“Fifth-grader Miata Ramirez and her running mate, Ana, decide to challenge class clown Rudy and his friend, Alex, for the office of student body president. Barrie Kreinik’s capable narration of this school tale pleases as she smoothly transitions from unobtrusive narrative to original portrayals of determined Miata, shy Ana, brash Rudy, and his cutup sidekick, Alex. This production offers an engaging look at school politics and the quest for popularity, along with the dynamics of boy/girl relationships…Whether bringing to life the story’s lively dialogue or weaving in Spanish expressions that create the children’s everyday world, Kreinik makes the most of Soto’s engaging story.” —AudioFile
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- Off and Running
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By Gary Soto
Read by Barrie Kreinik
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Release Date: 8/01/13
Formats: Digital Audy
Fifth-grader Miata Ramirez is running for class president. Her best friend, Ana, is her running mate. The girls are stunned when they learn they are running against class clown Rudy Herrera and his friend Alex. At first Miata is certain she will win the election. She has big plans to make the school a better place. She'll clean up the graffiti, plant flowers and trees, and get computers. Rudy is confident he'll get the votes by promising longer recess periods and selling the students ice cream every day. Who will come out on top?
- Off and Running
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By Gary Soto
Read by Barrie Kreinik
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Release Date: 8/01/13
Formats: Digital Audy
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- Accidental Love
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By Gary Soto
Read by Barrie Kreinik
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Release Date: 5/01/13
Formats: Digital Audy
It all starts when Marisa picks up the wrong cell phone. When she returns it to Rene, she feels curiously drawn to him. But Marisa and Rene aren't exactly a match made in heaven. For one thing, Marisa is a chola; she's a lot of girl, and she's not ashamed of it. Skinny Rene gangles like a sackful of elbows and wears a calculator on his belt. In other words, he's a geek. So why can't Marisa stay away from him?
- Accidental Love
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By Gary Soto
Read by Barrie Kreinik
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Release Date: 5/01/13
Formats: Digital Audy
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- So Hard to Say
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By Alex Sanchez
Read by Barrie Kreinik and August Ross
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Release Date: 12/01/12
Formats: Digital Audy
Frederick is the shy new boy in school, and Xio is the bubbly chica who lends him a pen on the first day of class. They become fast friends—but when Xio decides she wants to be more than friends, Frederick isn’t so sure. He loves hanging out with Xio and her crew, but he doesn’t like her in that way. Instead he finds himself thinking more and more about Victor, the captain of the soccer team. But does that mean Frederick is gay? He hopes not—he sees how everyone makes fun of Iggy, a boy all the other kids think is gay. Frederick has to deal with some tough choices: even though he is curious about Iggy, he has just started fitting in at his new school, and he doesn’t want to lose Xio, his best friend.
In So Hard to Say, Alex Sanchez, acclaimed author of the groundbreaking novels Rainbow High and Rainbow Boys, of which School Library Journal said, “It can open eyes and change lives,” helps younger readers look at self-discovery, come to terms with being gay, and accept people who are different from them.
- So Hard to Say
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By Alex Sanchez
Read by Barrie Kreinik and August Ross
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Release Date: 12/01/12
Formats: Digital Audy