The Best New Audiobooks for Teens, Selected by AudioFile Magazine for The Children’s Book Review.
The Best New Audiobooks for Teens
We have five excellent YA audiobooks for your teen to enjoy while they savor the last days of summer — or head back to school! Listeners can visit summer camp in Jarrett J. Krosoczka’s beautifully adapted graphic memoir, dive into a mystery set in a magical school, and discover more captivating audiobooks performed by skilled narrators.
Sunshine
Story by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Read by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Jaiden Meltzer, Xavier Krosoczka, Noah Rico, and a Full Cast
Scholastic Audiobooks | 2.25 hrs. | Ages 12+ | AudioFile Earphones Award
Jarrett J. Krosoczka’s second graphic memoir, following HEY, KIDDO, recounts his experiences as a teen counselor at a summer camp for terminally ill children. It’s a powerful cinematic audio with the coordination of more than 50 narrators, carefully selected music and sound effects that enhance the action. Krosoczka portrays himself as an adult; Jaiden Meltzer portrays his younger self. At the camp, Jarrett uses his gift for drawing to overcome his nerdy past and access his feelings for fellow counselors and, most importantly, the campers. Review »
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Only This Beautiful Moment
Story by Abdi Nazemian
Read by Vikas Adam, Fajer Al-Kaisi, and Iman Nazemzadeh
Harper Audio | 11.5 hrs. | Ages 13+ | AudioFile Earphones Award
Three gripping narrators come together in a transcendent performance. The story of three generations of an Iranian family starts with Moud, an out gay teen from America who is visiting Tehran, performed by Vikas Adam. Scared of exposing his sexuality in a new culture, Moud explores his family history, from his father’s political activism back to his own grandfather’s journey as a gay man. As the story weaves together moments of joy and anguish, the core of the raw and stunning performances captures the steadfast hope that these family members will finally reach mutual understanding. Review »
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Warrior Girl Unearthed
Story by Angeline Boulley
Read by Isabella Star LaBlanc
Macmillan Audio | 11.5 hrs. | Ages 15+ | AudioFile Earphones Award
Isabella Star LaBlanc, a Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota narrator, accurately delivers Native intonations and rhythms while narrating Boulley’s second book set in Sugar Island, Michigan. Sixteen-year-old Perry Firekeeper-Birch is often compared unfavorably to her twin. LaBlanc captures Perry’s development from a reticent and resentful teen to a warrior girl who is dedicated to defending her Ojibwe ancestors by repatriating their artifacts and remains. She also vows to stand up to racial prejudice, tribal politics, and the victimization of young women. Then she becomes caught up in a murder investigation, a heist, and a kidnapping. Review »
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Invisible Son
Story by Kim Johnson
Read by Guy Lockard and Kim Johnson
Listening Library | 10 hrs. | Ages 14+ | AudioFile Earphones Award
Guy Lockard depicts 17-year-old Andre Jackson of Portland, Oregon, who is returning home after two months in juvenile detention for a robbery he didn’t commit. Lockard depicts Andre’s moods and intensifies Andre’s feelings when COVID-19 robs him of his beloved grandfather, the death of George Floyd places him and others in jeopardy, and his suspicions about an ill-fated friendship mount. The authenticity of the writing and Lockard’s narration reveal a character who speaks truth to power during the tumultuous personal and political events of 2020. Review »
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The Grimoire of Grave Fates
Story by Hanna Alkaf and Margaret Owen [Eds.]
Read by January LaVoy and Nicky Endres
Listening Library | 12.5 hrs. | Ages 12+ | AudioFile Earphones Award
January LaVoy and Nicky Endres give stunning and versatile performances in this mystery about a magic school written by 18 different authors. A young necromancer at the Galileo Academy for the Extraordinary is drawn to the dead body of a much hated Professor. Students across campus—including a werewolf, an arithmetic magician, a cross-dimensional traveler—work to solve the case. The chapters recount the many perspectives of queer, trans, and other marginalized students. LaVoy nails each one, while Endres balances LaVoy’s playful tones with a serious delivery of case evidence. Together, they bring this innovative audiobook to life. Review »
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This list of audiobooks was curated by AudioFile. AudioFile is an independent source of audiobook reviews and recommendations with a clear focus on the performance and listening experience. AudioFile Earphones Awards are given to exceptional audiobooks. To learn more, visit audiofilemagazine.com, Twitter @AudioFileMag, Facebook @audiofilemagazine, and Instagram @AudioFileBehindTheMicPodcast.
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