Car Trips are Better with Audiobooks!
You’re planning a fun vacation for this summer, but you’re dreading the long drive. Will your kids drive you up the wall with their fighting? Or will they be entranced by their own devices, and leave you feeling like a chauffeur?
I recommend getting some great audiobooks that the whole family can enjoy! I’ve broken them up into categories, depending on the age of your child. These audiobooks are available through NC Digital Kids, Libby, or Hoopla.
Early Elementary
It can be too much to expect many younger children to listen to a long book and be able to follow the story. But there are great shorter stories that you can listen to and discuss as you drive! You can pause frequently and ask questions – what do you think will happen next? – to keep your kids invested in the story.
Ron Roy, A-Z Mysteries (and other series)
Ron Roy’s stories are classic detective whodunits with kid detectives, and they are short – around an hour each. Some titles are bundled together (A-Z Mysteries W,X,Y and Z), so you can borrow one “title” and get four books.
Mary Pope Osborne, Magic Tree House series
Two siblings, Jack and Annie, discover a magic tree house that transports them through space and time to visit dinosaurs, knights, mummies, pirates, and more! Some of the titles are bundled together, just like the A-Z Mysteries.
Dan Gutman, Wait? What! Biography series
Dan Gutman has written several book series, including My Weird School and My Weirderest School, but his newest series is biographies of famous people, focusing on the silly, strange, and weird aspects of their lives! Each book is a little more than an hour, making it perfect for young listeners.
Asia Citro, Zoey and Sassafras series
Each of Zoey’s books features a new magical animal that needs help through science. These books will have your children thinking through problems and trying out solutions – just like scientists!
Other series and authors to check out:
Tracey West, Dragon Masters series
Jordan Quinn, The Kingdom of Wrenly series
Peggy and Herman Parish, The Amelia Bedelia series
Abby Hanlon, Dory Fantasmagory
Sally Warner, EllRay Jakes series
Older Elementary School/Middle School Students
You’ll find all of the classics – Peter Pan, Charlotte’s Web, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, Pippi Longstocking – on NC Kids. However, there also are some great new books and series of books that parents will enjoy listening to as much as their kids!
Tui T. Sutherland, Wings of Fire series
Book 16 was just released, so this summer is the perfect time to catch up on this series! The first book begins with a prophecy that five small dragonets must fulfill to save their world from the war that rages on around them. These books do have some violence, and puppy (dragonet?) love, but the books are strictly PG.
Tracey Baptiste, The Jumbies series
Corinne’s parents use Caribbean folklore, especially the Jumbies, to frighten her into being good. But she’s not afraid – until she chases an agouti into the forest and sees shining yellow eyes following her. A beautiful stranger arrives at the market the next day, and Corinne knows she must tap into her magic to stop her from taking over her island.
Peter Brown, The Wild Robot Series
Roz, a robot, wakes up on an island, all alone, with no memory of her life before. She must befriend the animals who live on the island to learn how to survive here. When she finally feels like this island is home, her past comes back to upset the balance she’s found.
Other Authors and Series to Check Out
Lauren Tarshis, I Survived series
Teens
Teens definitely want to do their own thing in the car. But you might be able to capture their interest with one of these great books/series!
Margaret Peterson Haddix – Among the Hidden series
This is a dystopian science fiction series about Luke, one of the shadow children. His society only allows a certain number of children to be born to each family. Luke has spent his entire life indoors, hidden away. But when he sees a face in the house next door, he knows that he’s found another Shadow child. This girl has a dangerous plan to bring the shadow children out of hiding – does he dare join her?
Rebecca Ross – Divine Rivals series
Two gods, two mortals, and a frenemy-to-lovers storyline! Roman and Iris are both brilliant reporters sent to cover the war. The war is caused by two rival gods who are fighting and have involved the mortals of the world in their reckless carnage. There’s one sex scene in the first book that you might have to fast-forward through for everyone in the car’s comfort, but the story is universal and enjoyable for all ages. Book two in the series has plenty of violence (it’s a war), but nothing graphic, and the sex is implied rather than spelled out on the page.
Tracy Deonn – Legendborn Cycle
A young woman begins early college on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill shortly after the untimely death of her mother. She sees a demon on campus one night, and gets pulled into a secret society of the descendants of King Arthur and his court, whose job is to fight the demons and close the gates where they are coming in. Arthurian magic and her root magic combine to make an irresistible series of books. There is violence and death in this series, but it is necessary to the plot. The sex is mostly off-page or implied.
Adult Books/Authors That Appeal to Teens
What Kind of Paradise – Janelle Brown
How to Solve Your Own Murder – Kristen Perrin
Tress of the Emerald Sea – Brandon Sanderson
C.S. Lewis (beyond the Narnia series) On Libby and On hoopla
Mary Beth A. is the Community Engagement Librarian for Alamance County Public Libraries.