Motivating guys to be curious about words, books, and life!
WHY IS LISTENING IMPORTANT?
Rose Brock and
Jon Scieszka in the
recording studio
“Motivating boys to tune into a fictional story or nonfiction work is at the heart of the GUYS LISTEN project. For some, choosing to listen to an audiobook rather than flipping through book pages will be more interesting, more rewarding, and even more educational."–Rose Brock
Rose Brock is Media Library Specialist at Coppell Middle School West in Coppell, Texas. Her years of working in the learning environment have given her a special understanding of boys' needs. She works very closely with Jon Scieszka on GUYS READS efforts and has been one of the champion forces behind the launch of GUYS LISTEN.
Much has been written about boys and literacy, and national attention has been given to many studies where the findings confirm that young males lag behind their female counterparts in reading. In fact, eighth grade boys are 50% more likely to be held back than girls. Educators, librarians, researchers and parents are concerned about the future reading habits of our nation's boys. So is Jon Scieszka, National Ambassador of Literature for Young People. But instead of being intimidated by these statistics, Scieszka decided to do some research of his own. He went out and talked to boys. What did he discover? That boys do read but maybe not enough and not exactly what the teacher assigned.
MORE…
These conversations led Jon Scieszka, bestselling author of The Stinky Cheese Man, The Timewarp Trio, and the Trucktown Series, to begin the national literacy initiative GUYS READ. His mission is clear—he wants to entice guys of all ages to become readers by letting them choose what they want to read and expanding the traditional definition of reading to now include: nonfiction, comics, comic strips, graphic novels, humor, magazines, newspapers, and online text. In addition, the goal of this project is to provide boys with role models for reading at home and at school and to encourage boys to recommend books to other boys.
As GUYS READ evolves, boys continue to contribute their ideas of what reading is to them. For many, audiobooks are seen as an appealing, alternative format to printed books. Because audiobooks provide a favorable option for boys, the GUYS READ literacy project is expanding to include GUYS LISTEN. The mission of GUYS LISTEN is to promote literacy by focusing on the art of listening. Allowing guys to "plug in" to experience great stories will motivate them to enjoy novels and literature they may have been unwilling to try out before. Audiobooks are an ideal medium for all boys, whether they are reluctant readers or voracious ones, especially the 30% of guys who are auditory learners.
Enticing boys to tune into a fictional story or nonfiction work is at the heart of the GUYS LISTEN project. For some, choosing to listen to an audiobook rather than flipping through book pages will be more interesting, more rewarding, and even more educational. Audiobooks make guys focus on listening, which strengthens their processing of auditory information and lengthens their attention spans.
Plus, audiobooks provide good reading role models and through this model of fluid phrasing and cadence, guys will be assisted in their comprehension. Supporting listening as a valid educational experience can help move guys down a path where literacy and achievement will come together to bridge the gender gap that currently exists in reading.
GUYS LISTEN will build on the successful foundation of GUYS READ. Through the Guys Listen site boys of all ages will have a place to explore new possibilities in the world of listening. Most importantly, guys will be encouraged to take risks by embracing both written words and spoken words. And that's what this is all about...motivating guys to be curious about words, books, and life.
GUYS READ and
GUYS LISTEN are literacy programs encouraging boys
to appreciate books and reading of all kinds.
By embracing technology… encouraging choice…and expanding the traditional definition of reading you
can help boys become self-motivated,
lifelong readers.
Visit guysread.com
The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity
by Mac Barnett
The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity
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The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity
Author: Mac Barnett
Narrator: Arte Johnson
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Steve Brixton always wanted to be a detective . . .
until he found out
he already was one.
It all starts here: the thrilling story of Steve Brixton’s first case. Our hero has a national treasure to recover, a criminal mastermind to unmask, and a social studies report due Monday—all while on the run from cops, thugs, and secret-agent librarians.
Just another day
for a kid detective.
"The boy detective novel is back with Mac Barnett's tongue-in-cheek homage to the Hardy Boys mysteries. Arte Johnson is spot-on as narrator. His serious, straightforward delivery adds just the right leavening to this funny and entertaining story.”—AudioFile
"Arte Johnson gives Steve’s predicament a matter-of-fact, almost sardonic tone, with methodical pacing and understatement that provides listeners with laugh-out-loud enjoyment of this wholly improbable story. Fans will also enjoy the other titles in this series.”—School Library Journal
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The Fast and the Furriest
by Andy Behrens
The Fast and the Furriest
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The Fast and the Furriest
Author: Andy Behrens
Narrator: Sean Runnette
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Meet Kevin Pugh, 12-year-old couch potato. Now meet Cromwell, his part beagle, part potato chip dog. Kevin’s looking forward to spending his summer doing as little as possible. Unfortunately, Kevin’s father, former Chicago Bears star player/super-sports fanatic, Howie Pugh, feels differently. So does Cromwell, who has suddenly and mysteriously developed a fascination with agility competitions: running up seesaws, leaping over hurdles, soaring through hoops (sometimes). If he has to do anything, Kevin would rather do something for newly obsessed Cromwell, but dog agility lessons do not constitute a sport in his father’s mind, so football camp it is. Until some well-timed events collide, literally, and soon Kevin’s found a way for he and Cromwell to take classes, and the upstart Team Cromwell is born.
