Click here to see all of the current Amazing Audiobooks nominees along with more information about the list and past years’ selections.
All-American Muslim Girl by Nadine Jolie Courtney; Narrated by Priya Ayyar
Dreamscape Media, LLC
Publication Date: November 12, 2019
ISBN: 978-1974959310
Allie carries more of her white mother’s genes than her Circassian Jordanian father’s, and because of this, has been witness to the racism and Islamophobia of some of her peers. She has also had a complicated relationship with her Muslim faith, as her mother was a convert upon marrying her father, and her father is no longer practicing, and she seeks what it means to be Muslim for her. At her new school in Providence, Georgia she starts dating Wells Henderson, son of one of the country’s biggest Islamophobic radio personalities.
Ayyar’s narration is the perfect match for this first-person narrative, capturing Allie’s vulnerability, determination, and indignation as she deals with discrimination and Islamophobia while seeking her own sense of identity. Ayyar moves effortlessly through the different U.S. regional accents and Allie’s more global relatives.
Readers that seek rich, authentic stories that explore teen’s finding their identity like Elizabeth Acevodo’s The Poet X, Nic Stone’s Dear Martin, and Isabel Quintero’s Gabi, Girl in Pieces will really appreciate Allie’s journey as will fans of shows like My So Called Life, Degrassi: Next Class, and I Am Not Okay With This.
–Danielle Jones
Jackpot by Nic Stone, narrated by Nic Stone
Listening Library
Release date October 15, 2019
ISBN: 9781984829627
Rico is barely holding it together with her mom and little brother. Working as many hours as she possibly can, they are just barely able to cover their bills.
On Christmas Eve, an elderly woman comes into the store where she works and purchases a lottery ticket. When the numbers are announced, and the winning ticket was purchased at her store, she becomes convinced that the old woman must have it. When the prize goes unclaimed, Rico is determined to find the woman. Needing help, she turns to Zan, a rich, beautiful boy from school and together they go on a quest.
Narrating her own book, Nic Stone delivers a highly energetic tale with her obvious understanding of the tone and inflection of the characters words.
Readers who like realistic fiction quest stories, romance, and stories exploring economic realities of those with too little and those with too much will enjoy this.
-Cathy Outten