Audiobooks for Families

COVID 19 has impacted all of our lives. With the libraries closed, we can’t bring you great programs like story time, LEGO Building, or Library Choir. However, we can still guide you to great books.

Today, I hope to help you get through this time as best you can with some audiobook recommendations. Here are some of my 5 Star suggestions that you can listen to together as a family during your self isolation.

The Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

This is a beautiful story told by a tree named Red who observes the lives and habits of the humans around her. Red sees beauty and kindness in humans, and she sees hate and cruelty. As Red tells her story, we learn about the importance of kindness, community, friendship, and family.

 

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

This story is delightful, full of heart, and laugh-out-loud funny. I was trying to listen to it at night and had to give up, because it had me laughing so hard I cried at one point.

Insignificant Events… is about a girl who is born with no arms. The story follows her struggles when she moves to a new city and goes to a new school. But it’s about so much more than that, as well.

As a side note, anyone who has grown up with Tourettes, or has a loved one who has Tourettes, will be touched by Dusti Bowling’s ability to write about the syndrome with tremendous humour and kindness. I was blown away by the accuracy of her description of the syndrome and the acceptance and love shown to those who struggle with it.

The Inqisitor’s Tale: Or, the Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz

It took me a while to get into this one, but once I did, I was fully engaged. If you like stories set in the 13th Century with a Canterbury Tales flavour, then this book is for you.

The story starts at an inn in France where travellers cross paths and share their stories of three unusual children and a very special dog. As the travellers share their tales, we begin to see how the individual stories of the three children intertwine and create one great whole.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

This story has the rich flavour of Chinese folktales. Grace Lin has taken the Chinese tales of her childhood and created a delightful quest with a strong female protagonist. The book is a wonderful adventure with tremendous heart.

 

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Set during World War 2, this is the story of ten-year-old Ada who has never left her small London apartment. Her mother sees Ada as useless and an embarrassment because of Ada’s clubbed foot. When her mother arranges for Ada’s little brother Jamie to leave London for the safety of the english countryside, Ada escapes to go with him, and her life begins to change dramatically.

 

Happy listening!

 

Teen Book Review

First, my apologies on taking so long to post this review. Ardent Book Lover sent it to me a couple of months ago, but I haven’t had a spare moment to post until now. So sorry for the delay.

The Preacher’s Daughter by Beverly Lewis

Review by Ardent Book Lover

Have you ever wanted to experience life as it was a few hundred years ago? Then Beverly Lewis is the perfect author for you! “The Preacher’s Daughter” tells the story of Annie Zook, a young Amish woman who struggles against her Order’s harsh rules against any form of art, and her father’s insistence that she join the church as a baptized member.” Will Annie hold true to her people’s way of

life, or will the call of the world be too strong for her?

I happened on this book entirely by chance. I was browsing the library website one day, and I saw this e-book on display. I checked it out, hoping to find a decent book at the very least. I stayed awake till midnight in order to find out how the book ended! When I reached the end of the book, I found to my dismay that the author had left the ending incomplete! I quickly searched the rest of the website, and to my surprise, not only had Beverly Lewis written two other books in that series, but she had also written at least three or four other series, as well as many other single books, all focused on the Amish lifestyle in Pennsylvania. Being a big fan of anything old-fashioned, I immediately fell in love with the simplicity and novelty of the plain way of life led by the Amish in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the twenty-first century. History enthusiasts in their late teens will love this entire selection.

Teen Book Review

The Betsy-Tacy Series

The Betsy-Tacy books, by Maud Hart Lovelace, are unique in that the reader can actually grow up with them. For instance, the first three books, about Betsy from age five to ten, are directed towards a younger audience, while the last couple books are meant for an older, teen audience. There are about ten books in total in the Betsy-Tacy series, and I am fortunate to own almost all of them.

Are you still reading this? Then seriously, stop reading and go check out these books! They are definitely worth your while!

Teen Book Review

This review is written by a teen, but it is geared toward the tween audience. Enjoy!

The Secret Island Review

~by Ardent Book Lover

The Secret Island, by Enid Blyton, has the distinction of being the first book that was so exciting that I read it over again half an hour after I had finished it. This story about four orphans who decide to take matters into their own hands, following their unfair treatment at the hands of grownups, shows that children can accomplish anything, if they work together.

 

Teen Book Review

The Borrowed House

The Borrowed House by Hilda van Stockum is one of my favourite single books, that is, not in a series. Set during World War II, this is a story of how a young girl discovers the value of human life, and the true meaning of sacrifice. When I first read the Borrowed House, I had never come into contact with these issues before, and I got scared. Two years later, I read it again and loved it! Now our family owns two copies of this book, which means I can take one when I move out. Yes!

