2012 Winner
Listening Library, an imprint of Random House Audio Publishing Group, Random House, Inc., producer of the audiobook, Rotters, has won the 2012 Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production.
In Rotters, written by Daniel Kraus, narrated by Kirby Heyborne and produced by Listening Library, an imprint of Random House Audio Publishing Group, Random House, Inc, Heyborne’s versatile character voicing animates the strange tale of Joey, a 16-year-old whose mother has died. His struggle begins as he is dropped into the isolated world of his father, a grave robber. The exquisite timing pulls us through the chilling story of the destruction and rebuilding of Joey’s personality.
Odyssey Award Committee Chair, Lizette D. Hannegan, said, “Kirby Heyborne performs this visceral, grotesque and tender story with authentic emotion. The themes will appeal to teens, making this audio a gripping listening experience.”
2012 Honor Recordings
Ghetto Cowboy, written by G. Neri, narrated by JD Jackson and produced by Brilliance Audio.
Twelve-year-old Cole grows from near-delinquent to responsible teen and passionate horseman as he helps his father and the cowboys save their endangered stables in inner-city Philadelphia. Neri’s captivating tale, inspired by real-life black urban cowboys, resonates in Jackson’s rich baritone performance.
Okay for Now, written by Gary D. Schmidt, narrated by Lincoln Hoppe and produced by Listening Library, an imprint of Random House Audio Publishing Group, Random House, Inc.
Doug’s miserable life includes a new town and a dysfunctional family until the works of Audubon help him see that his life might just be “okay.” Narrator Hoppe wears this audiobook like Doug’s beloved baseball jacket and his empathetic performance echoes long after the last word.
The Scorpio Races, written by Maggie Stiefvater, narrated by Steve West and Fiona Hardingham and produced by Scholastic Inc., Scholastic Audiobooks.
The stakes are high for Sean and Puck in their islands’ annual race of savage water horses. Narrators West and Hardingham’s lyrical narration evokes the atmosphere of a rugged island culture forever bound to fearsome mythical creatures.
Young Fredle, written by Cynthia Voigt, narrated by Wendy Carter and produced by Listening Library, an imprint of Random House Audio Publishing Group, Random House, Inc.
Carter captures all the curiosity, fear and delight of young Fredle, as listeners follow the mouse’s adventures both inside and outside the house. Voigt’s gentle and heartwarming story features cats, dogs, raccoons and owls, all brought to fine characterization through Carter’s spectacular performance.
Members of the 2012 Odyssey Award Committee are: Chair Lizette D. Hannegan, Easton, Md.; Carrie Scott Banks, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Public Library; Kate Capps, Olathe (Kan.) Public Library – Indian Creek Branch; Viola Dyas, Oakland, Calif.; Cathy Lichtman, Plymouth (Mich.) District Library; Barbara Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, N.Y.; Jennifer R. Sommer, Wright Memorial Public Library, Dayton, Ohio; Beatriz Pascual Wallace, Seattle Public Library; and Sue-Ellen Beauregard, consultant, Booklist Magazine, Chicago.
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