This summer, SYNC will be providing two free teen audiobooks each week from April 27th to August 16th. Each week will focus on a specific theme, pairing a classic YA title with a more modern YA title. These two titles will be available to download for free this week only (from 5/25 to 6/1) at the SYNC website. The fifth week will start on Thursday, May 25th with Freakling and Boy . The theme for the fifth week is a question: “Who’s in charge of me?”
When 12-year-old Taemon loses his psi, the power everyone in the city has to move objects with their minds, he’s banished to the “dud community” to live among the powerless. Narrator Nick Podehl is an excellent choice for this dystopian story. His timing keeps up with the fast pace of the story without feeling rushed. His portrayal of Taemon changes as the character does, starting out shaky and uncertain for the awkward, unsure preteen and strengthening as Taemon transforms into a decisive, brave hero. Podehl’s tone is dark and ominous when depicting the unsavory characters who are plotting to take over the world. This imaginative debut novel examines what can go wrong when power goes unchecked. The library owns this title in both book and ebook formats.
This full-cast production creates a compelling audio experience exploring gender identity and sexuality. When an accident mutilates one of a pair of twin baby boys, his parents consult a doctor who convinces them to raise their son as a daughter. Bobby Steggert gives the standout performance in the role of the titular boy as both a child trying to understand life and an adult trying to make a life. Sarah Drew, John Getz, Travis Johns, and Amy Pietz splendidly fill out the rest of the cast of the L.A. Theatre Works production, directed by Debbie Devine. Listening to this production, based on a real-life event, will take listeners on an unforgettable emotional journey with this family and their boy.
Check out the rest of the month’s schedule here… you can even get text alerts about upcoming titles!
