Narrator Neil Shah underwhelms listeners as he delivers this immigrant story based loosely on the author’s brother-in-law’s experiences while fleeing war-ravaged Afghanistan. It’s 2001, and 12-year-old Fadi and his family make a dash for the U.S. to seek refuge. But just as they near neighboring Pakistan, the Taliban appears, and Fadi’s younger sister, Mariam, gets left behind. Shah sounds off-key while narrating some of the dramatic scenes. Where the work requires a solemn tone because of family separation and other issues of immigration, Shah’s treatment sounds oddly exuberant. Furthermore, most of the characters need strong, distinct voices to sound compelling. Listeners will be intrigued by this audiobook’s topic, but Shah’s narration may disappoint. A.C. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
When sweeping generalizations are made about faith communities, the human stories of those whose grew up in various religious traditions are erased. Today, we’re celebrating those stories. The diversity of beliefs in the children’s lit community is vast, and we want to highlight not only novels that grapple with faith and spirituality, but also the role faith has […]
Immigrants and refugees have long been part of our cultural tapestry, though it hasn’t been until more recent years that their stories have begun to appear with more authenticity in children’s literature. Below are seven inspiring stories, both historical and contemporary, that speak to the experiences of immigrants and refugees. What books would you add […]
From alternate realities in the toy industry, to whimsy and magic on high-speeds trains, going back in time to when women were fighting for the right to vote and fast-forwarding to the present crisis Syria, these middle grade stories deal with fantasy, history, humor, and everything in between. Get ready to brighten up the dark […]