Book description
Leigh Botts is drowning in silence. His lunch bag gets stolen. His dad's gone, just a voice on the phone. Sixth grade feels like a prison. Then he writes a letter. Not to a friend. To Mr. Henshaw. The author he idolizes. The man whose books are his only lifeline. He doesn't expect an answer. He's just trying to make the quiet scream stop.
This isn't just a kids' book. It's a raw, aching scream into the void, perfectly captured in the audiobook. You hear the tremor in Leigh's voice as he writes, the way his throat tightens when he talks about his dad. The narrator doesn't whisper; they embody that lonely kid, that furious, hopeful kid. You don't just read about the stolen lunches, you feel the cold, empty space in his stomach. You hear the frustration when he says, "I'm not a thief. I'm just a kid who's alone."
Beverly Cleary didn't just write stories; she gave kids permission to feel everything they were too scared to say. This is her masterpiece, the one that won the Newbery. And the audiobook? It's the only way to truly feel it. The words aren't just on a page; they're in your ear, sharp and real, like Leigh's own thoughts racing. When Mr. Henshaw finally writes back, it's not a fairy tale. It's a lifeline thrown to a kid who thought he was invisible. You hear the crack in the narrator's voice when Leigh reads it, the first time he feels seen.
It's not pretty. It's messy, like real childhood. The anger, the loneliness, the desperate need for someone to say, "I see you." Cleary nailed it because she knew that feeling. She grew up in Grant Park, Portland, and her characters weren't just characters-they were the kids in the schoolyard, the ones who felt everything too deeply. The fact that 91 million copies exist? That's not just sales. That's millions of kids whispering, "Me too," into their own silence.
This audiobook doesn't just tell you about Leigh's journey. It makes you live it. You're right there with him, writing that letter, holding your breath for the reply. You feel the weight of the absence, the sting of the stolen lunch, the fragile, terrifying hope when the envelope arrives. It's why Cleary won the National Book Award and the Newbery. Not for perfect stories, but for stories that hurt and heal exactly as real life does. You'll hear it in your own voice later, that quiet moment when you remember feeling utterly alone, and then-just like Leigh-someone finally spoke back. That's the power in this voice. That's why it's still shaking kids loose from their silence, 70 years later. Don't just read it. Let it hit you, loud and clear, in your ear.
Shadow Bishop
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Sofa King
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NemesisX
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Indestructible Potato
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app โ it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves! Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available. Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information. This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
Elektrik
I'm no longer missing out on great stories โ this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. ListenBook has transformed my listening habits, making them more engaging and enjoyable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever.
Sass Burst
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Jester
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Foot-long Fry
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Trick Baron
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Dallas Foxface
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Dakota Bliss
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Spicy Thunder
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream โ simple and efficient. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Electric Saturn
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Rooster
ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. Audiobooks have never been this immersive โ this app transports me to different worlds. This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide.
CuriousCraft
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection โ it's a parenting win! I can't believe how much more productive I am โ I'm learning and growing while multitasking! Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itโs a fun feature.
Spitfire
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Pink C
I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. ListenBook is a game-changer โ it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. Seamless audiobook integration โ this app's design is remarkable.
InsightInkwell
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a game-changer. Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend.
Dahlia Bumble
I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. Audiobooks made accessible โ this app's ease of use is a true blessing. Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. ๐๐ The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient.
Sokol
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. ๐๐ง
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience