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Barbary  By  cover art

Barbary

By: Vonda N. McIntyre
Narrated by: Dina Pearlman
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Editorial reviews

If there's one thing kids can never get enough of, it's a good space story. Performed here by the veteran Dina Pearlman, with a serious yet perfectly engaging delivery, is the fun and mischievous story of young Barbary and her fuzzy, little secret. After a few failed attempts, Barbary gets the chance to travel to the orbital space station Einstein. Once there, however, she realizes that if the secret passenger she packed gets discovered, she will surely get sent back to Earth. Barbary, full of aliens, space travel, and high jinks, is a wild and fun ride perfect for any young listener.

Publisher's summary

Twelve-year-old Barbary is emigrating from Earth to Einstein, an orbital space station. Researchers and diplomats on board the station are preparing to meet the first alien spacecraft to visit the solar system. Barbary wants to stay with her new sister, Heather, and Heather's father Yoshi. But Barbary is keeping a secret, and if her secret is discovered, she could be sent back to Earth.

©1986 Vonda N. McIntyre (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Barbary

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meh

I am a big fan of Vonda McIntyre, but this is not her best work. its aimed at a YA audience but would work better for elementary school.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Sweet Youth/YA Sci-Fi

An enjoyable break from heavy topics,: reminded me of a simpler
version of a YA Heinlein novel.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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fun listen

this book was included with my audible subscription. the narrator was fantastic and the story very interesting. it may have been written in the 80's but it is still a great story. just wish it was longer

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Where Was This Book When I Was 12??

I would have loved this book when I was 12, but it hadn't been written yet! So happy I stumbled onto it as an adult.

Barbary is an orphan and is being transported to a space station to live with her foster family. She smuggles her cat on board the ship. "Mickey" is a believable cat; he's not the humanized or cartoon-type cat you might read about in a YA book....he's just a cat, and Barbary is a just a twelve year old girl. Despite the subject matter and surroundings, this is a totally plausible book and I really enjoyed it. It is suitable for all ages although there are about three cuss words (not the really bad ones though).

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9 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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two thumbs up

This is one of the best books I've listened to in a long while. Interesting and engaging for all ages!

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Definitely YA, but good!

I really love Vonda McIntyre‘s other works, so I thought I would give this one a try. While it was definitely for a younger audience, I found it extremely entertaining!

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6 people found this helpful

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Cats .... you have to love them

The story is beautiful and gives great details to the point you can all most see the stars... I would have loved a few more chapters ... to know how it all turns out ... but I don’t want to leave a spoilers in the review

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Book

I loved this book! This is a must read for anyone who likes cats! The characters are complex but the author doesn’t bore you with too many details. Her humor is well timed and flows well with the story. I hesitate to say too much since more details could lead to spoilers.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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very. sweet story

really enjoyed the story & narrator but wish it hadn't ended so soon. ☺ would like to have heard what happens next.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

I wish it was a little longer

This was a unique and interesting story. No spoilers but I wish there was a little bit more wrapping up at the end. A little bit more might have led into another book.

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1 person found this helpful