Summer is just around the corner and so is Summer Reading! What better way to log reading minutes then by listening to audiobooks on your summer road trip that everyone in the family can enjoy! We have even compiled a list of audiobooks that you can check out right from our online library on the Libby App. If you don't have Libby yet you can download it here. Once it's downloaded, it's just three simple steps to get started:
Search for our library
Enter your library card number
Enter your password (it's your last name in all lowercase letters)
Viola! You're in and ready to start listening.
Road Trip Audiobooks Adventure Stories
The Penderwicks - Is worth reading for its simple, beautiful story about family, friendship, and following your dreams. The book is about four sisters, their widowed father, and their dog, Hound. They rent a cottage for a three-week summer vacation. The sisters have many adventures, some planned and some accidental, and the book explores themes of friendship, growing up, and family. Kids ages 8 to 12 love this book, but adults enjoy it too!
Dory Fantasmagory - Dory is quirky girl with a character and style that is bigger than life. Not everyone understands her unique behavior and approach to living. She struggles in school, but that does not stop her from being the best Dory she can be. She will make you laugh, cry and just feel all the feels of being human...the good, the bad, the awkward, and the triumph of overcoming life struggles.
Linked - This book was inspired by a famous eighth grade project from Tennessee called the Paper Clips Project. It is a riveting mystery-adventure with a strong message of respect, compassion, empathy, the power of individual & community action, and teamwork. One of the many great lessons in this book is a negative attitude does not define you or others, but instead can lead to looking for ways to improve one's self.
Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians - Not just an audiobook this is a graphic audio (A movie in your mind). As a bonus, it isn't just an adventure it's also makes you laugh-out-loud and has a bit of fantasy! Alcatraz (the main character; not the prison) breaks almost everything he touches. You would never think that having a talent for breaking things or being late would be a superpower...guess again! In the world of Evil librarians both are extremely useful in ways you never thought possible.
Fantasy
Amari and the Night Brothers - With a mystery at its core, a determined young girl at its lead, and a spectrum of supernatural influences as its backdrop, Amari and the Night Brothers will awaken the imagination in anybody. It's emotional, funny, and mystical all at the same time with a good reflection of real life.
The Thief Lord - Based in Venice, this book runs listeners through a vivid world of intriguing mystery in beautiful Italy. The characters (orphan Venice children) form strong bonds of friendship and each undergoes personal growth through resilience and loss that is relatable to readers. You can't help but be drawn into the story. It will have you hooked until the very end.
The Girl Who Drank the Moon - Not only does this book have a great story, it creates inspiration for standing up for what you believe in, the importance of family, the power of hope/love/forgiveness, and evokes emotions of joy and sorrow.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - The whole series of Narnia is an amazing adventure. This particular book is the third one in the series and has critics raving about it being the best. It was even deemed by the author as a spiritual journey--this book has a theme of Fate and Divine intervention. Bravery and Honor, and The Consequences of Greed and Sloth.
Historical Fiction
The War that Saved My Life - A historical fiction is a great way for children to learn about history in an engaging way. This book takes place during WWII. The main character is Ada, a young girl with a twisted foot who is treated differently from everyone else because of her disability. The events of the war surround her story as she is slowly seen by those around her as more than a helpless cripple, but an inspiration who can overcome any adversity.
A Single Shard - A Single Shard is a beautiful novel for all ages to dive into the world of traditional Korean culture of celadon pottery. It takes place during the Joseon Era (12th century Korea), the Era in which celadon pottery was first created and continues to be an integral part of Korean culture today. The main character is a Korean orphan, Tree-ear, who goes from a scrappy survivor to being fascinated by the celedon ware created in the village of Ch’ulp’o. He is determined to prove himself to the village master potter, Min—even if it means making a solitary journey to present Min’s work in the hope of a royal commission . . . or arriving at the royal court with nothing but a single celadon shard.
A Place to Hang the Moon - This story takes place during WWII. The setting being city children who are evacuated to the country for safe keeping. These children that are separated from their parents learn to lean on their siblings creating a bond of loyalty and support. As the world rages in war, these children are in a world of coziness and stories.
A Long Way from Chicago - Join Joey and his sister Mary Alice as they spend nine unforgettable summers with the worst influence imaginable-their grandmother! Funny and heartwarming this novel makes readers think about life and the value of family.
Nonfiction
All Thirteen - Meticulously researched, this nonfiction takes you on a journey of the true story of an incredible cave rescue of 13 Thai boys. This heart pounding story will inspire and warm the heart as a divided community comes together for a common goal.
When Stars are Scattered - Is a beautifully written graphic novel that smoothly transitions to an audiobook. Omar and his younger brother Hassan are refugees in Kenya and have struggles as they learn to navigate life without their parents. The book is based on the true experiences of Omar Mohammed, who arrived in Dadaab refugee camp when he was 4 and was resettled in Arizona when he was 19. It explores themes of family, hard work, challenges in life, and how to manage and overcome them.
Spooky
The Bunnicula Collection - Just the right amount of spooky-not too much but enough for the occasional goose bumps. Bunnicula is a bunny vampire who drains vegetables of their juices, could there be a better "kids will be kids" novel. Imagination is so important with children and this book just embodies that. It's not a life lessons book by any means, it's just for fun and delivers exactly that!
Sports Fiction
Ghost - If you can pace yourself through the book you will be rewarded with a remarkable story of a young person who finds out what is important in life. In the words of Coach, the story will: “Show you that you can't run away from who you are, but what you can do is run toward who you want to be.”
Humor
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle - Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle lives in an upside-down house, smells like cookies, and has a treatment for every ailment. She is incomparable and loves children (good or bad) and never scolds but has positive cures for Answer-Backers, Never-Want-to-Go-to-Bedders, and other boys and girls with strange habits.
Narwhal and Jelly - This series is a wonderfully silly children's graphic novel series, adapted for audio. It is about an imaginative and happy-go-lucky narwhal, and a skeptical jellyfish, who explore the ocean together. Clearly these two do not have a lot in common but they still showcase the joys of friendship, the benefits of working together and the power of imagination!
The Long Haul - Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a highly sought after series with kids. The Long Haul fits right in. A typical family road trip becomes chaotic and is just plain laugh-out-loud funny with all the boy humor you would come to expect. It will definitely keep the whole family entertained.
The Terrible Two - Miles Murphy is known for one thing and one thing only: pranking. He’s the best prankster his school has ever seen. So when he’s forced to move to boring, cow-filled Yawnee Valley, he assumes he’ll be the best prankster at his new school, too. There’s one problem. The school already has a prankster—and he’s good. Really good. Let the prank war begin!
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