How are you going to pass the time on the long car ride to the beach or the plane trip to see relatives? You can annoy your younger siblings for only so long before your parents get peeved. So why not put on your headphones or earbuds (but watch the volume, please) and listen to some books on CD (or download).

Public libraries have great selections for listening. We list some favorites here, a few that are so good everyone in the car might enjoy listening:

• “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” by Kate DiCamillo

Read by Judith Ivey

1 hour 56 minutes

Age 7 and older

This story tells the tale of a toy rabbit who is separated from his owner and goes on an epic journey before finding his way home.

l”The Homework Machine,” by Dan Gutman

Read by various narrators

3 hours 7 minutes

Age 8 and older

What happens when a fifth-grade computer genius invents a machine that can do all his homework for him? The results might not be what you expect!

• “Shakespeare’s Secret,” by Elise Broach

Read by Jennifer Ikeda

5 hours 31 minutes

Age 10 and older

This story involving a 500-year-old necklace, a missing $1 million diamond and the Bard will delight fans of mysteries and historical fiction.

• “Wind in the Willows,” by Kenneth Grahame

Read by Marilyn Langbehn

5 hours 22 minutes

Age 7 and older

Mole, Rat, Toad and Badger take on human roles in this classic tale that’s great for the whole family.

• “Heat,” by Mike Lupica

Read by Paolo Andino

6 hours 14 minutes

Age 9 and older

Twelve-year-old Michael Arroyo’s dreams of playing in the Little League World Series are jeopardized when he’s accused of being older than he says he is.

• “Redwall,” by Brian Jacques

Read by Stuart Blinder

12 hours 38 minutes

Age 8 and older

The first in the epic series about the animals of Redwall Abbey. You could listen to the entire series on a cross-country trip!