Andy Behrens has written a hilarious novel with a dry-as-dirt protagonist who’s constantly tortured by the goings-on around him. It’s also a charming story about a boy and his dog, as well as a meaningful and heartfelt look at a relationship between a boy and his father who don’t always see eye-to-eye.
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Lunch Money
by Andrew Clements
Lunch Money
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Lunch Money
Author: Andrew Clements
Narrator: John H. Mayer
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Greg had started looking around the cafeteria, and everywhere he looked, he saw quarters. He saw kids trading quarters for ice cream sandwiches and cupcakes and cookies at the dessert table. He saw kids over at the school store trading quarters for neon pens and sparkly pencils, and for the little decorations like rubber soccer balls and plastic butterflies to stick onto the ends of those new pencils…. There were quarters all over the place, buckets of them.
At that moment Greg’s view of school changed completely and forever. School had suddenly become the most interesting place on the planet. Because young Greg Kenton had decided that school would be an excellent place to make his fortune.
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Sideways Stories from the Wayside School
by Louis Sachar
Sideways Stories from the Wayside School
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Sideways Stories from the Wayside School
Author: Louis Sachar
Narrator: Louis Sachar
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SIDEWAYS STORIES FROM WAYSIDE SCHOOL–You can imagine the confusion at Wayside School when the builder made a terrible mistake. Instead of building 30 classrooms side-by-side, he built them one on top of another. Maybe that accounts for the wacky goings-on in Mrs. Jewls' class. Where else will you find children being turned into apples, dead rats wearing raincoats, and little girls who try to sell their toes?
WAYSIDE SCHOOL IS FALLING DOWN– The teacher pushes the new computer out of the window–what's going on here? It's just a lesson on the laws of gravity. As the outrageous fun continues, the 29 children up on the 30th floor engage in one adventure after another, changing the school routine into something that is far from normal.
WAYSIDE SCHOOL GETS A LITTLE STANGER– It’s been 243 days since Wayside School has been open for classes. It’s taken that long to rid the place of all traces of the cows. When the students finally do return, you can bet all the craziness is back too, including a very strange counselor called Dr. Pickle who has a warped sense of humor. The really big surprises come when Mrs. Jewls leaves to have her baby and the kids get some wacky substitute teachers.
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Just So Stories
by Rupert Kipling
Just So Stories
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Just So Stories
Author: Rupert Kipling
Narrator: Jim Weiss
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How did the leopard get its spots? These entertaining stories, drawn from the tales Kipling's Indian nurses told to him, answer this question -- and many more! Kipling created the enchantment of the dawn of the world, when animals could talk and think like people. The laziness of the Camel, the curiosity of the Elephant Child, the cleverness of the hedgehog, the confusions of the Painted Jaguar and all the rest of Kipling's delightful menagerie come alive in this memorable narrative.
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Mojo
by Tim Tharp
Mojo
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Mojo
Author: Tim Tharp
Narrator: Jesse Bernstein
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All Dylan wants is mojo. What is mojo? It's power. The ability to command respect. It's everything Dylan doesn't have. He gets no respect at school, and when he finds the dead body of a classmate, even the police push him around. All the thanks he gets for trying to help the investigation with his crime drama skills is a new nickname at school: Body Bag. So when Dylan hears about a missing rich girl from the other side of town, he jumps at the chance to dive into this mystery. Surely if he cracks a case involving a girl this beautiful and this rich, he'll get not only a hefty cash reward, but the mojo he's looking for.
His investigation takes him into the world of an elite private high school and an underground club called Gangland. As Dylan—along with his loyal friends Audrey and Randy—falls down the rabbit hole, lured by the power of privilege, he begins to lose himself. And the stakes of the game keep getting higher.
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The Kid Who Only Hit Homers
by Matt Christopher
The Kid Who Only Hit Homers
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The Kid Who Only Hit Homers
Author: Matt Christopher
Narrator: Various
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Who is the mysterious Mr. Baruth?
Sylvester loved baseball, but he wasn't what you'd call a good hitter. he had already decided against joining the Redbirds when he met George Baruth. "I'm going to help you become one of the best players ever," the mysterious man promised. Before long Sylvester was hitting home runs every time he was at bat. But how will he answer some of the difficult questions that people start asking about his amazing new talent?
