Health & Family Audiobooks

Nest

For fans of Jennifer Holm (Penny from Heaven, Turtle in Paradise), a heartfelt and unforgettable middle-grade novel about an irresistible girl and her family, tragic change, and the healing power of love and friendship. In 1972 home is a cozy nest on Cape Cod for eleven-year-old Naomi “Chirp” Orenstein, her older sister, Rachel; her psychiatrist father; and her dancer mother. But then Chirp’s mom develops symptoms of a serious disease, and everything changes. Chirp finds comfort in watching her beloved wild birds. She also finds a true friend in Joey, the mysterious boy who lives across the street. Together they create their own private world and come up with the perfect plan: Escape. Adventure. Discovery. Nest is Esther Ehrlich’s stunning debut novel. Her lyrical writing is honest, humorous, and deeply affecting. Chirp and Joey will steal your heart. Long after you finish Nest, the spirit of Chirp and her loving family will stay with you. Praise for Nest: "A poignant, insightful story of family crisis and the healing power of friendship."--Kirkus Reviews, Starred "A stunning debut, with lyrical prose and superbly developed characters. . . . [Readers] will savor Nest and reflect on it long after its conclusion."--School Library Journal, Starred "Ehrlich’s novel beautifully captures the fragile bond shared by Chirp and Joey and their growing trust for each other in a world filled with disappointments and misunderstandings."--Publishers Weekly, Starred "Chirp’s first-person voice is believable; her poignant earnestness is truly heartrending. Ehrlich writes beautifully, constructing scenes with grace and layers of telling detail and insight."--The Horn Book What authors are saying about Nest: “Nest sings with heart and emotion. Simply gorgeous.”--Jennifer L. Holm, New York Times bestselling author of Turtle in Paradise "Nest speaks to the heart. I wanted to put my arms around Chirp and never let go."--Holly Goldberg Sloan, author of Counting by 7s and I'll Be There "I loved the book! It's so tender and touching and real. Chirp is a marvelous character, and Joey's just plain lovable. I worry about him. Congratulations. The book is absolutely splendid and I hope everyone in the world notices."--Karen Cushman, author of the Newbery Medal, The Midwife's Apprentice and the Newbery Honor, Catherine, Called Birdy “A remarkable work. Esther Ehrlich’s characters stand out so real and true: Chirp’s friendship with Joey is tender and moving, and truly unforgettable. One can see Cape Cod and feel Chirp’s love for the birds wheeling overhead. I wanted this story to go on and on. What a brilliant future this author has. I can’t wait to read her next book.”--Patricia Reilly Giff, two-time Newbery Honor–winning author

Esther Ehrlich (Author), Jenna Lamia (Narrator)

Audiobook

Public School Superhero

Kenny Wright is a kid with a secret identity. In his mind, he's Stainlezz Steel, super-powered defender of the weak. In reality, he's a chess club devotee known as a "Grandma's Boy," a label that makes him an easy target for bullies. Kenny wants to bring a little more Steel to the real world, but the question is: can he recognize his own true strength before peer pressure forces him to make the worst choice of his life? Featuring more than 150 pieces of line art and comic-style sequences, James Patterson's newest illustrated novel is a genuinely funny yet poignant look at middle school in a challenging urban setting, where a kid's life can depend on the everyday decisions he makes.

James Patterson (Author), Chris Tebbetts (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Penderwicks in Spring

With over one million copies sold, this series of modern classics about the charming Penderwick family, from National Book Award winner and New York Times bestseller Jeanne Birdsall, is perfect for fans of Noel Streatfeild and Edward Eager. Springtime is finally arriving on Gardam Street, and there are surprises in store for each member of the family. Some surprises are just wonderful, like neighbor Nick Geiger coming home from war. And some are ridiculous, like Batty’s new dog-walking business. Batty is saving up her dog-walking money for an extra-special surprise for her family, which she plans to present on her upcoming birthday. But when some unwelcome surprises make themselves known, the best-laid plans fall apart. Filled with all the heart, hilarity, and charm that has come to define this beloved clan, The Penderwicks in Spring is about fun and family and friends (and dogs), and what happens when you bring what's hidden into the bright light of the spring sun.

Jeanne Birdsall (Author), Susan Denaker (Narrator)

Audiobook

Mean Margaret

Will Margaret ever realize that there's more to life than being mean? Margaret is a mean, cranky human toddler from a family of nine. She is such a pain that her beleaguered parents chuck her out, and she's on her own, grousing and grumping until two loving but dissimilar woodchucks, Phoebe and Fred, they take Margaret in as their own. But despite their love, Margaret continues to wreak havoc with her loud, descructive ways, ruining the burrow and shrieking nonstop. Soon the woodchucks are as beleaguered as Margaret's human parents were, but because love is inexplicable, they love their wretched Margaret none-the-less, and are determined to make it work. So they enlist help and with the guidance of a snake, bats, and a skunk, their feral little human might just be tamed. A brilliant, funny, irreverent story about nontraditional families, adoption, love, and a little peace and quiet.

