Books by Kacen Callender
“It’s romantic, and it’s funny, and it’s entertaining—but there’s a deep discussion of identity and trauma as well. What I’m learning is that romance isn’t always cotton candy; it can delve into these complex and dark topics.” Read more...
Aaron Aceves, Novelist
King and the Dragonflies
by Kacen Callender, narrated by Ron Butler
***2020 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature (USA)***
Ages: 9 – 12
Narrator: Ron Butler
Audiobook length: 5 hours and 3 minutes
“In this story we’re in Louisiana with a young Black boy, who is grieving his older brother who had just died, suddenly. It’s a tough topic, certainly, but we’re in a year where so many people are experiencing such trauma. Ron Butler’s narration just brings these different characters off of the page and into your ears.” Read more...
The Best Audiobooks for Kids of 2020
Emily Connelly, Journalist
Interviews where books by Kacen Callender were recommended
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1
¡Vamos! Let's Go Eat
by Raúl the Third, narrated by Gary Tiedemann -
2
Overground Railroad
by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James Ransome, narrated by Shayna Small and Dion Graham -
3
When Stars Are Scattered
by Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson, narrated by Faysal Ahmed (and full cast) -
4
Before the Ever After
by Jacqueline Woodson, narrated by Guy Lockard -
5
King and the Dragonflies
by Kacen Callender, narrated by Ron Butler
The Best Audiobooks for Kids of 2020, recommended by Emily Connelly
The Best Audiobooks for Kids of 2020, recommended by Emily Connelly
Whether you’re on a car journey or sitting on the sofa together at home, listening to audiobooks with kids can be an incredible experience. Some will make you laugh, some will make you weep. Many will help us develop empathy for other human beings in the world around us. Here Emily Connelly, Assistant Editor at AudioFile, talks us through the magazine’s choices of the best audiobooks for kids of 2020.
Realistic Fiction
Realistic fiction depicts situations that could happen in real life, with authentic characters who react in a believable way.
The Best LGBTQ+ Romance Books, recommended by Aaron Aceves
Recently there has been a big push among queer writers to foreground stories of love and joy, says Aaron Aceves, the debut author of a YA novel about longing, lust, and the value of friendship. Here, he selects five of the best LGBTQ+ romance novels with joie de vivre—but which also aren't afraid to engage with a bit of hard reality on the way to a happy ending.