“A first-rate production. Listeners will find the changing voices easy to follow and delight in their variety. A good choice to keep kids in the back seat tuned-in.”—AudioFile
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Rivalry
by John Feinstein
Rivalry
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Rivalry
Author: John Feinstein
Narrator: John Feinstein
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Bestselling writer John Feinstein is back with another exciting sports-mystery, this one set behind the scenes at the storied Army-Navy football game.
Teen sportswriters Stevie Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson are thrilled to be covering "America's Game." The Black Knights of Army and the Midshipmen of Navy have met on the football field since 1890, and it's a rivalry like no other, filled with tradition. But this year, the match-up is also filled with intrigue.
For weeks, Stevie and Susan Carol have been spending time at Annapolis and West Point, getting to know the players, and coaches. And the secret service agents. Since the president will be attending the game, security will, of course, be tighter than tight. As the game draws nearer Stevie and Susan Carol can tell that the agents are getting tenser.
But as usual when Stevie and Susan Carol cover a big event--nothing is quite as it seems, and the coaches aren't the only ones calling plays...
From the Hardcover edition.
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Ballpark Mysteries Collection Books
1-5
by David A Kelly
Ballpark Mysteries Collection Books 1-5
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Ballpark Mysteries Collection
Author: David A Kelly
Narrator: Marc Cashman
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THE FENWAY FOUL-UP: Mike Walsh and Kate Hopkins are super-lucky. They have tickets to the Boston Red Sox game and all-access passes to Fenway Park. But during batting practice, the lucky bat that belongs to Big D, the star slugger of the Red Sox, is stolen!
THE PINSTRIPE GHOST: Mike and Kate are waiting for Kate’s mom at a boring press conference in Yankee Stadium when the team official says something that makes Mike perk up his ears. There are rumors that the ghost of Babe Ruth is haunting the new stadium!
THE L.A. DODGER: It’s spring break and Kate and Mike are off to Los Angeles to visit Kate’s dad, a scout for the Dodgers. But strange things have been happening to Kate’s dad. Is someone after Mr. Hopkins’s top secret scouting reports?
THE ASTRO OUTLAW: Before a game at the Astros’ ballpark, Mike and Kate get to meet astronaut commander Nick Rice at the nearby Houston Space Center. He’s planning to display a very rare moonrock at an autographing event later. But just before the event, a nefarious outlaw knocks out the commander and steals the moonrock!
THE ALL-STAR JOKER: Mike and Kate are at the All-Star game! That’s where they meet Andy, whose dad, Josh Robinson, is an All-Star catcher. But before the Home Derby ends, Josh finds himself in hot water.
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Travel Team
by Mike Lupica
Travel Team
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Travel Team
Author: Mike Lupica
Narrator: Oliver Wyman
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Twelve-year-old Danny Walker knows something the coaches don’t: You can’t measure heart.
Danny Walker may be the smallest kid on the basketball court, but don’t tell him that. Because no one plays with a bigger love of the game. Or a better sense of how to hit the open player with the perfect pass. Which is why his world shatters when he is cut from the local travel team for being too small. Not just any travel team, either–the very same one his father had led to the national championship on ESPN when he was a kid.
Turns out Danny wasn’t the only kid cut for the wrong reasons. And Danny’s father is about to give them all a second chance–something he could use himself. After washing out of the NBA, Richie Walker washed out of life, too. But together, these castoffs prove something Danny knew all along: You can’t measure heart.
In the tradition of The Bad News Bears and Hoosiers, author, nationally syndicated sportswriter, and ESPN personality Mike Lupica delivers a rousing tale of the underdog that will leave you cheering to the final word.
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Heat
by Mike Lupica
Heat
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Heat
Author: Mike Lupica
Narrator: Paolo Andino
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Michael Arroyo has a pitching arm that throws serious heat. But his firepower is nothing compared to the heat Michael faces in his day-to-day life. Newly orphaned after his father led the family’s escape from Cuba, Michael’s only family is his seventeen-year-old brother Carlos. If Social Services hears of their situation, they will be separated in the foster-care system—or worse, sent back to Cuba.
Together, the boys carry on alone, dodging bills and anyone who asks too many questions. But then someone wonders how a twelve-year-old boy could possibly throw with as much power as Michael Arroyo throws. With no way to prove his age, no birth certificate, and no parent to fight for his cause, Michael’s secret world is blown wide open, and he discovers that family can come from the most unexpected sources.
