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.
Mud Eye
Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences – it's a fantastic touch. This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules – it's like time travel through stories. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist! I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits.
Voodoo Cyclone
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book – brilliant! I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. The app is worth every penny. It’s packed with features and works flawlessly.
Roller Girl
Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is top-notch. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling.
WordWanderer
⏰ Starting my mornings with inspiration – audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! ☀️🎧 ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Mosquit-No
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. Chapters make navigation a breeze. I can easily pick up where I left off. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just right—not too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Lil Rebel Ma
📚 Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. 📱🎧 I’m blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Spider Fuji
CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. It's like having a personal assistant for my literary adventures. Has every feature I need. My top choice for audiobooks!
Predator
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make every moment a reading moment. ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer.
Racy Babe
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Kawaii Red
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true blessing for enjoying clear audio even in noisy environments. 🎧 This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work – genius! 📚💼 Mastering audiobook navigation – this app's ease of use is commendable.
Dark Horse
🎉 My audiobook haven – this app is like a door to endless adventures and knowledge! 📚🔑 is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and reliable.
East Army
🎶📚 My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. 🎧🎶 Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient. Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Silver Cup
The app's interface is sleek and modern, making it a joy to use. No more hassle with converting files – ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. 🌟 Simplifying my reading routine – this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. 📚✨
Pop Bee
This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful.
Drop Stone
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Kill Switch
📱 Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! 📚🔥 Finally, an app that values usability – navigating and listening is a breeze! ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
Bit Sentinel
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream!
Energy
🎙️ Grocery shopping has taken an exciting turn – I'm on a mission to explore new worlds through audiobooks! 🛒📚 ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips.
Heartbreaker
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. ⭐️ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. 📚👏 The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle. Supports artwork and metadata perfectly. My library looks great!
Eerie Mizzen
No more hassle with converting files – ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook. The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy.
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