• Playing the Cards You’re Dealt by Varian Johnson, Read by Dion Graham

    Lively, Fun, and Heartwarming Middle-Grade Listening

    Every Monday through Friday, AudioFile’s editors recommend the best in audiobook listening. We keep our daily episodes short and sweet, with audiobook clips to give you a sample of our featured listens.

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    Dion Graham makes every audiobook he narrates into a special event, and his charisma just overflows in Playing the Cards You’re Dealt, a book Ant, a 10-year-old boy from South Carolina. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Varian Johnson’s newest middle-grade audiobook about Ant’s obsession with winning the community’s spades tournament—and getting his father’s hard-won approval despite changes at home. When Ant’s best friend and spades partner is grounded, he finds an unexpected partner in Shirley, the new girl in school. Graham imbues each character with personality, but the standout is his vivid portrayal of the omniscient narrator watching Ant’s struggles.

    To listen to the whole archive of Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine, subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or wherever else you find your favorite podcasts.

    Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic Podcast comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of bestselling and award-winning books and audiobooks by fantastic writers and narrators.

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    Behind the Mic
    Behind the Mic
    Every Monday through Friday, AudioFile Editors recommend the best in audiobook listening. All in 6 minutes or less. It’s short, sweet, and just what your ears need.





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