children and adults to learn the basic science about our solar system.

Members Reviews:

Take a trip with Star, the space cat!

Emma and Riley discover otherworldly adventure when they become friends with a space cat named Star while spending summer vacation with their grandparents. Amusing and informative excursions to all the major celestial bodies within our solar system soon follow. With a brisk pace intended to match the attention spans of young readers/listeners, Mr. Baldwin provides enough information about our planets to inspire further exploration, but no so much as to overwhelm. This is highly recommended for parents who wish to introduce their young children to the wonders in the surrounding vastness we call space.

We purchased three books for our great granddaughters, ages 4

We purchased three books for our great granddaughters, ages 4, 10, and 13. They all loved it and we have read it to the four year old several times.

We purchased three books for our three great granddaughters, ages 4, 10, and 13. They all loved it and we have read it to our four year old several times now. They all loved the adventures of Emma and Riley to the planets and there is a great educational aspect as well. The illustrations are awesome, and I highly recommend the book.

Fun and Educational Book for Children

My son was captivated by the enchanting tale of Star the Space Cat. Star takes Emma and Riley on several adventures throughout the solar system. It keeps children's' attention and helps them learn about the planets. I received a copy from the author and I am so glad I had the chance to listen and review this book.

Two adorable children and a cute "space cat" that takes them ...

Two adorable children and a cute "space cat" that takes them on a tour of the solar system. Incredibly imaginative--and fun. It's hard to produce a children's book that is both educational and entertaining, but Baldwin and Kirkley have done it. Can't wait to see what they do next.

Skip Hollandsworth, Texas Monthly magazine

Entertaining with great info

Space Cat is a great way for kids to learn about the mysteries of the universe in a way they can easily relate to. It's gentle and easy yet full of great information about our solar system. Highly recommended for science buffs and non-buffs alike!

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Title: Jesper Jinx's Best Friend

Author: Marko Kitti

Narrator: Colin Jones, Recording Tales

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 17 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-24-17

Publisher: Marko Kitti

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Jesper Jinx is 11, and probably the unluckiest person in all of Puffington Hill. Everything he touches seems to end up in sweet disaster. Hence his nickname "Jinx". Every great hero needs a sidekick who's ready to laugh at his silly antics. And Oliver has been just that for Jesper on countless pranks since the day they were born. But now Jesper's sister Melinda has set her sights on Oliver and even worse, he doesn't seem to mind. Add to this horrible dilemma the fact that there is a heatwave in Puffington Hill. The air is now so hot that birds are falling from the trees and grandpas and grandmas are forced to wear bikinis. It all adds up to sweet disaster for Jesper. How far is he willing to go to save his friendship with Oliver?

Members Reviews:

Jesper and Oliver strike again!

Our very own SOS (Silly Old Scribbler) is back with a new story chronicling another part of Jesper's life. However, I must warn you, there is a twist to this tale. We, along with Jesper, are given some extremely shocking news, Oliver and Melinda, together, on the same side, dating????? I will leave the plot description there and allow you fellow fans to contemplate! What is going on? They are all involved, somehow.

Written in his usual casual, carefree style, the author once again brings Jesper and his best friend Oliver to life. This story focuses more on their friendship, giving us a glimpse into how, once upon a time, they became friends. Beginning with the day they were born and progressing until we reach the current day, we are also taken on a short stroll down memory lane, as Jesper remembers all the pranks the boys pulled together.

The story has a different tone to it which sets it apart from the rest. It might seem a little mellow at first, but persist and I assure you that you will not be disappointed. We see the boys as children, but we do forget that they are growing and learning new things everyday, having new experiences.

Sometimes even I wonder how the Scribbler manages to get all these stories out of Jesper, but hey! I'm not complaining. These are extremely entertaining stories and there is even the hint of the next adventure. There sure is a lot happening at Puffington Hill! So please put down your phones and anything that may distract you and read yet another interesting chapter in the life of Jesper Jinx!

Packed with humor and fun

The Silly Old Scribbler devulges another glimpse into the hilarious life of Jesper Jinx, while sliding through topics which hit middle graders face on.

Jesper Jinx's best friend--one he's known since the first seconds of life--has turned traitor. Or so it seems to Jesper. Now, he has to decide if there's a way to deal with his best friend's decision or lose his co-heart in crime forever.

In this sixth book in the Jesper Jinx series, the Silly Old Scribbler (aka Marko Kitti) takes a deep dive into one of the most treasured things middle school boys have--their best friend--and one of a boy's worst enemies--their sisters. Oliver and Jesper have been through thick and thin. So the thought of 'treason' hits right in the gut despite the humor buffer packed around it. Oliver and Jesper's history finally comes to light. Of course, it's not a boring explanation but delivered in perfect Jesper style.

The author delivers the adventures in a very honest and straight forward style. Despite being a prankster, Jesper is a kid with real feelings.