“The dialogue crackles, and the rich cast of supporting characters—especially Michael's battery mate, catcher and raconteur Manny—nearly steals the show. Top-notch entertainment in the Carl Hiaasen mold.”—Booklist, starred review
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Super-Sized Slugger
by Cal Ripkin, Jr. and Kevin Cowherd
Super-Sized Slugger
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Super-Sized Slugger
Author: Cal Ripkin, Jr. and Kevin Cowherd
Narrator: Stephen Hoye
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Cody Parker may be overweight (he prefers the word burly), but he plays third base like a dream. Too bad no one knows it yet, because he’s new to Baltimore, where he’s a target—okay, a big target—for brutal teasing. Even worse, he’s competing for the starting job on the Orioles of the Dulaney Babe Ruth League against budding hoodlum.
Dante Rizzo, who vows to squeeze Cody’s head like a grape if Cody beats him out. Life gets even more complicated when York Middle School is beset by a rash of mysterious thefts, a crime wave that threatens to sideline Cody—and ruin a golden season for the Orioles. Will Cody ever succeed in getting people to see him for who he really is?
“Ripkin and Cowherd have created a definite winner for anyone with the slightest interest in baseball, sports in general, those adjusting to a new city or school, being overweight in middle school, or just wanting to be entertained by a good story.”—School Library Journal, starred review
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Half–Moon Investigations
by Eoin Colfer
Half–Moon Investigations
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Half–Moon Investigations
Author: Eoin Colfer
Narrator: Sean Patrick Reilly
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Fletcher Moon has never been like other kids. For one thing, he has had to suffer the humiliating nickname " Half Moon" because of his short stature. But the real reason Fletcher is different is that ever since he was a baby he's had a nose for sniffing out mysteries. And let's just say, it's not a skill that has been appreciated by many people, including his own family.
That doesn't bother Fletcher, though. After graduating at the top of his Internet class, he is officially certified as the youngest detective in the world. He even has a silver-plated detective's badge to prove it. Everything is going along fine until two things happen: a classmate hires him to solve a crime, and his prized badge is stolen. All signs point to the town's most notorious crime family, the Sharkeys.
As Fletcher follows the clues, evidence of a conspiracy begins to emerge. But before he can crack the case, Fletcher finds himself framed for a serious crime. To clear his name he will have to pair up with the unlikeliest of allies and go on the run from the authorities. Fletcher has twelve hours to find the guilty party–or he is the guilty party.
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Cover Up
by John Feinstein
Cover Up
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Cover Up
Author: John Feinstein
Narrator: John Feinstein
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The Super Bowl. America’s biggest sports spectacle. More than ninety-five million fans will be watching.
But Steve Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson know that what they’ll be watching is a lie. They know that the entire offensive line of the California Dreams have failed their doping tests and shouldn’t be allowed to play. They know that the Dreams’ owner is trying to cover up the test results until after the game. They know that they are sitting on the biggest sports scandal of the decade. What they don’t know–yet–is how to prove it.
These two fourteen-year-old reporters have broken big stories before. In fact, their past successes have made them a little bit famous. But nothing prepares you for the sheer size of the Super Bowl. The players are huge. The hype is overwhelming. The egos are gigantic. And the money? Astronomical. So a Super Bowl scandal is by far the biggest story Steve and Susan Carol have tried to tackle–with the biggest opponents lining up to take them down. . .
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The Thief Lord
by Cornelia Funke
The Thief Lord
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The Thief Lord
Author: Cornelia Funke
Narrator: Simon Jones
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Prosper and Bo are orphans on the run from their cruel aunt and uncle. The brothers decide to hide out in Venice, where they meet a mysterious thirteen-year-old who calls himself the "Thief Lord." Brilliant and charismatic, the Thief Lord leads a ring of street children who dabble in petty crimes. Prosper and Bo delight in being part of this colorful new family. But the Thief Lord has secrets of his own. Soon the boys are thrust into circumstances that will lead them to a fantastic, spellbinding conclusion.
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Crusher
by Niall Leonard
Crusher
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Crusher
Author: Niall Leonard
Narrator: Daniel Weyman
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Meet Finn Maguire—a compelling new character for the crime genre.
The day Finn Maguire discovers his father bludgeoned to death in a pool of blood, his dreary life is turned upside down. He's the prime suspect in the murder. Finn must race against time to clear his name and find out who hated his dad enough to murder him. Searching the sordid, brutal London underworld for answers, Finn exposes dark family secrets and faces danger at every turn. But he's about to learn that it's the people you trust who can hit you the hardest.
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The Mysterious Benedict Society
by Trenton Lee Stewart
The Mysterious Benedict Society
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The Mysterious Benedict Society
Author: Trenton Lee Stewart
Narrator: Del Roy
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ARE YOU A GIFTED CHILD Looking for special opportunities?
When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. (And you, dear listener, can test your wits right alongside them.) But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules.
