2026 Amazing Audiobooks List

The Dead of Summer. By Ryan La Sala. Read by Pete Cross, A’rese Emokpae & Ryan La Sala. 2025. 10.5 hr. Scholastic Inc., DD (9798225001186). Gr. 9-12.

Ollie returns to his home of Anchor’s Mercy, a popular tourist destination where locals frequently experience health issues. Following the onset of a severe storm and the emergence of an unexplained illness affecting both visitors and inhabitants, significant disorder ensues. Ollie and his longtime friends must act to save the people of their island. The book skillfully blends horror and humor in its narration, and uses interviews effectively to distinguish them from the main storytelling.

Knucklehead: Poems. By Tony Keith Jr. Read by Tony Keith Jr. 2025. 1.5 hr. Quill Tree Books, DD (9780063296084). Gr. 9-12.

Tony Keith Jr.’s Knucklehead: Poems is a powerful, lyrical journey through Black queer identity, resilience, and self-discovery. Keith’s passionate audiobook performance enhances the raw emotion, humor, and depth of his poetry, making it an unforgettable listen. A must-hear for spoken-word fans and lovers of personal, evocative storytelling.

The Leaving Room. By Amber McBride. Read by Amber McBride. 2025. 2.5 hr. Macmillan Audio, DD (9781250411440). Gr. 7-12.

A lyrical, haunting novel-in-verse exploring grief and healing. McBride’s voice is both intimate and expansive, weaving folklore and personal loss. The audiobook heightens the experience with a tender, evocative narration that deepens the emotional resonance.

Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories. Cynthia Leitich Smith, Kate Hart, Eric Gansworth, Marcella Bell, Darcie Little Badger, Karina Iceberg, Kaua Mahoe Adams, Cheryl Isaacs, Andrea L. Rogers, Christine Hartman Derr, Brian Young, K. A. Cobell, Jen Ferguson, A. J. Eversole, Byron Graves, Angeline Boulley & David A. Robertson. Read by Katie Anvil Rich, DeLanna Studi, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Darrell Dennis, Elva Guerra, Erin Tripp & Jordan Waunch. 2025. 7.75 hr. Heartdrum, DD (9780063314290). Gr. 7-12.

Each teen story converges at Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In—a magical place that appears when needed, offering more than food. Blending Native culture, traditions, humor, and heart, these interconnected tales by acclaimed Indigenous authors serve up love, healing, and the best frybread under the glow of its neon sign. Each story features a unique and genuine voice thanks to the different narrators.

More from Cynthia Leitich Smith here!

Soundtrack. By Jason Reynolds. Read by Nile Bullock as Stuy Mekhi Hewling as Dunks Jade Williams as Keith Brandon Miles as Alexis Ryan Vincent Anderson as Uncle Lucky Amir Royale as Frankie Jasmin Richardson as Stuy’s Mom Christopher Grant as Dom Khaya Fraites as Ashley Nadine Simmons as Mrs. Dyson Robb Moreira as Mr. Garcia Wé Ani as Lisa Rocky Anicette as Dylan Brandiss Seward as Frankie’s Mom, with Siho Ellsmore, Tyrell Buckner, Gina Daniels, Karen Murray, Jonathan Beville, and Karla Moore. 2025. 6.5 hr. Listening Library, DD (9780593863466). Gr. 7-12.

Stuy and his friends form a subway band called Soundtrack, surprising everyone—including themselves—as their music turns them into an underground sensation. Jason Reynolds’ vibrant audiobook, featuring a full cast and original score, captures the power of friendship, family, and finding your voice in the heart of the city. The story included an original soundtrack, a wide range of characters, and sound effects, allowing the listener to visualize everything as it was being narrated.

The Story of My Anger. By Jasminne Mendez. Read by Jasminne Mendez, Shayr Guthrie, Pamela Gold, Rae De Vine, Angel Pean, Jeremy Carlisle Parker, Reynaldo Piniella, Nayib Felix & Almarie Guerra. 2025. 4 hr. Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, DD (9798217081752). Gr. 7-12.

Jasminne Mendez delivers a raw, lyrical memoir-in-verse exploring generational trauma, identity, and healing. Her narration is intimate and powerful—layered with emotion that amplifies the poetry’s rhythm and vulnerability, making the audio a deeply personal and moving experience.

There’s Always Next Year. By Leah Johnson and George M. Johnson. Read by Eric Lockley & Khaya Fraites. 2025. 6 hr. Macmillan Audio, DD (9781250415141). Gr. 9-12.

A vibrant dual-POV performance brings George M. Johnson and Leah Johnson’s story to life, enriched by dynamic sound effects due to the podcast elements within the pages. The alternating narrators add warmth, humor, and emotional depth, creating an immersive listening experience that feels immediate, intimate, and full of heart.

Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day. By Alex L. Combs & Andrew Eakett. Read by Alex L. Combs, Andrew Eakett & Full Cast. 2025. 3.5 hr. Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, DD (9780593414552). Gr 7-12.

The history of people who have lived outside of the gender binary, from the ancient world to the present day. The stories of historical figures are told with witty asides, preventing the text from becoming too heavy.

Under the Same Stars. By Libba Bray. Read by January LaVoy, Jeremy Carlisle Parker & Major Curda. 2025. 16.5 hr. Macmillan Audio, DD (9781250353993). Gr. 7-12.

From Nazi resistance to punk-fueled defiance and a 2020 cold case, the Bridegroom’s Oak holds secrets that Sophie, Jenny, Miles, and Chloe must unravel. Three narrators bring urgency, heart, and solid pacing to a story where love, danger, and destiny clash across eighty years.

When We Ride. By Rex Ogle. Read by Ramón de Ocampo. 2025. 8 hr. Listening Library, DD (9798896790570). Gr. 9-12.

Diego Benevides dreams of escaping his neighborhood through education but driving for his drug-dealing best friend puts his future—and life—at risk. This gripping story of loyalty, survival, and consequence is powerfully narrated by Ramon de Ocampo, whose nuanced performance captures the emotional depth and tension of Diego’s journey.

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