Book description
Lucky's voice is the heart of this audiobook. Ten years old, sharp, and scared, she runs from Hard Pan, California, convinced her French guardian will send her to an orphanage. Her dog, HMS Beagle, is her only companion. The desert ahead is vast, dangerous. She's got no plan, just the need to stay together.
The audiobook gets it right. The narrator captures Lucky's urgency, her small-town voice, the way she thinks in fragments. You hear the dust in her throat, the weight of her backpack. The Mojave isn't just a setting; it's a character. You feel the heat, the silence, the terrifying openness.
Susan Patron, a former children's librarian, knows this world. She spent decades in libraries, training others. You can hear that deep understanding in every word. The story isn't about grand adventure. It's about a child's quiet terror of being unwanted. Of losing Miles (who eats cookies), Lincoln (future president, maybe), and the strange comfort of listening to strangers talk about Higher Powers at meetings.
Lucky's fear is real. Her plan is flawed. The dust storm hits. The backpack is too heavy. She's alone. But she keeps walking. The audiobook makes her courage feel earned, not forced.
The writing is spare. Short sentences. No extra words. Like Lucky herself. "The meanness gland in her heart." "Crevices full of questions." You don't need more. The emotion is in the quiet moments: her hand on Beagle's fur, the sound of her own breath in the dark.
This isn't a story about rescue. It's about finding your own strength when everything feels gone. The audiobook's strength is its simplicity. It trusts you to feel what Lucky feels. You don't need a big soundtrack. The desert wind, Lucky's voice, the sound of her steps on gravel-they carry everything.
The Newbery Medal wasn't a surprise. This story, told through voice, is exactly what the award celebrates: a clear, honest, deeply human moment, perfectly captured. It's not just for kids. It's for anyone who remembers what it felt like to be small and scared, and to find a way forward anyway. The audiobook makes that feeling immediate. You hear the journey. You feel it. It's a quiet, powerful thing.
Onion King
This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules β it's like time travel through stories. I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Marine Dre
Finally, an app that turns my daily commute into an adventure through literature. I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life.
Flint Cast-Iron
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. πβ¨ Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of reading.
California Goddess
I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. π Say goodbye to boredom during long drives β this app makes road trips fly by! ππ ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to share the joy of captivating stories with friends and family.
JesterZilla
ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree.
VenusLion
π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
JK Friend
ListenBook is more than just an app β it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
CloudFrenzy
π§ Audiobooks anywhere, anytime β this app's convenience is unbeatable! ππ ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature is a time-saving convenience that I greatly appreciate. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature!
Napoleonic Haze
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 β it shows their dedication to excellence. The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights β it's a true audio marvel. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is a true gem.
Solitaire
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities.
Engine Eye
I'm hooked on this app β it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. π‘ Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house β it's like having a helper! π π The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly.
Toe
β° Starting my mornings with inspiration β audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! βοΈπ§ Audiobooks on the go β this app's design prioritizes convenience. Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place!
Neophyte Believer
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats makes it a versatile and essential app for audiobook enthusiasts. Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. π Indulging in soothing bedtime stories β this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
DARK HQ
Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
QuantumQuill
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. I'm hooked on this app's curated content β it's like having a personal librarian. I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze.
Sir Shove
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. πββοΈπ Experiencing stories while staying active β this app's functionality enhances my walks and runs like never before. π§ποΈ Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections.
Mr. Wholesome
I'm blown away by the range of non-fiction audiobooks available β so much to learn! I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone!
Noh Noh
I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. The ability to download audio directly within the app is a lifesaver. ListenBook is incredibly convenient.
Wiccan Trouble
Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is top-notch. I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off!
Grave Scuttlebutt
ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats β this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ππ Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback. ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly.
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