As our heroes face physical and mental trials beyond their wildest imaginations, they have no choice but to turn to each other for support. But with their newfound friendship at stake, will they be able to pass the most important test of all?
Welcome to the Mysterious Benedict Society.
"Del Roy's narration is inspired. His serious tone communicates his respect for the skills and talents of the youngsters in the story, as well as the listeners who are playing along."—AudioFile
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The Dragon’s Tooth
by N.D. Wilson
The Dragon’s Tooth
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The Dragon’s Tooth
Author: N.D. Wilson
Narrator: Thomas Vincent Kelly
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N. D. Wilson, author of Leepike Ridge and 100 Cupboards, returns with an action-packed adventure that will captivate fans of both Percy Jackson and Indiana Jones with lost civilizations, ancient secrets, and buried treasure.
For two years, Cyrus and Antigone Smith have run a sagging roadside motel with their older brother, Daniel. Nothing ever seems to happen. Then a strange old man with bone tattoos arrives, demanding a specific room.
Less than 24 hours later, the old man is dead. The motel has burned, and Daniel is missing. And Cyrus and Antigone are kneeling in a crowded hall, swearing an oath to an order of explorers who have long served as caretakers of the world's secrets, keepers of powerful relics from lost civilizations, and jailers to unkillable criminals who have terrorized the world for millennia.
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Jim Thorpe, Original All-American
by Joseph Bruchac
Jim Thorpe, Original All-American
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Jim Thorpe, Original All-American
Author: Joseph Bruchac
Narrator: Joseph Bruchac
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Jim Thorpe was one of the greatest athletes who ever lived. He played professional football, Major League Baseball, and won Olympic gold medals in track and field. He’ll forever be remembered by the sports community and by his Native American community, who consider him a hero on par with Crazy Horse.
Born on the Sac and Fox Reservation in 1887. Jim was sent as a young boy to various Indian boarding schools–strict, cold places that didn’t allow their students to hold on to their Native American traditions. Jim ran away from school many times, until he found his calling at Pennsylvania’s Carlisle School. There, coach Pop Warner (who is as famous today as Thorpe himself) recognized Jim’s athletic excellence and welcomed him onto the football and track teams. Glory followed, as did surprising disgrace. But through everything, Jim was a person to admire–an engaging, spirited, and impressive young man.
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A Black Hole is Not a Hole
by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano [May 14th]
A Black Hole is Not a Hole
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A Black Hole is Not a Hole
Author: Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano
Narrator: Maxwell Glick, Tara Sands and Everette Plen
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If a black hole is not a hole, then what is it? Find out what black holes are, what causes them, and how scientists first discovered them. Learn how astronomers find black holes, get to know our nearest black-hole neighbor, and take a journey that will literally s-t-r-e-t-c-h the mind.
Includes a Bonus PDF of illustrations and Photographs from the Book.
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Lincoln
by Russell Freedmen
Lincoln
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Lincoln
Author: Russell Freedmen
Narrator: Robert Petkoff
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Abraham Lincoln stood out in a crowd as much for his wit and rollicking humor as for his height. Here is a warm, appealing biography of our Civil War president.
Russell Freedman begins with a lively account of Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood, his career as a country lawyer, and his courtship and marriage to Mary Todd. Then the author focuses on the presidential years (1861 to 1865), skillfully explaining the many complex issues Lincoln grappled with as he led a deeply divided nation through the Civil War. The audiobook’s final chapter is a moving account of that tragic evening in Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865.
Lincoln: A Photobiography concludes with an interview with the Author.
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Titanic
by Deborah Hopkinson
Titanic
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Titanic
Author: Deborah Hopkinson
Narrator: Mark Bramhall, Peter Altschuler and Various
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EARLY MORNING ON APRIL 15, 1912, the RMS Titanic, on her glorious maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, sank after striking an iceberg in the North Atlantic. Thus the ship declared to be unsinkable was lost in one of the most infamous tragedies in history. Even now, a century later, the events surrounding the Titanic continue to haunt and intrigue us.
Critically acclaimed author Deborah Hopkinson weaves together the voices of Titanic survivors and witnesses to the disaster to bring the horrors of that terrible night to life. There’s nine-year-old Frankie Goldsmith; Violet Jessop, a young stewardess; Jack Thayer, an American high school senior; Colonel Archibald Gracie, a well-to-do gentleman; William Murdoch, a brave seaman; Charlotte Collyer, a young mother on her way to start a new life; and many others. Their recollections are filled with heart-stopping action, devastating drama, and fascinating historical details.
