2024’s Best Audiobooks for Kids & Teens
by Kate Smith
As the end of the year and the holidays approach, the team at Listening Library took a moment to reflect on some of the best audiobooks of 2024! These are just some of the audiobooks I can’t stop talking about. There’s truly something for everyone on your list, even the grown-ups!
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Little Listeners
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The Perfect Place
Dion Graham’s narration transports listeners to the perfect place and back again. Lucas dreams of a perfect place where his family’s worries are erased, and where they have time to celebrate his recent win at school. Lucas soon realizes that the perfect place isn’t so perfect, and he misses his family and all their imperfections.
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PictureFace Lizzy
This audiobook is such a joyful story about the allure of social media and finding ways to play beyond screens. Written by Josh Gad (the voice of Olaf in Frozen) and narrated by his good friend Kristen Bell (the voice of Anna).
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Ms. Rachel and the Special Surprise: Encouraging Speech and Learning Through Play and Music
The YouTube star and toddler sensation reads and sings in the audiobook edition of her new picture book. Helpful backmatter advises parents about how to best encourage speech and what to do if they think their child has a learning delay.
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Tweens
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Max in the House of Spies
The combination of bestselling author Adam Gidwitz’s first book in a new duology and narrator Euan Morton (King George in Hamilton on Broadway) gives listeners an exciting, comedic, and immersive experience. Set in World War II with elements of Jewish mythology, Max is sent to London for his safety. Max sets out to become a British spy, so that he can return home undercover.
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The Secret Library
Perfect for fans of When You Reach Me, this time-travel middle grade adventure follows Dally, who discovers a secret vault in a library where the books are portals for different points in time. A compelling family mystery and coming-of-age story with beautiful narration by Nekia Renee Martin.
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His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass (Book 1)
Read by Mrs. Coulter herself, Ruth Wilson, this new audiobook recording of The Golden Compass is a skillful single-voice narration of Philip Pullman’s beloved story. This new audiobook is a great way to introduce new listeners to Lyra’s world and a great gift for those who enjoyed the HBO Max television series.
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Impossible Creatures
An instant classic, two children set off on an adventure to save the world’s magic. Samuel West’s gifted narration instantly creates a genuine emotional connection between the characters and the listeners. The world is instantly mesmerizing: filled with magical creatures like dragons, griffins, krakens, and more. Katherine Rundell’s story is at times heartbreaking and will leave readers eager for the second installment.
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Young Adults
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Blood at the Root
Originally imagined as a feature film, this epic fantasy novel asks the question “What if Harry Potter was set at an HBCU?” Set in the South, with the compelling themes of family, community, and history, Malik finds himself at a magical school for Black magically gifted youth and finds an ancient evil has reawakened. Narrated by actor Jalyn Hall (known for The Crossover).
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Such Charming Liars
Mother-daughter jewel thieves Jamie and Kat set out for one final job together at a billionaire’s birthday party only to run into Jamie’s ex husband (a con artist) and Kat’s former stepbrother Liam at the party. What could go wrong? A thrilling and comedic audiobook told from alternating perspectives with matching dual narration by Skyler Gallun and Victoria Villarreal.
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Heir
Set in the fantasy world of An Ember in the Ashes, this new epic fantasy by Sabaa Tahir weaves all the best fantasy elements and romantasy tropes together, into a story that is impossible to put down. Each of the main characters is voiced by a different narrator. Join an orphan, an outcast, and a prince on a sweeping adventure as a killer threatens their lives.
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A Queen's Game
From Katharine McGee, author of the bestselling American Royals series, comes a new audiobook perfect for fans of Bridgerton and Downton Abbey. Set in the time that Queen Victoria’s grandchildren were coming of age, this novel focuses on three young royals across Europe as they navigate balls, courting, and the strict rules of Victorian society. They find themselves careening towards disaster as they challenge the lives that have been laid before them.
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When the World Tips Over
A perfect listen for teens and adults. Jandy Nelson returns to YA for the first time in ten years with this grand family story. Set in Northern California wine country, the state acts as a character at times, and Jandy Nelson weaves gorgeous magical realism into the central family’s lineage and history. Told from alternating points of view and narrated by a stellar cast, listeners follow the Fall family as they find their way back to one another on the brink of a family tragedy.
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Graphic Novel Adaptations
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Gender Queer
The groundbreaking graphic novel adapted for audio. Led gracefully by author Maia Kobabe, this full cast narration translates the poignant memoir beautifully to a new format. This autobiographical story is perfect for teens thinking about their own gender, or teens looking to understand and empathize.
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Huda F Are You?
The hilarious and heartfelt Huda Fahmy, now behind the mic! Huda Fahmy leads a full cast in this lovingly soundscaped audiobook, bringing the visual comedy of the graphic novel to the audio medium. Semi-autobiographical, join teenage Huda in the perils of high school, periods, and sisters!
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Blood City Rollers
This gorgeously immersive graphic novel audiobook adaptation. Skater Mina falls and thinks her skating career is over. To her surprise, she is healed and recruited by a vampire roller derby team. Let the paranormal games begin! Chalk full of hilarious references and queer joy in a fun new fantasy world.