Tor Seidler (Author), Simon Jones (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Wainscott Weasel

Bagley isn't your typical trouble-making weasel -- and he doesn't mind if his less weasel-like ways prompt teasing from his friends. For while other young weasels dance under the pines, Bagley thinks about Bridget, the mesmerizing fish who also doesn't quite act as fishy as most of her acquatic brethren, who lives in a pond down the brook from his den. As the two unlikely friends grow closer, Bagley realizes that there is big trouble in Bridget's future. Only a true hero can save Bridget from the gruesome death that awaits her and this is exactly what Bagley, much to his own surprise, proves himself to be. A tour de force from the inimitable Tor Seidler.

Tor Seidler (Author), Robert Petkoff (Narrator)

Audiobook

Aqualicious

Pinkalicious loves the beach, especially when she finds a miniature mermaid named Aqua tucked inside a shell! Pinkalicious and her brother, Peter, promise to help Aqua the merminnie find her way home, after they show her all of the pinkamazing things to do at the seashore. From building sand castles to surfing in the ocean, the trio has a ton of fun, but at the end of the day they realize home is not always what you think it is. This splashy addition to the bestselling Pinkalicious library makes a day in the sun absolutely Aqualicious!

Victoria Kann (Author), Kathleen McInerney (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Tragic Age: A Novel

The Tragic Age is a brilliant, debut coming-of-age novel about a misanthropic young man learning to love, trust, and truly be alive in an absurd world. This is the story of Billy Kinsey, heir to a lottery fortune, part genius, part philosopher and social critic, full-time insomniac, and closeted rock drummer. Billy has decided that the best way to deal with an absurd world is to stay away from it. Do not volunteer. Do not join in. Billy will be the first to tell you it doesn’t always work—not when your twin sister, Dorie, has died, not when your unhappy parents are at war with one another, not when frazzled soccer moms in two-ton SUVs are more dangerous than atom bombs, and not when your guidance counselor keeps asking why you haven’t applied to college.　 Billy’s life changes when two people enter it. Twom Twomey is a charismatic renegade who believes that truly living means going a little outlaw. Twom and Billy become each other’s benefactor and friend. At the same time, Billy is reintroduced to Gretchen Quinn, an old and adored friend of Dorie’s. It is Gretchen who suggests to Billy that the world can be transformed by creative acts of the soul.　 With Twom, Billy visits the dark side. And with Gretchen, Billy experiences possibilities. He knows that one path is leading him toward disaster and the other toward happiness. The problem is, Billy doesn’t trust happiness. It’s the age he’s at—the tragic age. “Metcalfe snares readers’ attention with rich, fantastic characters…A wonderful read that is hard to put down, The Tragic Age will continue to haunt readers long after the last page.”—VOYA

Stephen Metcalfe (Author), Chris Patton (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend

This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and-at long last-is given his special name: Beekle. New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Dan Santat combines classic storytelling with breathtaking art, creating an unforgettable tale about friendship, imagination, and the courage to find one's place in the world.

Dan Santat (Author), Richmond Hoxie (Narrator)

Audiobook

Pinkalicious: Mother's Day Surprise

Pinkalicious plans to surprise Mommy with breakfast in bed and a special poem, but she gets a case of writer's block! Will inspiration strike in time?

Victoria Kann (Author), Eliana Shaskan (Narrator)

Audiobook

Maggie Vaults Over the Moon

See what can happen when you follow your dreams! Maggie Steele is a gritty farm girl from tiny Grain Valley, Kansas, who pours her broken heart into the daring, dangerous sport of pole-vaulting. Driven by a secret she cannot share with anyone, Maggie finds herself on a quest to soar far higher than critics think a girl should ever go. Unflinching in its exploration of teenage grief and filled with brilliant descriptions of a breathtaking, beautiful sport, Maggie Vaults Over the Moon is a powerful and rewarding story for middle-grade readers and adults. “Comes along at the perfect time. Girls who play sports and the coaches and families who support them will thoroughly enjoy this warm, uplifting story.”—USA Today

Grant Overstake (Author), Tavia Gilbert (Narrator)

Audiobook

We All Looked Up

Four high school seniors put their hopes, hearts, and humanity on the line as an asteroid hurtles toward Earth in this contemporary novel.They always say that high school is the best time of your life. Peter, the star basketball player at his school, is worried "they" might actually be right. Meanwhile Eliza can't wait to escape Seattle-and her reputation-and perfect-on-paper Anita wonders if admission to Princeton is worth the price of abandoning her real dreams. Andy, for his part, doesn't understand all the fuss about college and career-the future can wait. Or can it? Because it turns out the future is hurtling through space with the potential to wipe out life on Earth. As these four seniors-along with the rest of the planet-wait to see what damage an asteroid will cause, they must abandon all thoughts of the future and decide how they're going to spend what remains of the present.

Tommy Wallach (Author), Hannah Dunne, Sarah Steele (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Sweetest Heist in History

Randi Rhodes and her fellow ninja detectives, DC and Pudge, were flying high after solving the Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit. But life in sleepy Deer Creek has begun to feel a bit boring. There are no crimes to investigate!, On a, trip to New York City to visit Randi's aunt changes that! While the ninja detective trio explores Randi's old neighborhood in Brooklyn, they uncover an art heist. Except no one will believe them. They will just have to catch the criminals in the act! Full of humor, adventure, and heart, this second book in the Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective series is sure to be a kid-favorite.

Octavia Spencer (Author), Octavia Spencer (Narrator)

Audiobook