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Bomb
by Steven Sheinkin
Bomb
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Bomb
Author: Steven Sheinkin
Narrator: Roy Samuelson
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In December of 1938, a chemist in a German laboratory made a shocking discovery: When placed next to radioactive material, a Uranium atom split in two. That simple discovery launched a scientific race that spanned 3 continents. In Great Britain and the United States, Soviet spies worked their way into the scientific community; in Norway, a commando force slipped behind enemy lines to attack German heavy-water manufacturing; and deep in the desert, one brilliant group of scientists was hidden away at a remote site at Los Alamos. This is the story of the plotting, the risk-taking, the deceit, and genius that created the world's most formidable weapon. This is the story of the atomic bomb.
Bomb is a 2013 Newbery Honor, winner of the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction, Winner of the Robert F. Sibert Medal, and a National Book Awards finalist for Young People’s Literature.
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Notorious Benedict Arnold
by Steven Sheinkin
Notorious Benedict Arnold
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Notorious Benedict Arnold
Author: Steven Sheinkin
Narrator: Mark Bramhall
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On a bitter cold day in January 1741 Benedict Arnold was born. Little did anyone know that he would grow up to become the most infamous villain in American history. But first, he would be one of the country’s greatest war heroes. Fearless in the line of fire, a genius at strategy and motivating his men, General Arnold was America’s first action hero. But his thirst for recognition would ultimately be his undoing. Hopeless at political
maneuvers, prone to outbursts of ego and temper, Arnold saw his fame slowly slipping away. And so, he came up with a plan that would guarantee his place in history . . .
Packed with gripping first-person accounts, astonishing battle scenes, and shocking betrayals, this accessible biography proves that there’s more than one side to every good story.
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The Book of Three
by Lloyd Alexander
The Book of Three
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The Book of Three
Author: Lloyd Alexander
Narrator: James Langton
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Taran dreams of adventure, but nothing exciting ever happens to an Assistant Pig-Keeper—until his pig runs away. A chase through the woods leads Taran far from home and into great danger, for evil prowls the land of Prydain. With a collection of strange and wonderful friends whom he meets on his journey, Taran finds himself fighting so that good may triumph over evil—and so that his beloved home will not fall to a diabolical fiend.
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The Lost Years of Merlin
by T.A. Barron
The Lost Years of Merlin
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The Lost Years of Merlin
Author: T.A. Barron
Narrator: Michael Cumpsty
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Washed up on the shores of ancient Wales, the boy had no home, no memory, and no name…
He was determined to find all three.
Under the wing of the mysterious Branwen, who claims to be his mother, the nameless boy learns the lore of such ancient peoples as the Celts and the Druids. But to discover his identity and the secret of his own powers, he must escape to the mist-shrouded isle of Fincayra, an enchanted land between earth and sky that is being destroyed by blight.With this land’s inhabitants to guide him, the boy will learn that Fincayra’s fate and his own quest are strangely intertwined…
He is destined to become the greatest wizard of all time. History will name him Merlin…
“Brilliant…an intense and profoundly spiritual adventure.”–Lloyd Alexander
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Ghost Knight
by Cornelia Funke
Ghost Knight
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Ghost Knight
Author: Cornelia Funke
Narrator: Elliot Hill
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Eleven-year-old Jon Whitcroft never expected to enjoy boarding school. Then again, he never expected to be confronted by a pack of vengeful ghosts, either. And then he meets Ella, a quirky new friend with a taste for adventure. . . .
Together, Jon and Ella must work to uncover the secrets of a centuries-old murder while being haunted by terrifying spirits, their bloodless faces set on revenge. So when Jon summons the ghost of the late knight Longspee for his protection, there’s just one question: Can Longspee truly be trusted?
Winner of an Odyssey Honor for Excellence in Audiobook Production.
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The Seeing Stone
by Kevin Crossley-Holland
The Seeing Stone
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The Seeing Stone
Author: Kevin Crossley-Holland
Narrator: Michael Maloney
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Once and future. Twice and past. A remarkable Arthurian saga begins.
The year is 1199 and on the borders of England and Wales young Arthur de Caldicot waits impatiently to grow up and become a knight. One day his father's friend Merlin gives Arthur a shining black stone - a seeing stone - that shows him visions of his namesake, King Arthur. At first, there seems to be no connection between Arthurs past and present. Manor life for Arthur de Calidicot is a complex struggle of terrible secrets and haunting jealousies. Nothing like the red and white dragons, or the sword in the stone. And yet . . . there is something binding the two Arthurs together.
"The Seeing Stone transports listeners to medieval England…Maloney narrates with an easily understandable British accent…excellent historical novel.”–Booklist, starred review
“Filled with stories viewed through Arthur's compassionate eyes and heard in Maloney's fully-voiced presentation--this subtle yet brilliant picture of life on a medieval manor leaves vivid images in our minds long after we've finished the book.”–AudioFile
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The Knights’ Tales Collection
by Gerald Morris
The Knights’ Tales Collection
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The Knights’ Tales Collection
Author: Gerald Morris
Narrator: Steve West
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Many years ago, the storytellers say, the great King Arthur brought justice to England with the help of his gallant Knights of the Round Table.
