e-Audio, 06:29:14
Narrated by: Nile Bullock, Mekhi Hewling, Jade Williams, Brandon Miles, Ryan Vincent Anderson, Amir Royale, Jasmin Richardson, Christopher Grant, Khaya Fraites, Nadine Simmons, Robb Moreira, We Ani, Rocky Anicette, & Brandiss Seward
Release Date: June 3, 2025
Published by: Listening Library
Read from: June 1-2, 2025
Stand-alone
Source: PRH Audio App (I received a free e-ALC from the publisher’s app. This did nothing to influence my review.)
Content Warning: Cursing, Domestic Abuse, Child Death, Gun Violence, Death of a Parent
For Readers Interested In: Music, Contemporary, Sparkly Covers, MG, Most Anticipated, Racial/Ethnic Diversity#1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds transports us back to the early 2000s in Soundtrack, an audiobook original about New York City teens whose talent and love of music lift them to unexpected heights.
Stuy wanted to play the drums just like his mom, a founding member of the punk band The Bed-Stuy Magic Dusters. With his mother as his teacher, Stuy starts busking in the subway with his friends Dunks, Alexis, Keith, and Frankie under the name Soundtrack. To everyone’s surprise, including their own, they become an underground sensation, and their success changes the course of their lives.
Read by a full cast and with an original score by Grammy-winning composer Justin Ellington, award-winning author Jason Reynolds shows us a found family coming of age in a wonderfully complex city.
Cast
Nile Bullock as Stuy
Mekhi Hewling as Dunks
Jade Williams as Keith
Brandon Miles as Alexis
Ryan Vincent Anderson as Uncle Lucky
Amir Royale as Frankie
Jasmin Richardson as Stuy’s Mom
Christopher Grant as Dom
Khaya Fraites as Ashley
Nadine Simmons as Mrs. Dyson
Robb Moreira as Mr. Garcia
Wé Ani as Lisa
Rocky Anicette as Dylan
Brandiss Seward as Frankie’s Mom
with Siho Ellsmore, Tyrell Buckner, Gina Daniels, Karen Murray, Jonathan Beville, and Karla Moore
*MY THOUGHTS*
This was so much fun! But what did you expect? It’s Jason Reynolds! I’m never going to pass up on a Jason Reynolds read, I don’t even have to know what it’s about. And this was one of those times.
And let me tell you, even just blindly reading everything written by him, I have yet to be disappointed. And this one is no different. This was a short story that i got so lost in. The setting is the underground entrance to the trains. That’s where they play their shows. I loved that so much! I would never be able to play like that. Yes I was in band, but it was a full band. Not a couple of my friends playing in the subway. I was so impressed and I loved it so much!
Since this was an audiobook special, it had all the things and it was amazing. I LOVED it. This was more of an experience and less of an audiobook lol There were special effects, sound effects, and everything. It really was so much fun! And this isn’t even touching the way the narrators were acting their butts off too! That’s why I said this was more of an experience because you’re completely immersed in this story on every single part of this.
The plot was what got me tho. Because Jason, why would you end this like that? I was cool, chilling, listening to the book while I work, and next thing I know, my eyes were raining? Like WHAT THE HECK?! I mean I caught the foreshadowing, but I still wasn’t prepared. This story was so good that I stopped listening for note taking like I usually do for a coherent review and ended up just enjoying what I was listening to. Another big win from Jason Reynolds.
I will say this every time its applicable. This was so much fun and I hope everyone who picks it up and enjoys it just as much as I did. It really is a story for the ages. I think this one will be the book that I recommend to people all summer. No matter what age. Because this is definitely one EVERYONE can enjoy!
Overall, I give this
