Amazing Audiobooks (#AA2023) Featured Review of Azar On Fire by Olivia Abtahi

Azar Rossi’s Freshman year of high school has been virtually silent. Her classmates think she’s just quiet, but in reality, Azar’s voice has the croaky rasp of a chain smoker. Due to an extreme case of colic as a baby, Azar’s vocal cords are shredded and talking is quite painful. But Azar has big dreams of being a famous songwriter and when an accident in a school janitorial closet somehow leads to Azar putting together an act for a city-wide teenaged Battle of the Bands, she thinks her dreams may finally be coming true.

Abtahi writes this novel with so much yearning and warmth. Teens will relate to Azar’s all-consuming love for music, as well as her health and family challenges. McKenna does a great job portraying Azar’s raspy voice and heart-felt song lyrics. An easily accessible title for teens of all ages, this audiobook will appeal to readers of Abtahi’s first book, Perfectly Parvin as well as Super Fake Love Song by David Yoon or Julie and the Phantoms.

-Natalie LaRocque

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.