You Can Select Any Audiobook in Kids, Ages 8-10 of Your Choice

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Title: Betwixt

Subtitle: The Mystery of Talon Mountain

Author: Brenda C. Watson

Narrator: Josh Kilbourne

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-18-10

Publisher: Tate Publishing

Ratings: 2 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Gusper thought he was happy with his life in the woods of Umbria. He lived harmoniously by himself for years, with only occasional trips to Wist for supplies and the absolute necessity. Will this all change for him?

After people start mysteriously disappearing from the small town of Wist, they find themselves fleeing into the dangerous woods of Umbria. Looking to Gusper for guidance, he is faced with a decision to take on human interaction in a big way, or stay to himself and continue his serene but lonely existence.

In a moral dilemma of bravery against self-preservation, Gusper finds himself torn between right and wrong, as the town of Wist struggles with the decision to face or flee from an unseen enemy either way they will surely test their survival skills in the dark woods of Umbra. The one thing they all have in common is that they are Betwixt and must choose a path to pursue. New author Brenda C. Watson delivers an exciting tale full of excitement, heartbreak, and enchantment. Will Gusper help the town of Wist to safety? Will the town of Wist accept Gusper for who he truly is? Come along on the journey to find out!

Members Reviews:

Strange book

The narrator was not very good. I still muddled through and found the story ok for most of it, then strange by the end. The story line was rough and didn't seem to have a clear direction. I would only recommend this if you didn't have to pay for it in any way.

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Title: Greek Gods, Heroes, and Men

Author: Caroline H. Harding, Samuel B. Harding

Narrator: David Mitchell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-29-10

Publisher: CoolBeat Audiobook Publishing

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

An introduction to the Gods the Greeks worshiped, and the Heroes the Greeks adored. Western Civilization draws heavily from the Classical Greek period. Listen to these brief stories of the awesome Greek Gods, the mighty mythological Heroes, and the powerful men and events that influenced Classical Greek history.

Members Reviews:

kindle version has problems

This is my first kindle book. I am not sure if this is unique to this book or something I will experience with future kindle books. The kindle version has multiple spelling and punctuation errors. There are periods missing at the end of sentences. The only way to know a new sentence has started is the presence of a capital letter. As for the content, the stories are simply written and generally easy to understand.

A great primer!

Perfect intro for children to Greek mythology and history. Chapters are brief, but clear, and detailed perfectly for children. It does contain some spelling and grammatical errors. My daughter used the opportunity to correct them. Loved it!

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Title: Rescuing Seneca Crane

Author: Susan Runholt

Narrator: Krista Sutton

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-08-09

Publisher: Listening Library

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

There's no stopping Kari and Lucas from jumping on the trail and tracking her down. Even when it leads to the heart of the Scottish highlands!

Following in the spine-tingling tracks of The Mystery of the Third Lucretia, Susan Runholt's second book featuring super sleuths Kari and Lucas is just as smart and fast-paced as the first!

Critic Reviews:

"Kari's spirited first-person voice, the girls' friendship, and the colorful, well-developed characters and setting make for an enjoyable, nuanced mystery." (

Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Fun mystery with lots of girl power

Great mystery for pre-teen and teen girls. Runholt likes to incorporate international travel and girl empowerment into the Kari and Lucas books. In this book, the girls travel to Scotland and try to help a girl their age who happens to be a famous pianist. Fun and exciting.

GREAT BOOK

best book ever loved it read it if you like to be on the edge of your seat!!

hope she makes another one to the series

Five Stars

Great mystery - I love the characters!

Growing in Wit and Charm

Kari Sundgren and Lucas Stickney have made friends with piano prodigy Seneca Crane, the hottest teen to sweep the classical music stage in years. So when she is kidnapped backstage at an international concert, the girls put their heads to bringing her back safe. After all, they already proved that they're great amateur detectives, and with the adults too scared to act, who else is going to save their new friend?

Susan Runholt's second Kari + Lucas mystery doesn't just rehash the successes of the first book. It's a different scope, a different angle, and the girls are a little more mature for their previous success. Runholt lets her teen detectives grow with their audience, this time taking on a mystery not just because they are good, but because it hits them right where they live.

This second book has much of the same charisma and wit that made the first such a hit with young teens and their parents. The girls may be a little older, a little more mature, and charmingly aware of boys. But they still have the headstrong determination and diligence that made them heroes in the last book.