Sir Lancelot the Great
Of these worthy knights, there was never one so fearless, so chivalrous, so honorable, so…shiny as the dashing Sir Lancelot, who was quite good at defending the helpless and protecting the weak, just as long as he’d had his afternoon nap.
Sir Givret the Short
Poor Givret: his size makes him so easy to overlook. But there’s more to knighthood than height, and before long, Givret’s quick thinking lands him a place at the famous Round Table!
Sir Gawain the True
The knights didn’t always act quite as gallantly as a true knight should. Even King Arthur’s nephew, known at that time as Sir Gawain the Undefeated, was too full of himself to accept a token of thanks from a rescued princess! Someone needed to teach Sir Gawain that courtesy and friendship are just as important as strength and courage.
Sir Balin the Ill-Fated
While most of King Arthur’s knights freely chose a life of duty, for Sir Balin the Ill-Fated, destiny was foretold in a prophecy. Still, no matter how dire the task, a loyal and gallant knight never refuses adventure!
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Magic Tree House Books 1-8
by Mary Pope Osborne
Magic Tree House Books 1-8
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Magic Tree House Books 1-8
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Narrator: Mary Pope Osborne
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Enjoy eight MAGIC TREE HOUSE chapter books in a special CD set. As an added bonus, listen to an interview with the author and reader, Mary Pope Osborne. PLEASE NOTE: Magic Tree House Chapter books are available as single story audiobooks through www.listeninglibrary.com or wherever audiobooks are sold.
Includes:
Dinosaurs Before Dark: Book 1
Join Jack and Annie as they travel back to the time of dinosaurs where they encounter all sorts of dinos from the terrifying T-Rex to the crowd-pleasing Triceratops—and start on a life-time of adventures with new listeners.
The Knight at Dawn: Book 2
THE MAGIC TREE House whisks Jack and Annie back to the Middle Ages for another wild adventure. In the Great Hall of the castle, a feast is under way. But Jack and Annie aren’t exactly welcome guests!
Mummies in the Morning: Book 3
Jack and Annie don't need another mummy. But that's what they get when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to ancient Egypt. There they meet a long-dead queen who needs their help. Will Jack and Annie be able to solve the puzzle, or will they end up as mummies themselves?
Pirates Past Noon: Book 4
It's a treasure trove of trouble! Jack and Annie are in for a high-seas adventure when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to the days of deserted islands, secret maps—and ruthless pirates! Will they discover a buried treasure? Or will they be forced to walk the plank?
Night of the Ninjas: Book 5
Have you ever met a real live ninja? Jack and Annie do when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to ancient Japan, where they find themselves in the cave of a ninja master. Will they learn the secrets of the ninja? Or will the evil samurai warriors get them first?
Afternoon on the Amazon: Book 6
Vampire bats and killer ants? That's what Jack and Annie are about to run into when the Magic Tree House whisks them away to the Amazon River. It's not long before they get hopelessly lost. Will they be able to find their way back to the tree house? Or are Jack and Annie stuck forever in the rain forest?
Sunset of the Sabertooth: Book 7
The Ice Age is very cool . . . for two kids in bathing suits! Jack and Annie nearly freeze when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to the time of cave people and woolly mammoths. But nothing can stop them from having another wild adventure—not even a saber-toothed tiger!
Midnight on the Moon: Book 8
Three . . . two . . . one . . . BLAST OFF! The Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie off to the moon—and the future. Their mission? To find the last "M" thing that will free Morgan from the spell. Can they do it before the air in their oxygen tank runs out? Will the mysterious moon man help them? And why is Peanut the mouse acting so strange?
"In her compelling, enthusiastic storytelling style, Osborne gives voice to Jack and Annie....Young listeners will be hooked from the start."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Osborne's delivery is enthusiastic and sweet, a good way to introduce young listeners to audiobooks."—Dallas Morning News
“Children will enjoy Mary Pope Osborne's pacing, her ability to create suspense, and her knack for bringing history alive in a playful way.”—AudioFile
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Navigating Early
by Claire Vanderpool
Navigating Early
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Navigating Early
Author: Claire Vanderpool
Narrator: Robbie Daymond, Mark Bramhall and Cassandra Campbell
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New York Times Best Seller Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool, Newbery Medalist for Moon Over Manifest, is an odyssey-like adventure of two boys' incredible quest on the Appalachian Trail where they deal with pirates, buried secrets, and extraordinary encounters.
