Samantha 0:00
Welcome back to creating joyful readers. Today we’re diving into a topic that sparks plenty of conversation in the literacy world. Are audiobooks really reading? Spoiler alert, they absolutely are. Whether you’re reading with your eyes or your ears, the heart of reading is comprehension, connection and storytelling. In this episode, I’ll break down why listening to audiobooks counts as reading backed by research and classroom experience. Plus, I’ll share some of my favorite YA audiobooks that will have you and your students hidden play again and again. So if you’ve ever felt a twinge of guilt or doubt about counting audiobooks as real reading, stick around. I’m here to bust that myth wide open and inspire you to bring the Joy of listening to your ELA Classroom.

Samantha 0:49
Welcome to Creating joyful readers a podcast dedicated to empowering secondary educators with the tools, strategies and inspiration to cultivate a lifelong love of reading in their students. I’m your host, Samantha. Tune in each week as we explore the transformative power of independent reading. Delve into the latest research on literacy, dissect projects that will help your students showcase what they’ve learned in a unique way, and share curated recommendations of young adult novels that will captivate and engage your learners. Join in as we embark on a journey to create joyful, lifelong readers, one book at a time.

Samantha 1:27
Let’s talk about why audiobooks absolutely count as reading, and why it’s important to shift the narrative around this. At its core, reading is about decoding, comprehension, and making meaning from words. Research shows that when we listen to an audiobook, our brains process language in much the same way as when we read text on a page. One influential study from the University of California at Berkeley used functional MRI scans to observe brain activity in people listening to audiobooks and reading the same material. The results? The same language processing areas of the brain lit up, showing that both formats engage critical comprehension centers. Another key point comes from Daniel Willingham, a cognitive scientist focused on education and literacy. He explains the primary difference between listening and reading lies in the decoding process, turning letters into sounds. But once the brain has decoded the language, it’s all about understanding the story. This is why audiobooks can be incredibly powerful for developing literacy skills, especially for struggling readers, students with dyslexia, or anyone who benefits from hearing the natural rhythm and cadence of a text. Audiobooks also offer opportunities for modeling fluent reading. Professional narrators bring to life to the text in ways that model expressive phrasing and annotation – skills that students can carry into their independent reading. Finally, audiobooks remove barriers. Students who feel overwhelmed by long blocks of text, or who need to focus their visual attention differently can experience the joy of reading without the anxiety. For many of our students, audio books become a pathway to deeper engagement and a lifelong love of stories. So whether you’re flipping pages or pressing play, reading is reading when comprehension, imagination, and empathy are happening. And when we give students permission to read in a way that works for them, we expand their ability to connect with stories in powerful ways.

Samantha 3:24
Let’s talk about a few ways you can use audiobooks in your classroom. First, the whole class read aloud with audiobooks. This is one I use all the time, especially with upper level text. Pair an audiobook with your whole class novel to enhance engagement. Play the audiobook as students follow along with their own copies. This helps model fluent reading and expressive tone, making it especially helpful for struggling readers. The combination of auditory and visual input reinforces comprehension and improves vocabulary acquisition. Here’s a tip, pause occasionally for think alouds or group discussions to reflect on key moments in the text. Number two, independent reading with audiobook options. Offer audiobooks as an option during independent reading time. Some students may feel more confident and connected to a story when they listen instead of reading visually. Platforms like Libby, Epic, or Audible make accessing audiobooks easier, and many public libraries have free options. Here’s a tip, create listening corners with headphones and devices to make it feel like a personalized experience. Here’s the third way you can use audiobooks in your classroom. Flipped classroom or homework assignments. Assign an audiobook chapter for homework instead of traditional reading assignments. This allows students to listen while commuting, exercising, or winding down at home. The accessibility of audiobooks ensures that students can still participate in discussions, even if they’re juggling a busy schedule. If your text is in the public domain, you can check YouTube to see if there are already chapters available for free. Number four: literature circles with audio support. Let students choose an audio book version of their literature circle book if it helps them stay on track with the reading schedule. Audio books can make longer texts feel more approachable and the professional narration can help students understand accents, dialects, or unfamiliar terms within the story. Number five: dramatic interpretation and writing inspiration. Use audiobook excerpts to model dramatic interpretation and voice. Students can listen to a particularly intense or descriptive scene and analyze how the narrator’s tone, pacing, and inflection impact the mood and theme. Then challenge students to write or record their own short audiobook scenes using what they learned about expressive reading.