Just as in the first book, Runholt's interest is in the characters. The mystery doesn't start until about a third of the way through the book, because Runholt would rather make new discoveries about the girls and their new friend than rush anything. Once again, teens will see plenty of themselves in these characters and situations, while parents will see plenty they hope their kids will want to aspire to themselves.

Kari, Lucas, and Runholt are all growing up a little bit alongside their audience. As the young detectives take on new and more ambitious mysteries, readers will feel like they're with old friends. Just as last time, I wish there had been books like this when I was that age. Youth and their parents will enjoy learning and growing along with Kari and Lucas, and like me, they'll wait eagerly for the third book to come along.

This is one of my favorite new series

Here is perhaps the finest praise I can offer a series: when the third book comes out, I'll be all over it even though I probably won't review it here. There are plenty of other books for us to chat about, Esteemed Reader, but I'll be listening to book three, The Adventure of Simba Hill, just for me.

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Title: The Adventures of Ulysses

Author: Walter Montgomery

Narrator: David Mitchell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-02-09

Publisher: CoolBeat Audiobook Publishing

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

A powerful sorceress, horrid monsters, terrific storms, scheming usurpers, and the gods themselves, all conspire to prevent Ulysses from returning to his home in Ithaca. This is Homer's classical poem "Odyssey", recomposed as prose for children. The events of the story occur over a 10-year period, following the Trojan War.

©2008 CoolBeat Audiobooks; (P)2008 CoolBeat Audiobooks

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Title: Smarty, Volume 2

Author: IMinds

Narrator: Leah Vandenberg

Format: Unabridged

Length: 31 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-30-09

Publisher: iMinds

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Continue the journey of discovery with Smarty Volume 2 by iMindsJNR. A compilation of six diverse topics across our six junior categories, in Smarty Volume 2 you will learn about:

The history of Photography, the life and discoveries of Thomas Edison, the development of Bank Notes as currency, the greatest Rivers of the World, the history of the US Civil War and the process of Photosynthesis.

Perfect to engage, entertain and broaden young thinkers.. iMindsJNR brings knowledge to your MP3 with 5 minute information segments for growing minds.

iMindsJNR offers 6 main categories for ages 7-14years including General Knowledge, Geography & Nature, Famous People, Science & Math, The Arts and History.

Make your MP3 smarter with iMindsJNR MindTracks, intersperse with music and enjoy learning a little about a lot.. knowledge to help shape young minds.

Editorial Reviews:

This installment of iMindsJNR delivers compact lessons that engage as much as stories. As each diverse topic is explored in Smarty, Volume 2, young listeners are intellectually emboldened and made more knowledgeable about photography, photosynthesis, the Civil War, and other subjects. Small audio details like a meow when Thomas Edison is described as rubbing two cats together to cause a spark (don't try this at home) enliven the broadcast and help gear the content toward kids. Australian actress Leah Vandenberg feeds a listener's curiosity while also sounding intellectually curious herself. Her warm and cheerful voice is emotionally stimulating without compromising the authority of the content.

Critic Reviews:

"I'm learning all sorts of stuff about stuff I didn't even know I didn't know. And it sticks. In a nutshell: wonderful." (Jonathon Margolis, Financial Times)

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Title: Smarty, Volume 1

Author: iMinds

Narrator: Leah Vandenberg

Format: Unabridged

Length: 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-24-09

Publisher: iMinds

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Start learning new things every day with Smarty Volume 1 by iMindsJNR. A compilation of six diverse topics across our six junior categories, in Smarty Volume 1 you will learn about:

The story of the Renaissance, the life and times of former US President John F. Kennedy, the development of the US Constitution, the history of geography of China, the context of the Cold War and the theory of Evolution.

Perfect to engage, entertain and broaden young thinkers.. iMindsJNR brings knowledge to your MP3 with 5 minute information segments for growing minds.

iMindsJNR offers 6 main categories for ages 7-14years including General Knowledge, Geography & Nature, Famous People, Science & Math, The Arts and History.

Make your MP3 smarter with iMindsJNR MindTracks, intersperse with music and enjoy learning a little about a lot.. knowledge to help shape young minds.

Editorial Reviews:

iMinds' Smarty series offers young listeners the opportunity to become informed about a wide range of topics. In volume one, juvenile listeners are presented a series of historical vignettes - each about eight minutes long - covering such subjects as the Renaissance, the life of John F. Kennedy, the writing of the United States' Constitution, the geography of China, reasons for the Cold War, and the Theory of Evolution. Sprightly Australian actress Leah Vandenberg hosts the proceedings, lending each segment even pacing and animated diction.