~Ardent Book Lover

Teen Book Review

The Viking Quest

Series by Lois Walfrid Johnson

~Review by Ardent Book Lover

The first time I ever heard of the Viking Quest series was when my mother checked it out of the library, thinking that I might enjoy reading about Vikings. I read it to please her, but I wasn`t very enthusiastic about it. The very next time I went to the library, I promptly ordered the rest of the series! From the very beginning, I was caught up in Bree`s life, holding my breath when she was in trouble, and jumping for joy when she was happy. Since then, I think I must have reread the Viking Quest series at least ten times. Now all I can say is “Thank goodness for my mom`s sharp eyes!”

Raiders from the Sea

The year is 1000 BC, and Briana (Bree) O’Toole is celebrating her 13^th birthday. As she stares out at the Irish Sea from the hills above her home, she wonders if she will ever see what lies beyond. However, little does she know that she is about to get more than she bargained for! In this epic story of Irish Christians, Viking raids, and mysterious dark secrets, can Bree ever forgive her captor, Mikkel, for taking her away from her home and everyone she loves?

Mystery of the Silver Coins

Bree is heading away from her beloved hills of Ireland to become a Viking slave. Arriving in Norway, Bree discovers that not all Vikings are cruel. She respects Mikkel’s family, but still hates and distrusts Mikkel. In time, can he prove himself worthy of trust?

The Invisible Friend

Held as a slave by Mikkel`s parents, Bree must learn to obey the restrictions put on her as a slave. When ransom money arrives to free Bree, she uses the money to free two younger Irish girls instead. By holding to her faith, Bree learns that, no matter what happens, she will always be free inside.

Heart of Courage

Mikkel promises that if Bree’s brother Devin goes on one more voyage with the Vikings as a storyteller and Mikkel’s friend, Mikkel will release Bree from slavery. Both Devin and Bree want to trust Mikkel, but until he finds a way to set things right between himself and all the Irish he has hurt, Bree and Devin must watch him very carefully.

The Raider’s Promise

Bree is now seventeen, and Mikkel still holds her captive. Through her travels and experiences with the Vikings, Bree has learned to respect Mikkel. However, she waits to see whether he will have the courage to do what is right and give back all he has taken from the Irish people.

Book Suggestions from a Tween

Top 5 Relaxing Series for Tweens

~ by Xavier

Who wants more work? I don’t! I think these books are easy to read… without being babyish. They are also some of my favourite books!

1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid– by Jeff Kinney

This is the first of two “diaries” on this list. It is also the better-known one. It is about a kid named Greg, who is always getting himself in trouble, mostly because his “schemes” never go to plan. I don’t think he’ll ever really learn his lesson…

2. Most books by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton- by Andy Griffiths (obviously)

Although this isn’t a series, it is true. A lot of Andy’s books are easy to read, and hilarious on top of that. While not very smart (but hey, nobody came here for rocket science!) they are relaxing, hysterical, and never cease to amaze! They aren’t for the logical type, though.

3. Garfield– by Jim Davis     

Who doesn’t love ol’ fat ‘n’ lazy? I think this is a classic at heart. Although most people love this comic, some think it has too much crude humour. These people aren’t right at all, but I’ve learned to read on Garfield books. Good ‘ol fat cat.

4. Big Nate– by Lincoln Pierce

School and summer, war and peace are the thoughts of under average middle schooler, Nate Wright. A lucky guy when it counts, Nate is a bit of a… I honestly don’t know, but he isn’t boring! I recommend it to all the public schoolers indefinitely.

5. Diary of an 8 -Bit Warrior– by Cube Kid

An amazing, inventive, and intriguing book. It is my favourite on this list. I like almost everything about it, and there are four books in the series, so I can read all I want! It is set inside Minecraft, and follows the adventures of Runt, a Minecraft villager who wants to become a warrior. I recommend this to anyone who likes Minecraft.

I will wrap this up by saying that I read loads more books than a lot of the people I know, and that I regret I’ve never browsed all of the library. I would also like to thank my mom, who has kept me company and brought me snacks :).

Teen Book Review

If you are looking for a simple, uplifting story, Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott is the ideal book for you. This story is full of romance, high principles, human weaknesses, and sacrifice. Follow the struggles of twenty-year old Rose Campbell as she learns how to fight temptation, gives a good example to her circle of friends, tries to help her cousin conquer his weakness and bad habits, and experiences falling in love. Rose in Bloom is the sequel to Eight Cousins, which tells about Rose`s teenage years.

~Ardent Book Lover

Teen Book Review

Exciting news! We have some well read teens submitting book reviews and booklists to help you discover great new (or old) reads. Here is post from our first teen reviewer.

My Favourite book

          The Scarlet Pimpernel, by Baroness Emmuska Orczy, has got to be one of the best books I have ever read. Set during the French Revolution, this tale of daring rescues, heroic self-denial, concealed love, pride and comedy will have you anxiously turning pages, wondering what happens next. I was so glad when I found out that this book was part of a series of twenty. I was in book heaven! I read them straight through and then decided to read them all over again. Without a doubt, if you like adventure, love and comedy all rolled into one, you will love this series!

~Ardent Book Lover

(Side note: This book is no longer in the ORL collection, but it can be borrowed through Inter Library Loan. Just ask your friendly local librarian to order it for you, and it will be done.)