THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN [AUDIOBOOK]
by Sherman Alexie
narrated by Sherman Alexie
Recorded Books;ISBN: 9781428182974;$46.75;2008

Sherman Alexie slides deftly into the voice and heart of Arnold "Junior" Spirit, allowing his wry humor to refract off the harrowing reality of life on his Spokane Indian reservation, a life he is determined to escape, but, at the same time, holds dear. (10-14)

ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND [AUDIOBOOK]
by Lewis Carroll
narrated by Jim Dale
Listening Library;ISBN: 9780739367650;$30;2008

Has the Queen of Hearts ever been so florid, the hookah-smoking Caterpillar so languid, the White Rabbit so fusty? It would take a heart of stone and a tin ear to resist laughing with delight at Dale's delicious rendition of this family classic. (7-10)

Suggested for ages 7 - 10

ELIJAH OF BUXTON [AUDIOBOOK]
by Christopher Paul Curtis
narrated by Mirron Willis
Listening Library;ISBN: 9780739364154;$55;2008

In this serio-comic historical romp, 11-year-old Elijah is the first freeborn child in a Canadian haven for runaway slaves. Willis' syncopated speech patterns, sinuous timbre, and carefully modulated pitch easily coalesce, creating a visceral sense of time, place, and character. (10-14)

Suggested for ages 10 - 14

SHOOTING THE MOON [AUDIOBOOK]
by Frances O'Roark Dowell
narrated by Jessica Almasay
Recorded Books;ISBN: 9781436148665;$30.75;2008

When Jamie’s older brother enlists, the prospect of sending their only son to Vietnam dismays her parents. Jessica Almasy tackles this first-person narrative with gentle vigor, letting the characters come gradually into focus much like the pictures of the moon Jamie develops from film her cherished brother sends home from a war-torn land. (10-14)

Suggested for ages 10 - 14

LINCOLN: A PHOTOBIOGRAPHY [AUDIOBOOK]
by Russell Freedman
narrated by Robert Petkoff
Listening Library;ISBN: 9780739372579;$24;2008

Freedman's seamless narratvie keeps listeners from missing the visual material in this "photobiography." Petkoff's dignified but lively delivery recounts the events in Lincoln's life and invests the cast of characters who surrounded him with colorful personalities. He even manages to hint at Lincoln's famously unpleasant voice without creating an unpleasant listening experience. (10-14)

Suggested for ages 10 - 14

THE GRAVEYARD BOOK [AUDIOBOOK]
by Neil Gaiman
narrated by Neil Gaiman
Harper Audio;ISBN: 9780061551895;$29.95;2008

An author who is also a spectacular narrator brings the best of all possible performances to audio. Fey, creepy music introduces this tale of a child raised in a graveyard by ghosts. Gaiman's portrayal of every spook and specter is delicious, subtle, perfectly paced, and thoroughly engaging. The final few plot twists will make for sweaty palms and pounding hearts. (10-14)

Suggested for ages 10 - 14

ANNIE ON MY MIND [AUDIOBOOK]
by Nancy Garden
narrated by Rebecca Lowman
Listening Library;ISBN: 9780739367452;$55;2008

Over 25 years have passed since the publication of this groundbreaking and still astonishingly resilient book about two girls discovering how love connects them. Lowman's light voice and deliberate pace contain the perfect blend of joy and wistfulness for this fictional memoir. (14 and up)

Suggested for ages 14 and up

JUST GRACE [AUDIOBOOK]
by Charise Mericle Harper
narrated by Michele O. Medlin
Recorded Books;ISBN: 9781428182073;$30.75;2008

Spunky, list-loving Grace Stewart is one of several Graces in her third grade class, but, despite her self-declared "super-powers," she is still "Just Grace" to her teacher and classmates. The narrator's youthful voice and cleverly varied intonation bring this mischievous little girl to life. This first in a new series will delight fans of Clementine, Judy Moody, and Ramona. (7–10)

Suggested for ages 7 - 10