They’ll Never Catch Us by Jessica Goodman; narrated by Jesse Vilinsky, Phoebe Strole, and Kristen Sieh
Listening Library
Release Date: July 27, 2021
ISBN: 9780593398012
Track star sisters Ellie and Stella don’t have much in common besides their love of running. Stella is focused on winning back the scholarship she lost last year after an incident with another runner. Ellie is popular and tired of always living in her big sister’s shadow. When a new girl named Mila joins their track team, the sisters start to compete for her attention. Then Mila goes missing and both girls become suspects, threatening their relationship and future dreams.
This fast paced sports thriller is more than a mystery about a missing girl. The sisters’ complex relationship, issues around parental addiction and discussion of sexism in sports, all play a part in creating a nuanced story. The narrators are a perfect match for the characters they read. Each one portrays the girls’ varying personalities and all the voices work together to tell a seamless story.
If you’re a fan of female centered, multiple narrator mysteries like this, listen to I Killed Zoe Spanos by Kit Frick and That Weekend by Kara Thomas. For more thrillers involving family dynamics try The Cousins by Karen M. McManus.
–Rachel Adams, King County Library System
Other Nominated Titles
- All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat; narrated by Quincy Surasmith & Christina Soontornvat (October 13, 2020)
- Noelle: The Mean Girl Flyy Girls: Book #3 by Ashley Woodfolk; narrated by Shayna Small (March 9, 2021)
- Tobyn: The It Girl Flyy Girls: Book #4 by Ashley Woodfolk; narrated by Nicole Lewis (August 31, 2021)
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 title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten. The previous years’ lists are available on The Hub.