The Odyssey Award is presented to the producer of the best audiobook produced for youth available in English in the United States.

2009 Award Audio Book:

THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN (Book, eBook, Book on CD)
by Sherman Alexie
With equal doses of humor and pathos, Sherman Alexie’s lilting narration places listeners squarely in 14-year-old Spokane Indian Arnold Spirit’s shoes as he expands his world beyond the reservation to attend a predominantly white high school. Alexie’s pitch-perfect voicing and dead-on pacing capture Arnold’s struggles.

2009 Honor Audio Books:

CURSE OF THE BLUE TATTOO: BEING AN ACCOUNT OF THE MISADVENTURES OF JACKY FABER, MIDSHIPMAN AND FINE LADY (Book and Audio eBook)
by L.A. Meyer
Versatile narrator Katherine Kellgren takes feisty, seafaring Mary “Jacky” Faber on an ill-fated voyage to become a lady as Jacky stretches her sea legs at an elite Boston finishing school in this humorous and melodramatic sequel to Bloody Jack, a 2008 Odyssey Award Honor title.

ELIJAH OF BUXTON (Book and Book on CD)
by Christopher Paul Curtis
Mirron Willis’ enthralling, richly authentic narration of Christopher Paul Curtis’ award-winning novel transports listeners to a historic Canadian settlement of former slaves as 11-year-old Elijah Freeman confronts the realities of slavery. 

I'M DIRTY! (Book and Book on CD)
by Kate & Jim McMullan
Jaunty music, energetic background sounds, and Steve Buscemi’s rollicking narration enliven Kate and Jim McMullan’s vibrant picture book about a dirt-loving backhoe loader.

MARTINA THE BEAUTIFUL COCKROACH: A CUBAN FOLKTALE (Book only)
retold by Carmen Agra Deedy
Storyteller Carmen Agra Deedy brings spirited wit and cultural touches to her retelling of the traditional Cuban tale of Martina’s quest to find a husband.

NATION (Book and Audio eBook)
by Terry Pratchett
Narrator Stephen Briggs’ crisp, precise British narration artfully enhances Terry Pratchett’s survival story focusing on 13-year-old Mau and British teen Daphne, the sole survivors of a tsunami.

MORE ODYSSEY AWARD WINNERS

For more information, please visit the Odyssey Awards Web site.