Critic Reviews:

"I'm learning all sorts of stuff about stuff I didn't even know I didn't know. And it sticks. In a nutshell: wonderful." (Jonathon Margolis, Financial Times)

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Title: Mirrorscape

Author: Mike Wilks

Narrator: Paul English

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-13-09

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Melkin Womper is thrilled to escape his dull future as a village weaver and develop his artis-tic talent when he's apprenticed to Ambrosius Blenk, one of Vlam's most famous masters. Mel is especially excited by the colors that he'll be able to use, since color is a very expensive Pleasure, strictly controlled by the sinister Fifth Mystery.

Mel can't wait to enjoy the wonders of the grand city and begin his important work for Blenk. Instead, his dreams are quickly crushed by the reality of days filled with unimportant tasks and bullying by the other apprentices.

But when Mel and his new friends, Ludo and Wren, inadvertently stumble into a battle between the Fifth Mystery and the Rainbow Rebellion, an underground band fighting to make Pleasures affordable for all, the trio must step through Blenk's paintings into the Mirrorscape. In this alternative world, the friends encounter monsters, mazes, talking houses, angels, and more.

Hugely original and deeply compelling, Mirrorscape is a thrilling adventure filled with the beautiful and the bizarre, the fantastical and the frightening. Enter into an incredibly visual, secret world, where the ultimate weapons are pigment, a paintbrush, and the power of imagination.

©2009 Mike Wilks; (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Members Reviews:

Dragons, Monsters, & Beasts...OH MY!

I just loved this book, even though it's geared towards younger readers. I think I was more drawn into because of my artistic background...the thought of having to pay high prices for color and it being controlled by powerful people intrigued me, because color is all around you and if you wanted to you could make your own...but not in Melkin Womper's world. This books makes me wish I was young again, just so I could have an imagination that hasn't been tempered with by growing up and being told is so in the world we live in.

Concept is not enough to carry a story

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

The concept behind this book is excellent--I think we can all appreciate the idea of entering a painting the way Mary Poppins entered the chalk drawing and Alice entered the mirror. We also like the idea of noble individuals fighting against a corrupt government. That said, as I listened, I found myself thinking that the writer was not an expert storyteller and that he had not spent much time with his presumed target audience (11-13). Although I finished it less than two weeks ago, I had to search my mind to remember the names of the main characters because they did not stick with me as real people but as "types" put in motion to be part of a concept-driven plot. I always prefer a character-driven story, but even if plot were the priority, I admit to feeling a little regretful that I used my monthly credit for this one. The villains were completely two-dimensional-- cruel, stupid, selfish and unprincipled--cartoon villains. The main character, Mel, came up with solutions far too easily. His humble beginnings and good heart were not sufficient to prepare him to save the day when experienced adults ran out of ideas. It was just too contrived for me, especially a lot of the dialog. Children are more sophisticated than we sometimes give them credit for. After about age seven or eight, they want more than a new take on "once upon a time." They want to read about people they can admire or despise for good reasons.

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Title: There's a Pharaoh in our Bath

Author: Jeremy Strong

Narrator: Ann Beach

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-01-09

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Another laugh-out-loud story from bestselling author Jeremy Strong. Many of his other books, including My Brother's Famous Bottom Goes Camping is also available on Digital Download.

Members Reviews:

stupid

POOOOOOOOOOOOOO POOOOOOOOOOOOOO lol stupid pop pop pop pop pop pop pop pop pop (fart!) bum lol stupid fantastic

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Title: The Time of Darkness

Subtitle: The Quest

Author: Nikki Jones

Narrator: Josh Kilbourne

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-12-09

Publisher: Tate Publishing

Ratings: 2 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

Boswick the Brave, Jarnel of the Royal Stables, Thomas the Butcher, and Micah the Farmer are faced with a choice: will they cling to the evil ways of their king or will they grab hold of their salvation? In their hands rest the fate of two desperate villages. But the men cannot do it alone. They need the support of those they are rescuing. Will the villagers overcome the evil that threatens to overtake their land or will they risk everything to end The Time of Darkness?

Members Reviews:

A First Class Allegory

I've met the author on Facebook and was compelled to read her novel after hearing about it. I'm glad I did. The Time of Darkness is a first rate fantasy adventure written in the classic allegorical style of John Bunyon or C.S. Lewis. While generally geared to young adults (tweens and teens), I have to say that it is a book that's fun for kids of ALL ages, no matter how old you are (I'm 38...you do the math).

