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The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class: Ayana Ndoum Takes the Stage by Kekla Magoon
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The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class: Ayana Ndoum Takes the Stage

$15.74

Available for pre-order
March 11, 2025

Narrator Sanya Simmons

This audiobook uses AI narration.

We’re taking steps to make sure AI narration is transparent.

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Length TBA
Language English
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Meet the kids in Mrs. Z’s wacky and wonderful third-grade class! Ayana Ndoum, who prefers blending into the background, will have to take center stage for the class variety show—but it's hard to concentrate on her talent when her embarrassing dad is volunteering at school, too!
 
Mrs. Z’s class is holding a variety show, and everyone has signed up to demonstrate their special skills! Everyone, that is, except Ayana Ndoum. She’s good at reading, but someone’s already reciting a poem. She’s good at synchronized swimming, but they can't get a pool onstage. What could her act be?

Before she can figure it out, she has an even bigger problem to deal with: Why is her dad at school?

Turns out her dad is a variety show volunteer! He talks to everyone and asks too many questions. It’s embarrassing for Ayana, who likes to be quiet and help from the sidelines. With her dad taking up the spotlight, will she ever find her own way to shine?
 
Both sweetly poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, with black-and-white illustrations by Pura Belpré Honor artist Kat Fajardo, Ayana’s story invites readers into Mrs. Z’s class where friendship and fun rule the school, from award-winning author Kekla Magoon.
 
Perfect for!
My Weirdtastic School fans
Reluctant readers
Classroom read-alouds
Andrew Clements fans
Quiet kids
Anyone who’s ever been embarrassed by a parent!
 
Read them all! The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class have plenty of stories to share!
Emma McKenna, Full out (#1)
Rohan Murthy Has a Plan (#2)
Poppy Song Bakes a Way (#3)
The Legend of Memo Castillo (#4)
Wyatt Hill Brings a Lizard to School (#5) — available for preorder now!
Ayana Ndoum Takes the Stage (#6) — available for preorder now!
Olive Little Gets Crafty (#7) — available for preorder now!
Synclaire Fields Knows the Score (#8) — available for preorder now!

*The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class is an innovative series where every book is written by a different all-star author and features a different kid in the same third-grade class. They can be read in any order!

Kekla Magoon is the author of many novels and nonfiction books for young readers, including The Season of Styx Malone, The Rock and the River, How It Went Down, and Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party's Promise to the People. She has received the Margaret A. Edwards Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, the John Steptoe New Talent Award, three Coretta Scott King Honors, the Walter Award Honor, an NAACP Image Award, and been a finalist for the National Book Award. Kekla conducts school and library visits nationwide and serves on the Writers’ Council for the National Writing Project. Kekla holds a B.A. from Northwestern University and an M.F.A. in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts, where she now serves on faculty. She invites you to visit her online at keklamagoon.com.
 
Kat Fajardo (they/she) received a Pura Belpré Honor for Illustration for their first graphic novel, Miss Quinces (published in Spanish as Srta. Quinces). Born and raised in New York City, Kat now lives in Austin, Texas, with their pups, Mac and Roni. They invite you to visit them at katfajardo.com.

Audiobook details

Author:

Narrator:
Sanya Simmons

ISBN:
9781668646595

Length:
TBA

Language:
English

Publisher:
Hachette Audio

Publication date:

Edition:
Unabridged

Illustration of person opening a gift

The perfect last-minute gift

Audiobook credit bundles can be delivered instantly, given worldwide, and support local bookstores!

Start gifting
Phone showing make the switch message

Limited-time offer

Get two free audiobooks!

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Reviews

* "A summertime romp filled with trouble-making, camaraderie, and substance."—School Library Journal, starred review (The Season of Styx Malone) * "Magoon (How It Went Down) crafts a novel that is genuinely funny, heartbreaking, and uplifting—extraordinary, in fact."—Publishers Weekly, starred review (The Season of Styx Malone) * "Magoon makes space for and celebrates the sensitive and solitary middle-grade readers who are happiest flying under the radar."—Shelf Awareness, starred review (Chester Keene Cracks The Code) "Engrossing and heartwarming; explores belonging, love, and forgiveness in families and friendships."—Kirkus Reviews (Chester Keene Cracks The Code) Praise for the Kids in Mrs. Z's Class Series
 
"Uplifting and encouraging." —Kirkus Reviews
 
“[A] wholesome read…buoyant.” —Publishers Weekly

“Buy the book and the series. Kids need access to this diverse classroom of students who face everyday crises with their supportive friends, and this gentle read shows the goodness in the world without being overly sappy.” —SLJ
 
"Believable characters experiencing age-appropriate challenges: making new friends, navigating social groups, overcoming shyness, and dealing with embarrassment. . . Share with fans of Annie Barrows' Ivy and Bean books or Sara Pennypacker's Clementine series." —Booklist

"This new series is giving [Polk Street School] vibes. I absolutely love that each book is written by a different author and I love how diverse the classroom is. . . The great thing about [these] books is they showcase kids working together and supporting each other." —Teen Librarian Toolbox
 
Praise for Kekla Magoon: Expand reviews
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