Every Hidden Thing

Gr 9 Up—Teenagers Rachel and Samuel are both the children of paleontologists who find themselves embroiled in a serious rivalry when their fathers both embark on expeditions to discover a massive dinosaur. This quest takes their families on a dangerous adventure to the badlands of Nebraska. The teens are meant to spy on each other for their fathers' respective gains, but this time alone encourages a budding romance. This Western thriller, sprinkled with sweet moments and interesting scientific tidbits, is a wonderful example of historical fiction done right. The story particularly shines in audiobook format thanks to the alternating first-person voices of Rachel and Samuel, performed by Whitney Dykhouse and Jake Mate. Mate exudes the confidence and charisma that comprise much of Samuel's personality, while Dykhouse successfully captures Rachel's intelligence and resentment of her circumstances and the restrictions she faces as a young woman in the 19th century.