Samantha 5:39
Now I’m going to give you a few of my favorite YA audiobooks. First is Truly Devious, by Maureen Johnson. Ellingham Academy, a school for gifted students, is haunted by an infamous cold case involving the kidnapping of its founder’s family and a cryptic riddle signed Truly Devious. True Crime enthusiast Stevie Bell arrives determined to solve the mystery, but when the past resurfaces with new murders she finds herself in the middle of a deadly puzzle. Truly Devious was one of my first forays into the world of audiobooks, and the narrator, Kate Rudd, remains one of my favorites. The way she reads the letters with such knowing snark had me laughing throughout all 10 hours and 12 minutes of the book. I enjoy this on audio so much that now, when Maureen Johnson puts out new Stevie Bell books, I cannot read them. I have to listen. This one is for grades nine and up. Number two is Promise Boys by Nick Brooks. When the principal of Urban Promise prep is murdered, students JB, Ramon, and Trey become prime suspects due to their means, motive, and potential access to the weapon. As they work together to prove their innocence and find the real killer, they must confront the unsettling possibility that the murderer may be one of their own. I was absolutely enthralled for this book. It’s six hours and 30 minutes. It accompanied me on a long car drive, and I didn’t feel like any time had passed at all. This was one of my first experiences with full cast audio books, and if you haven’t listened to one yet, you are in for a real treat. Between all of the narrators and the sound effects, it feels like you’re inside of a movie. It’s really cool. Grades nine and up. Number three is A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. Five years after the murder of Andy Bell, Pip, a skeptical High School senior re examines the case for school project convinced that accused boyfriend, Sal Singh was innocent. As she uncovers dark secrets that challenge the town’s narrative, Pip realizes someone dangerous is determined to keep the truth buried no matter the cost. I had to include this one because not only did I personally enjoy it, but it was consistently a student favorite. It’s also full cast audio, and even at 10 hours and 53 minutes I never heard anyone complain that it was too long. Since this is such a fast paced story, and the audio is so well done, it’s really a slam dunk for students. This is also grades nine and up. Next is Sadie by Courtney Summers. After her sister maddie’s murder, Sadie embarks on a dangerous quest for revenge, determined to find the killer. Meanwhile, radio host Wes McRae becomes captivated by her story and launches a podcast to trace her steps, hoping to uncover the truth before tragedy strikes again. This is another one that absolutely sold me on audiobooks. It was one of the first ones I listened to. It’s about eight and a half hours long, but again, it did not feel that long at all. It’s also full cast audio. But not only that, but you get to hear different formats as well. So the audio book includes a lot of podcast interviews, and getting to listen to them as you hear the story is really immersive. This is definitely mature YA and deals with some very sensitive material so I probably limit it to grades 11 and up. Number five is Fire Keeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley. Daunis Fonatine’s plans for college are derailed by family tragedy and a budding romance with a mysterious hockey player, Jamie. When she witnesses a murder and is recruited by the FBI to go undercover in a drug investigation, Daunis must navigate hidden truths, cultural identity, and her loyalty to her community as the stakes and the body count rise. Let me forewarn you, this audiobook is very long, and you certainly feel all 14 hours and 13 minutes of it. Isabella star LeBlanc does a beautiful job of narrating, but alas, it is quite lengthy. I’m including it here because it showcases a really wonderful way to be able to explore another culture and do it in an authentic way. I didn’t know anything about the Ojibwe tribe before listening to this, and not only did I get to learn, but I also got to hear how the words are really pronounced, and that alone makes it worth giving a listen. This one is also probably grades 11 and up. Number six is Ghost by Jason Reynolds. Ghost, a naturally talented but untrained sprinter, joins an elite middle school track team with hopes of proving himself despite being haunted by a traumatic past. With the guidance of his tough yet compassionate coach, ghost must learn to stop running from his problems and channel his speed toward a better future. Really, anything by Jason Reynolds is going to be a slam dunk as an audio book, especially if he is the one narrating it. But I had to include ghosts, because even though it’s a middle grade novel, and I don’t usually include a lot of middle grade novels, I enjoy this series so much, even as an adult reader. This installment is the first in the track series, and it is narrated by Guy Lockard. This is a short novel at just three hours and 29 minutes long. These novels cement why Jason Reynolds is at the top of so many book lists. He’s effortlessly funny. And these stories are not only engaging, but they’re incredibly heartfelt. Most of the guidance says grades five and up on the series, but I enjoyed them so much, even as an adult. So if you have a high schooler who’s maybe on a lower reading level, or you really need to engage them, this series would be a great suggestion.

Samantha 10:44
Today, we explored why audio books are absolutely real reading backed by research that shows how listening engages the same comprehension processes as traditional reading. We also discussed practical ways to bring audio books into your classroom, from whole class read alouds to independent reading and literature circles. Plus, I shared some of my favorite YA audiobooks, like Truly Devious and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and why they’re perfect for engaging students and maybe even you. Whether you’re flipping pages or pressing play, I hope this episode encourages you to embrace the magic of audiobooks and create more joyful reading experiences in your classroom.

Samantha 11:18
If this episode inspired you to bring audio books into your classroom, try adding an audio book option to your next reading assignment and see how your students respond. Don’t forget to share your experience with me on social media. I’d love to hear how audiobooks are creating joyful readers in your classroom. Until next time happy listening, which is also really reading.

Samantha 11:40
Thanks for tuning in to creating joyful readers. I hope you found inspiration and practical strategies to ignite a passion for reading in your students. Remember every book we introduce and every reading experience we foster can transform lives and help students become lifelong readers. Follow me on social media at Samantha in Secondary for more tips book recommendations and to connect with a community of educators dedicated to making reading a joyful journey. Until next time happy reading.