The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the field nomination form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams will feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation will be listed as well. At year’s end, the team will use that list of nominated titles to select a final list and Top Ten. The previous years’ lists are also made available on The Hub.
Amari and the Night Brothers by B. B. Alston; narrated by Imani Parks
Balzer + Bray
Release date: 19 January 2021
ISBN: 9780063057968
In this first book of the Supernatural Investigations series, the story begins with Amari Peters being called into the principal’s office on the last day of school and having her scholarship rescinded for physically responding to online and in-person bullying. As her summer begins, Amari Peters is grounded and her personal device is taken away as she struggles with how to continue searching for her missing brother, Quinton. She gets a mysterious delivery that leads her to join a summer camp, gain a best friend, and find her brother.
The narrator does an exceptional job channeling Amari’s character and her frustrations with learning to accept her various social identities instead of comparing herself to her brother. The audiobook captures the world-building and fast-paced adventure aspects of the story well.
Similar to the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan, this story involves the death of a family member leading the main character to enroll in a summer camp that introduces them to the supernatural. Readers who enjoyed the above and series like Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landry, Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling, and The 39 Clues by multiple authors will find this audiobook just as appealing.
– Caitlyn Seale
Other Nominated Titles
- The Love Curse of Melody McIntyre by Robin Talley; narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya (12/1/2020)
- Apple: Skin to the Core by Eric Gansworth; narrated by Eric Gansworth (10/6/2020)
- The Cousins by Karen M. McManus; narrated by Sarah Skaer, Kate Reinders, David Garelik, and Julia Whelan (12/1/2020)
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab; narrated by Julia Whelan (10/6/2020)
- The Sea in Winter by Christine Day; narrated by Kimberly Woods (1/5/2021)
Want to suggest a title? Access the nomination form to read more about the requirements.