Summer Reading List: Top Audiobooks for Kids with ADHD

Matilda, written by Roald Dahl and narrated by Kate Winslet, is a beloved classic that features terrible teachers, brilliant children, humor, and even a bit of magic. Despite her superpowers, Matilda must overcome her oppressive parents and a monstrous school head, Ms. Trunchbull. Winslet's dulcet and expressive tones bring the story to life with an energetic and warm performance.

Jim Dale narrates J.K Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and his incredible voice acting brings the Potter-verse to life. Dale's work in children's literature has earned him 10 Audie awards, 23 Earphone awards, and an MBE from the Queen of England. He created 200 distinct character voices for the Harry Potter series, which he recorded over eight years. This audiobook is perfect for introducing children to the magical world of Harry Potter.

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling features Aven Green, a 13-year-old girl born without arms, who moves to Arizona with her family to manage a run-down theme park. Aven's limb difference leads to questions, but she unexpectedly finds friendship with Connor, who has Tourette's Syndrome. Together, they uncover a mystery in the theme park. Karissa Vacker's bouncy and conversational narration, combined with humorous and heartfelt writing, makes this novel a perfect choice for readers who have differences of their own.

From the Desk of Zoe Washington, written by Janae Marks and narrated by Bahni Turpin, tells the story of Zoe's quest to discover the truth about her father's unjust imprisonment. Zoe has never met her father, but when he sends her a letter claiming his innocence, she sets out to prove it. Turpin, who was recently named Narrator of the Year by Audible and inducted into its Narrator Hall of Fame, brings this fast-paced story to life.

Save Me A Seat, co-written by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan and narrated by Josh Hurley and Vikas Adam, features two fifth graders, Joe and Ravi, with very different backgrounds. Joe has auditory processing disorder and struggles socially, while Ravi feels like an outsider because his family has recently moved from India. They discover they have more in common than they thought when they unite against a school bully. The lively narration and alternating voices of the two narrators add extra stimulation for readers.

The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste is a spooky tale based on a Haitian folktale. Corinne La Mer unleashes a dangerous force upon her town after entering the local forbidden forest, home to the jumbies. Her bravery and magic are needed to stop Severine, who wants to take over Haiti for the jumbies. Narrator Robin Miles, who has narrated over 300 books, captivates readers with her suspenseful and lyrical narration.

Cornelia Funke's Inkheart, narrated by Lynn Redgrave, is the first in a trilogy featuring mystical, dangerous characters who come to life from the book that Meggie is reading. Adventure, mystery, and heart abound in this must-read fantasy for listeners. Redgrave's legendary talent from stage and screen adds an extra touch of magic to this enchanting story.

Maxwell Glick narrates Jennifer Holm's novel, which features two very different fifth graders, in Save Me A Seat. Joe suffers from auditory processing disorder, while Ravi is an outsider because of his family's recent move from India. When they unite against a school bully, they discover they have more in common than they thought. The alternating voices of the two narrators and lively narration make for an exciting and engaging listen.

What’s life like on Mars? Find out in The Lion of Mars — Jennifer Holm’s vivacious novel about Bell, an 11-year-old who’s spent his whole life on the red planet, where life is surprisingly similar to, and also vastly different from, the life of Earth-dwelling readers. When a virus causes all the grownups to become sick, Bell and the other kids have to rise to the challenge of uncovering the truth behind some big secrets and saving the planet in the process. A fun, energetic reading by Maxwell Glick makes it even more difficult to resist the book’s charms.

This critically acclaimed book by Newbery-Award-winning novelist Lauren Wolk unfolds during the Great Depression, when dire financial straits force Ellie and her family out of town and into the countryside of Echo Mountain. Disaster strikes when Ellie’s father is left comatose by a terrible accident, one for which Ellie is blamed. In order to save him, Ellie must enlist the help of a frightening but powerful woman known as “the hag” who lives on the mountain. An emotional reading by narrator Holly Linneman will leave young readers rapt.

The year is 1968 and 11-year-old Delphine is traveling across the country with her two little sisters to visit the mother who abandoned them years ago. Delphine’s hopes of a happy reunion are dashed by the reality of her mother’s cold and disinterested reception — until the girls attend a Black Panther rally that changes their mother’s approach. With Sisi Aisha Johnson’s dynamic narration, One Crazy Summer, a National Book Award finalist and Newbery Honor book, will transport kids across time, tug at their heartstrings, and make them beg to keep listening.

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Tell any reluctant reader that it’s time to tackle summer reading and you’ll endure groans, moans, and major eye rolls. Though it’s sold as “fun and stimulating,” summer reading is anything but for many readers with ADHD and learning differences. For these kids, who dread cracking open a hardcover, audiobooks may be the secret to unlocking summer growth.

Audiobooks can build and bolster reading skills for a wide range of kids, a fact supported by research. A recent study published in the Journal of Neuroscience mapped the brains of participants while they listened to content vs. read it in print, and it found the brain responded the same way to the content, regardless of its format.

For kids with dyslexia who struggle to decode books with grade-level content, audiobooks offer the ability to access more sophisticated (and often more engaging) writing, which strengthens reading abilities and nurtures an interest in books. For some kids with ADHD who find sitting still and attending to the page tedious, an audiobook can provide just the right kind of stimulation and motivation.

Not all audiobooks are created equal, though. So, we’ve amassed a list of 10 amazing middle grade audiobooks that combine attention-grabbing voice talent with attention-keeping story lines and characters. While the books span genres — from fantasy to historical fiction and everything in between — what they all have in common is engaging writing and narration that will pull reluctant readers right in and keep them hooked.