Best Audiobooks for Children and Teens

As a middle school reading teacher, and as a mother of 3, getting kids excited about reading is one of my passions.  Seriously.  I get to read great literature with kids and talk about it for my job!  How cool is that!

One of the best ways to help children get hooked on reading is to read aloud to them.  Children comprehend at a higher level than they can read, so listening to a book can often interest them more than reading it on the page.  Listening to a book is also a great family activity.  As I share in 10 Family Reading Activities, this helps create a family reading culture that encourages children to read.  Plus, it’s just plain fun!

Now, audiobooks vary in their quality and appeal to children.  Some are wonderfully done, while others can be lacking.  So, today I wanted to share with you 8 of the:

Best Audiobooks for Children and Teens

Before we begin, I want to clarify my categories a bit.  I am considering children to be ages 8-12.  However, these books can also appeal to people older than that.  I listened to and loved all of them!  The books for teens have more appeal to older readers–plus many of them deal with topics that would be inappropriate for younger readers.

Audiobooks for Children

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Anidori, Crown Princess, is married off to the prince of a neighboring land by her mother.  As she and her caravan journey toward him, Ani’s lady-in-waiting, Celia, overthrows Ani and tries to murder her.  Ani has to survive in a new country by pretending to be a lowly goose girl caring for the palace fowl.  As she befriends the castle folk and learns more about her new country, Ani also discovers powers that she never knew she had.  I fell in love with this book!  It’s a gently told, imaginative fantasy any 6-9th grader will love.  The audio version is beautifully narrated by Cynthia Bishop and is sure to enthrall.  (Link to audiobook.)

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

This book (recommended for grades 4-8) has everything kids love in literature:  intelligent and resourceful child heroes, adventure, obstacles to overcome, and a happy ending.  If you have a child who loved Harry Potter, do them a favor and introduce them to Reynie, Kate, Constance, and Sticky as they try to outwit the evil Ledroptha Curtain.  This is quite a long audiobook, so it would make the perfect road trip book!  Also, right now you can download it FREE when you sign up for a free 30 day trial of Audible.  What a steal!  (Link to audiobook.)

Belle Prater’s Boy by Ruth White

I was completely captivated by this gentle story of Gypsy, a twelve-year-old beauty who has lost her father, and Woodrow, her cousin whose mother–Belle Prater–has completely disappeared.  This Newbery Honor book has a slower pace than many of today’s books.  It is filled with rich characterization and sense of place and is a great pick for 4th-7th grade students.  Alison Elliot narrates is perfectly with a soft, Southern voice full of quiet strength.  (Link to audiobook.)

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

This book really is a hoot!  Roy is new in town and spends most of his time trying to run from the class bully.  One day he spots another kid running and is intrigued.  He soon finds himself involved in a plan to stop the building on a pancake shop because it will destroy the home of a colony of burrowing owls.  Filled with plenty of laughs, Hoot also provides excellent conversation starters for conservation, healthy relationships, and the power of kids to change the world.  (Link to audiobook.)

Best Audiobooks for Teens

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

This is hands down one of the top three audiobooks I listened to last year.  The narration was amazing!  Granted, the story is a bit creepy, so I wouldn’t recommend listening to it at night if you’re anything like me.  🙂  In the novel, Cassie is a 17-year-old girl with a talent for profiling.  Her talent gets her noticed by the FBI, which recruits her for the Naturals Program–a program for teenagers with gifts that help them solve cold cases.  However, one case quickly turns real, as a serial killer begins stalking Cassie.  The first in a series, The Naturals is a Criminal Minds for teens.  (Link to audiobook.)

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

If I Stay tells the story of Mia–the only member of her family left alive after a tragic car accident.  Mia is in intensive care and somehow able to see and hear all that is going on around her.  She realizes that she has the choice:  she can stay if she wants, or she can go on and be with her family.  As she is trying to decide, she remembers scenes from her relationship with her boyfriend Adam, her love of the cello, and the overwhelming power of music.  Lovely narration.  Some profanity and sexual situations. (Link to audiobook.)

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

I spent two years living and working on the Zuni reservation in New Mexico.  Though I only have this limited experience of living among Native Americans, Alexie’s book–its subject matter, its tone, its humor, its philosophy–rings true with my experience.  The book is considered controversial because of its profanity, intense subject matter, and sexual references.  However, I am really glad that I listened to it because it is thought-provoking and incredibly funny.  Sherman Alexie himself narrates it, which is a real treat. (Link to audiobook.)

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

Finally, The Running Dream was my absolute favorite audiobook of 2015.  Track star Jessica is involved in a horrific car accident that kills a team member and takes her own leg. Now an amputee, Jessica must relearn how to move, walk, fit in at school, and find hope.  A fantastic book for children grades 6-12 which explores strength, friendship, special needs, and empathy.  (Link to audiobook.)  It is also free if you sign up for a 30 day free trial of Audible!

Where do you find audiobooks?

1. Public Library

Most libraries have a nice selection of books on CD or digital audiobooks.  I get most of the audiobooks I listen to from my lovely library!

2.  Audible.com

Another great option is to get a membership to Audible.com.  Then you have access to thousands of audiobooks and can download them on your device.  You can sign up for a FREE 30 day trial here.  With your free trial, you can download (and keep!) two audiobooks.  Many of the books that I’ve listed are $15-$30 each, so this is a great deal!

Happy listening!

Do you listen to audiobooks?  What are some of your favorites?

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