"Nothing is as it seems" is a key theme throughout the book, which is ironic because I could say the same about the book itself. Everything has meaning. Symbology is everywhere...leading the reader to a greater understanding of God's wonderful truths...from salvation to being stronger in faith. And it was faith that I drew most from the book. After reading it, I had a stronger understanding of how God works and how He doesn't always work within our preferred time line. My faith was simply stronger after reading it.

But before you think the book is a boring dissertation on doctrine, let me stop you right there. It's not. It's also a lot of fun! The story dives into the classic hero's quest situation complete with maniacal kings, sorcery, dragons, and damsels in distress. It's a story of bravery and finding the courage in the face of adversity. And it's the story of the little man overcoming evil in its purest form. I highly recommend this book! Check it out...read it...then pass it on to someone you know. You'll be glad you did.

A book for all; young adult to elders!

"THE QUEST, The Time of Darkness"

by Nikki Jones

I have to say, and not just cause she is a friend, but this book is a wonderful read. Within the first chapter I was totally captivated by this story. It uses the quintessential formula of the heroic epic combined with the morality of good versus evil to share a message that is both fun and entertaining as well as enlightening.

The story is woven just intricately enough to keep you on your toes but not so tightly stitched that you lose interest. The characters, locales and extemporaneous background are given with just the right amount of information and a touch of intrigue. Deftly winding the story threads around four characters, several locales and an amazing number of smaller quests, the reader is soon roaming from one end of the incredible locale somewhere in the land of once upon a time, far, far away.

My first reading was too fast; I was too engrossed with what was going to happen next that I missed several key clues, subtexts, etc. However, I always make it a point to go back and reread a book the second time, with more interest in the crafting of the story, the laying out of the plot and the character development.

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Title: Cathy's Key

Subtitle: If Found Call (650) 266-8202

Author: Sean Stewart

Narrator: Laura Flanagan

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-07-09

Publisher: Perseus Books, LLC

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

But now Cathy is stumbling across a trail of evidence pertaining to her own family - secrets about her father and the circumstances surrounding his death. Having an immortal boyfriend is sure to come in handy as her investigation continues, considering Cathy's father is still alive.

Critic Reviews:

"Readers will be drawn into Cathy's fast-paced adventure, which takes her into the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Buy the series for your young adult!

I purchased the series for a young adult, and she devoured them! An intriguing approach that will engage a young reader even in today's distraction-filled world.

Fabulous book series

Perfect for teen girls. My granddaughters have really enjoyed the three book series and the "clues" inside the book makes it unusual and fun.

Clearance Table Treasure

Ok, well maybe this isn't quite a treasure in the sense that I'll want to read it to my grandkids, but as a writer, I am more than bowled over by this book and the skill at pacing, plotting, and character-sketching displayed by it's author(s). I consider it worth having just for what I can learn from it, but it's also a rollicking good tale. I picked it up off the clearance table at Borders, although it didn't look too promising on the cover, flipped into it and couldn't put it down. I wound up spending seven bucks (this is more significant than those who don't know me might guess) in order to be able to finish the story that day, without having to wait for it to come in at the library.

Others have more than adequately synopsized the plot, so I'll just say that "Cathy's Key" is not only the sort of story that absolutely hurls you from page two to page "The End", it's also well-told. Not great literature, maybe, but great storytelling in the grandest, 'round the fire, tradition. And, underneath the yarn-spinning is another, skillfully unobtrusive layer of story. This other story layer is in the finest tradition of YA lit in that it poses solid questions about what is of worth in life and what values can be counted on to not grow threadbare with time. For those who want to know about such things before they buy for their kids, this book does feature some hard-bitten characters and consequently there are crimes committed, including a murder. I didn't find any of it gratuitous or distastefully overdescribed. There is no graphic description of sex. There is some swearing.

Highly interactive and visual story

Cathy's Key is the second book of a trilogy, but without a doubt a book that can stand on its own with a really interesting and dynamic plot. Cathy's Key offers us a highly interactive and visual story accompanied with illustrations and objects ("the evidence") relevant to the story. That for sure, will be a favorite thing for many readers, as it was for me. This is a modern take on books characterize for descriptive images interspersed with text.

Particularly, I enjoy the writers' style with the use of great similes. Also, Stewart and Weisman describe everything in detail, making it easy for the reader to imagine the environment and the characters. They can make Cathy and the characters approachable. Certainly, A Top of the list YA Read!

A little about the book:

Cathy is the protagonist of this series.