At the end of World War II, Jack Baker, a landlocked Kansas boy, is suddenly uprooted after his mother's death and placed in a boy's boarding school in Maine. There, Jack encounters Early Auden, the strangest of boys, who reads the number pi as a story and collects clippings about the sightings of a great black bear in the nearby mountains. Newcomer Jack feels lost yet can't help being drawn to Early, who won't believe what everyone accepts to be the truth about the Great Appalachian Bear, Timber Rattlesnakes, and the legendary school hero known as The Fish, who never returned from the war. When the boys find themselves unexpectedly alone at school, they embark on a quest on the Appalachian Trail in search of the great black bear. But what they are searching for is sometimes different from what they find. They will meet truly strange characters, each of whom figures into the pi story Early weaves as they travel, while discovering things they never realized about themselves and others in their lives.
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Call of the Wild
by Jack London
Call of the Wild
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Call of the Wild
Author: Jack London
Narrator: Jeff Daniels
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Jack London’s The Call of the Wild was written in 1903, but Buck’s gripping adventure makes for a thrilling listen on audio more than 100 years after it was first published.
This gripping story follows the adventures of the loyal dog Buck, who is stolen from his comfortable family home and forced into the harsh life of an Alaskan sled dog. Passed from master to master, Buck embarks on an extraordinary journey that ends with his becoming the legendary leader of a wolf pack.
“To this day Jack London is the most widely read American writer in the world,” E. L. Doctorow wrote in The New York Times Book Review. Generally considered to be London’s greatest achievement, The Call of the Wild brought him international acclaim when it was published. His story of the dog Buck, who learns to survive in the bleak Yukon wilderness, is viewed by many as his symbolic autobiography. “No other popular writer of his time did any better writing than you will find in The Call of the Wild,” said H. L. Mencken.
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20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
by Jules Verne
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
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20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Author: Jules Verne
Narrator: James Frain
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An American frigate, tracking down a ship-sinking monster, faces not a living creature but an incredible invention -- a fantastic submarine commanded by the mysterious Captain Nemo. Suddenly a devastating explosion leaves just three survivors, who find themselves prisoners inside Nemo's death ship on an underwater odyssey around the world from the pearl-laden waters of Ceylon to the icy dangers of the South Pole . . .as Captain Nemo, one of the greatest villians ever created, takes his revenge on all society.
More than a marvelously thrilling drama, this classic novel, written in 1870, foretells with uncanny accuracy the inventions and advanced technology of the twentieth century and has become a literary stepping-stone for generations of science fiction writers.
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On the Road
by Jack Kerouac
On the Road
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On the Road
Author: Jack Kerouac
Narrator: Will Patton
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ON THE ROAD chronicles Jack Kerouac's years traveling the North American continent with his friend Neal Cassady, "a sideburned hero of the snowy West." As "Sal Paradise" and "Dean Moriarty," the two roam the country in a quest for self-knowledge and experience. Kerouac's love of America, his compassion for humanity, and his sense of language as jazz combine to make ON THE ROAD an inspirational work of lasting importance. Kerouac’s classic novel of freedom and longing defined what it meant to be “Beat” and has inspired every generation since its initial publication more than fifty years ago.
“ON THE ROAD is a winding, meandering journey, and Will Patton's performance as narrator provides the map... Patton creates distinct voices for the two main characters, speaking for…the observant Sal Paradise and…the pleasure-seeking Dean Moriarty. Patton is appropriately quiet or exuberant, optimistic or cautious, and an ideal guide into the experience that is ON THE ROAD.”–Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
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Hatchet
by Gary Paulsen
Hatchet
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Hatchet
Author: Gary Paulsen
Narrator: Peter Coyote
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ALONE
Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is on his way to visit his father when the single-engine plane in which he is flying crashes. Suddenly, Brian finds himself alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but a tattered Windbreaker and the hatchet his mother gave him as a present—and the dreadful secret that has been tearing him apart since his parents’ divorce. But now Brian has no time for anger, self-pity, or despair—it will take all his know-how and determination, and more courage than he knew he possessed, to survive.
“In a straightforward and compelling narration, Peter Coyote captures Brian's terror, anguish and exultation as he learns to survive alone in the wilderness.”–AudioFile
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Treasure Island
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Treasure Island
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Treasure Island
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Narrator: Alfred Molina
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Robert Louis Stevenson’s cherished, unforgettable adventure magically captures the thrill of a sea voyage and a treasure hunt through the eyes of its teenage protagonist, Jim Hawkins. Crossing the Atlantic in search of the buried cache, Jim and the ship’s crew must brave the elements and a mutinous charge led by the quintessentially ruthless pirate Long John Silver. Brilliantly conceived and splendidly executed, it is a novel that has seized the imagination of generations of adults and children alike.
Winner of an Odyssey Honor for Excellence in Audiobook Production.
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