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Best Friends Audiobook
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Publisher Description
"Author Shannon Hale narrates as a full cast enacts the drama of her sixth-grade year in this adaptation of the middle volume of her graphic memoir trilogy. Portraying young Shannon, Mia Jenness evokes excitement, uncertainty, and hurt--painfully and exquisitely--as she picks her way through a friendship minefield."- AudioFile (Earphones Award Winner)
"...a stellar full cast presents a wonderfully immersive production, augmented with 1980s music, and background sound effects. The result is a sensational rollercoaster ride epitomizing the ups and downs of middle school relationships..."- School Library Journal
"A talented group of voice actors play Shannon's friends, rivals, crushes, teachers, and family members. Young actor Mia Jenness especially excels as the young Shannon. Captivating, skillfully mixed sound effects fill the air throughout, giving the scenes set on playgrounds and in schoolrooms an immersive feel."- Booklist
This program includes captivating sound design, music, and a multicast narration with twelve voice actors including the author, her husband, and her children. It also includes a bonus conversation between the author and her sixth-grade daughters reflecting on their shared experiences.
A national and New York Times Bestseller!
The creators of Real Friends Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham are back with a true story about popularity, first crushes, and finding your own path in Best Friends.
Follow your heart. Find your people.
Sixth grade is supposed to be perfect. Shannon’s got a sure spot in the in-crowd called The Group, and her best friend is their leader, Jen, the most popular girl in school.
But the rules are always changing, and Shannon has to scramble to keep up. She never knows which TV shows are cool, what songs to listen to, and who she’s allowed to talk to. Who makes these rules, anyway? And does Shannon have to follow them?
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2019
A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book of 2019
A National Public Radio (NPR) Best Book of 2019
One of NBC Today's 26 Best Kids' Books of 2019
2020 Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year List
A Macmillan Audio production from Roaring Brook Press.
Download and start listening now!
“Author Shannon Hale narrates as a full cast enacts the drama of her sixth-grade year…Portraying young Shannon, Mia Jenness evokes excitement, uncertainty, and hurt—painfully and exquisitely…A panoply of sound effects helps take listeners back to 1985…A boisterous conversation among Hale and her twin daughters, original to this production, connects then and now. An empathetic antidote to sixth grade. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile
Quotes
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A terrific look at middle school culture…Will mean a great deal to many kids and empower those who are happier following their own inclinations than in going along with the group.”
— School Library Journal (starred review) -
“An honest, empathetic, and encouraging narrative for young readers braving the ups and downs of the tween years.”
— Horn Book -
“Somehow, Hale and Pham have made the “normal girl” into the ultimate cool girl.
— The New York Times Book Review -
This uncommonly honest portrayal of the lures and pitfalls of popularity will likely ring true to many elementary and middle-school readers.
— Booklist, starred review -
A terrific look at middle school culture . . . This authentic, important book will mean a great deal to many kids.
— School Library Journal, starred review -
A must-read for fans of Raina Telgemeier or Victoria Jamieson . . . This glimpse into middle school is insightful, introspective, and important.
— Kirkus Reviews, starred review -
A natural suggestion for fans of Cece Bell and Raina Telgemeier, this book offers an honest, empathetic, and encouraging narrative for young readers braving the ups and downs of the tween years.
— Horn Book -
Fresh and funny.
— New York Times Book Review -
The book's truth is as vibrant as its art.
— Washington Post -
I have two boys, they love these books. They love to talk about the friendships, I love that I am discussing all of these issues through the lives of these girls. There is something about it that's so wonderful.
— NPR -
Wistful, affecting, and utterly charming.
— Booklist, starred review -
A heart-stabbing tale of the everyday social agonies of girlhood.
— Wall Street Journal -
Shows us the incredible kindness and solidarity that girls can and do display.
— The Mary Sue -
Bound to resonate with most readers, especially fans of Raina Telgemeier.
— School Library Journal, starred review -
A wonderfully observed portrait of finding one’s place in your world.
— Publishers Weekly, starred review -
Nails what it’s like to navigate elementary-school friendships.
— Parents Magazine -
Sure to be loved by anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.
— Victoria Jamieson, New York Times–bestselling and Newbery Honor author of Roller Girl -
Fresh, fun, and achingly real. Bravo!
— Jennifer L. Holm, New York Times–bestselling and Newbery Honor author and co-creator of Sunny Side Up and the Babymouse series -
This book is SO GOOD. SO MANY FEELS.
— Gene Luen Yang, American Born Chinese
Awards
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A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
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A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Selection
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An NPR Best Book of the Year
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A Today Show Pick of Best Kids Books
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A Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
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Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
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Among longlisted titles for NPR Best Book of the Year, 2019
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Among longlisted titles for Amazon.com Best Books of the Year, 2019
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Among longlisted titles for NPR Best Book of the Year, 2019
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Among longlisted titles for Amazon.com Best Books of the Year, 2019
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Among longlisted titles for NPR Best Book of the Year, 2019
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Among longlisted titles for Amazon.com Best Books of the Year, 2019
Best Friends Listener Reviews
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About Shannon Hale
Shannon Hale is the author of multiple award-winning young adult novels, including Austenland and the New York Times bestselling Princess Academy, which is also a Newbery Honor book. Her first book, The Goose Girl, was an ALA Top Ten Book for Young Adults and won the Josette Frank Award. In addition to her successful young adult novels, she cowrote two graphic novels with her husband, Rapunzel’s Revenge and Calamity Jack. She received a degree in English from the University of Utah and a master’s in creative writing from the University of Montana.
About the Narrators
Carlotta Brentan is a voice talent and audiobook narrator.
Michael Crouch is an actor based in New York City. His audiobook narration has won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration, numerous Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine, and Best of the Year accolades from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. He can also be heard on national commercials, cartoons, video games, and the animé series Pokémon XY and Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V.
Timothy Andrés Pabon is an English- and Spanish-speaking voice-over artist who has worked extensively in advertising and audiobook narration. He has had acting roles on House of Cards and has also been a costar on HBO’s acclaimed series The Wire opposite country music legend Steve Earl. As a stage actor, he has worked off-Broadway at the June Havoc Theatre, and his regional credits include Center Stage, the Shakespeare Theatre, Arena Stage, the Hippodrome, Olney Theatre, Rep Stage, and GALA Hispanic Theatre.
Jesse Vilinsky is a classically trained actress and voice actor, having graduated from the USC School of Dramatic Arts and BADA in London. She has lent her voice to numerous film and television projects and has worked on various video games, animation, and commercial projects as well. As a narrator, Jesse has garnered recognition in AudioFile magazine for her expertly voiced characters and ability to bring forth the strength and truth of their stories.
Bahni Turpin, winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and several prestigious Audie Awards for her narrations, was named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine in 2019. Publishers Weekly magazine named her Narrator of the Year for 2016. She is an ensemble member of the Cornerstone Theater Company in Los Angeles. She has guest starred in many television series, including NYPD Blue, Law & Order, Six Feet Under, Cold Case, What about Brian, and The Comeback. Film credits include Brokedown Palace, Crossroads, and Daughters of the Dust. She is also a member of the recording cast of The Help, which won numerous awards.
Michael Crouch is an actor based in New York City. His audiobook narration has won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration, numerous Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine, and Best of the Year accolades from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. He can also be heard on national commercials, cartoons, video games, and the animé series Pokémon XY and Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V.
Bleak December Inc. is a multimedia company founded by Canadian actor and filmmaker Anthony D.P. Mann.