Best New Audiobooks for Middle-Grade Readers, Selected by AudioFile Magazine for The Children’s Book Review.
Audiobooks for Middle-Grade Readers
These five audiobooks are chock-full of cats, ghosts, sinister wallpaper, and more—there’s something for every kind of listener. Middle-grade listeners can explore a whimsical fable about the misadventures of a group of puppets and experience a poignant story about a Black kid with big dreams discovering the power of his own voice.
The Misfits: A Royal Conundrum
Story by Lisa Yee
Read by Cindy Kay
Listening Library | 6 hrs. | Ages 8+
Cindy Kay narrates a thrilling adventure full of crime-fighting misfits, jewel thieves, and cats. Olive Coben Zang is alarmed when her parents tell her she’ll soon be attending a new school—the mysterious RASCH, a castle on an island in the middle of San Francisco Bay. But once she’s there, the timid 12-year-old finds adventures galore. Kay’s dynamic tone and pacing are spot-on as she narrates the increasingly over-the-top escapades of the unlikely kid heroes, their zany instructors, and thieving masterminds. Review »
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The Spirit Glass
Story by Roshani Chokshi
Read by Ferdelle Capistrano
Disney Hyperion | 8 hrs. | Ages 8+ | AudioFile Earphones Award
Ferdelle Capistrano brings childlike wonder to her narration of this middle-grade novel steeped in Filipino culture. Orphaned 12-year-old Corazon lives a lonely yet magical life while she waits to learn of her powers. Her world will change forever if she successfully retrieves her precious soul key from a meddling ghost. Capistrano expertly assigns animated voices to all the right characters, the best of all being Corazon’s gecko companion, Saso, who steals the spotlight with comedic timing and endearing one-liners. Review »
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In this middle-grade story, undoubtedly inspired by the early feminist story titled “The Yellow Wallpaper” (1892), Eva Kaminsky depicts Violet, an easygoing preteen who’s only slightly uncomfortable about moving into the strange attic bedroom of her family’s new home. When she becomes ill, her fixation on the scary yellow wallpaper in her room is convincing. Violet’s fear becomes palpable in Kaminsky’s voice as her weakness and fatigue intensify, as do the listener’s compassion for her and disgust with those who discount her experiences. Review »
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Guy Lockard immediately convinces listeners of the passion of Black middle-schooler Lamar Phillips, whose biggest goal in life is to become a filmmaker, despite his life in a small Louisiana town. Lockard beautifully voices Lamar’s Gramps, whose convictions and activism shine, and reveals Lamar’s poignant feelings when he learns of his grandfather’s death in a racist incident. He expresses Lamar’s complicated grief, along with his determination to honor his grandfather with a documentary. Review »
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The Puppets of Spelhorst
Story by Kate DiCamillo
Read by Allan Corduner
Listening Library | 1.5 hrs. | Ages 7+
Actor Allan Corduner dazzles listeners with his spellbinding narration of this lovely fable featuring a set of anthropomorphized puppets: a king, a wolf, a girl, and a boy. They belonged to a sea captain, and after his death they end up in the hands of two sisters. As the story unfolds, the puppets bicker with each other amusingly. Corduner has a deep, rich voice, ideal for storytelling, and his English accent adds a smooth quality to the narration. His delivery is full of emotion and bravado. Review »
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Kate DiCamillo Talks About The Puppets of Spelhorst
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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 @AudioFileMagazine.
