Books with author Listening Library

An often hilarious and always relevant memoir about one teen boy's battle with brain cancer and his Starlight Children's Foundation wish: to meet Mikhail Gorbachev in Russia and plead for nuclear disarmament and world peace. It's 1986, and Jeff is an average 15-year-old: he thinks a lot about dating, he bounces around with his friends, and he's trying his hardest to get a car. Conversely, the world around him feels crazy: the United States and the Soviet Union are at glaring odds, with their leaders in a standoff, and that awful word, "nuclear", is on everyone's mind. Then, boom - Jeff learns that he has brain cancer and it's likely terminal. Well, that puts a damper on his summer plans and romantic prospects, doesn't it? Jeff's family rallies around him, but they are fiercely complicated - especially Jeff's father, a man who can't say "I love you" even during the worst of Jeff's treatment. So when the Starlight Children's Foundation offers to grant Jeff a wish, he makes one certain to earn his father's respect: he asks to travel to Moscow and meet with Mikhail Gorbachev to discuss nuclear disarmament and ending the Cold War. Nothing like achieving world peace to impress a distant father, right? Jeff has always been one to aim high. Jeff's story is dark, but it's also funny, romantic, and surprising. As his life swings from incredibly ordinary to absolutely incredible, he grapples with the big questions of mortality, war, love, hope, and miracles. "A sweet but unsentimental account of a truly fascinating nuclear childhood. Henigson had me at 'Gorbachev.'" (Gary Shteyngart, New York Times best-selling author of Little Failure and Lake Success) "It's a tale well-told - always gripping, often heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting." (Booklist)

A young knight must fulfill his destiny in this second book in a trilogy perfect for fans of Ranger's Apprentice. The door between our world and the world of the dark has been blasted open. Now the knights must face the court of the Endless King. Denizen finally feels like a true knight, and the court has requested a meeting to thank him for saving the king's daughter. It's either an honor...or a trap. When the knights encounter the members of the Forever Court, the meeting almost immediately dissolves into a battle. And that's not the worst of it. There is another order of people who can communicate with the monsters of the dark. A family who worships the dark. And they will stop at nothing to bring the shadows back to power.

From award-winning actor-writer-producer-director Bob Balaban comes a hilarious new series, perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. If popularity were a score between one and ten, Charlie Drinkwater would be a zero. He's nerdy and unathletic, and to top it all off, he's suddenly morphed into a giant mutant sea creature sometime between first-period science class and third-period English. Now Charlie's two best friends are treating him like a science project, there's a petition to get him kicked out of school, the cool kids are recruiting him for their clique, and for some reason his parents are acting like everything is perfectly normal. What's a slimy, scaly, seventh-grade creature to do?

Internationally known singer, songwriter, businesswoman, and actress Thalia shares this fun and fanciful story about something every parent can relate to - persuading your child to give up the pacifier. Thaila dreamed up Binkyland, the magical place where the Binkies live and where they would one day return home to, as a bedtime story for her own children. Vibrant, colorful, and campy, this is the perfect story for kids who need the extra push to give up their own binkies. Please note this audio includes both English and Spanish. Thalia, la internacionalmente conocida cantante, compositora, mujer de negocios y actriz, comparte esta simpática y tierna historia sobre una de las experiencias más comunes entre casi todos los padres: el momento en que sus hijos deben dejar el chupete. Thalia creó Binkylandia, un país encantado donde viven los binkies, y al lugar donde regresarán algún día, para leer a sus pequeños a la hora de dormir. Con colores vivos y llamativos, esta simpática historia ayudará a sus hijos a afrontar el difícil momento de dejar el chupete.

"[G]enuinely funny, heart-wrenching . . ." - Kirkus Reviews "[A] moving journey of self-discovery and a gratifying coming-of-age story." - Publishers Weekly "Husky . . . is a superb addition to the middle grade literary canon." - VOYA Reviews "There is not a false note in the writing . . ." - Lambda Literary A beautifully voiced debut captures an intimate story of change and acceptance. Twelve-year-old Davis lives in an old brownstone with his mother and grandmother in Brooklyn. He loves people-watching in Prospect Park, visiting his mom in the bakery she owns, and listening to the biggest operas he can find as he walks everywhere. But Davis is having a difficult summer. As questions of sexuality begin to enter his mind, he worries people don’t see him as anything other than “husky.” To make matters worse, his best girlfriends are starting to hang out with mean girls and popular boys. Davis is equally concerned about the distance forming between him and his single mother as she begins dating again, and about his changing relationship with his amusingly loud Irish grandmother, Nanny. Ultimately, Davis learns to see himself outside of his one defining adjective. He’s a kid with unique interests, admirable qualities, and people who will love him no matter what changes life brings about.

"A surefire read-aloud for any wannabe hero." (Booklist, starred review) From Drew Daywalt, the number-one New York Times best-selling author of The Day the Crayons Quit, comes a hilarious buddy-comedy audiobook starring a grouchy stuffed bunny and a happy-go-lucky stick. When super cheerful Stick and grumpy stuffed bunny Huggie get thrown from a backpack, the adventure is on! Together, this odd couple survives encounters with seafaring pirates, raging rhinos in Africa, sword-wielding royalty in Europe, stick-eating panda bears in Asia, sharks in Australia, hungry penguins in Antarctica, and piranhas in South America - all before finally making it home to North America. A fantastically funny listen about two unlikely friends and their epic journey around the world.

There's a thief in town, and all signs point to 12-year-old Charlie Drinkwater. Once you spontaneously morph into a giant mutant dinosaur in the middle of the school day, people will suspect you of just about anything. Charlie's teachers decide that all he needs is a little discipline, so they make him join the swim team. The only problem is, Charlie is terrified of the water. (He's terrified of a lot of things). Charlie and his friends vow to apprehend the real criminal and clear Charlie's name. But when they discover who the actual thief is, Charlie's problems get a whole lot bigger…not to mention slimier, scalier, and smellier!

Each word running fast across lips. A direct line to my hips, twist and shake. My voice another arm, another leg. My throat the Cape Canaveral of my soul. This rockin' collection of 24 dynamic, original poems vividly captures a variety of musical experiences from the teen perspective. From playing in the school band to playing air guitar, from performing a favorite song to dreaming of stardom, the power of music is explored in passionate poetry and performance. The rhythm and language of each poem reflect a different musical genre, including classical, hip-hop, jazz, folk, and reggae. Whether hitting drums "with more force/than a million recess bullies," rapping "no one can touch me, don't even try to front," or depicting the struggles of a garage band, this vibrant collection celebrates the importance of music for teenagers.