Biography & Memoir Audiobooks

Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad

When Harriet Tubman was born a plantation slave in 1820, her parents hoped she could learn a trade, so she wouldn't have to work in the fields. But because she defended a slave against an overseer, she became a field hand anyway. As she grew strong and learned to survive in the woods and find her way by the North Star, she dreamed of freedom. When she was almost 30, she finally made her escape, but her own freedom wasn't enough. Risking life and limb, she became a conductor on the Underground Railroad to help other slaves flee to safety. A symbol of strength and hope, this legendary 'Moses' led over 300 of her people to freedom and a new life. Narrator Peter Francis James brings this powerful woman to life to inspire all of us with her compassion, bravery and moral integrity.

Ann Petry (Author), Peter Francis James (Narrator)

Audiobook

Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science

In 1848 Vermont, railroad foreman Phineas Gage sat above a hole, preparing to blast through some granite. A 13-pound iron rod fell from his hands into the hole, triggering the explosion and sending the rod straight through Phineas' head. Thirty minutes after this terrible accident, Phineas sat on the steps of a hotel, patiently waiting for the town doctor to arrive. He chatted with his amazed coworkers as if nothing had happened. But something terrible had happened. The rod that shot through Phineas' head like a rocket had caused great damage. Yet-incredibly-Phineas survived another 11 years. This extraordinary book tells the true story of one of the most remarkable accidents in human history. Listeners will not only be fascinated by all the gruesome details, but will also learn riveting information about how Phineas helped change the history of brain science. "Readers of this fascinating book will become acquainted with both the unbelievable tale of Phineas Gage as well as valuable information about the workings of the human brain."-Children's Literature

John Fleischman (Author), Kevin Orton (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Gutsy Girl: Escapades for Your Life of Epic Adventure

From a real-life derring-do woman, exhilarating stories, activities, and tips to inspire girls to pursue a life of adventure and excitement. Why should girls miss out on the joy of adventure? They can jump off rocks, swing on ropes, and climb trees just as well as boys can. But girls often allow fear to stand in their way. In The Gutsy Girl, author Caroline Paul emboldens girls to seek out a life of exhilaration. Once a young scaredy-cat herself, Caroline decided that fear got in the way of the life she wanted--of excitement, confidence, self-reliance, friendship, and fun. She has since flown planes, rafted big rivers, climbed tall mountains, and fought fires as one of the first female firefighters in San Francisco. In The Gutsy Girl, she shares her greatest escapades as well as those of other girls and women from throughout history, and offers engaging activities such as confidence-building stances, creating a compass, positive self-talk, and using crickets to estimate outside temperatures. Each section includes a place for girls to "journal" their adventures, thus encouraging a new generation to develop a zest for challenges and a healthy relationship to risk. The Gutsy Girl is Lean In for young girls, a book about the glorious things that happen when you unshackle from fear and open up to exhilaration. Fully illustrated and enlivened throughout by bestselling illustrator Wendy MacNaughton's whimsical pen-and-ink drawings. **Please Contact Customer Service for Additional Documents**

Caroline Paul (Author), Tara Sands (Narrator)

Audiobook

When Elephants Fight

"When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. This ancient proverb of the Kikuyu people, a tribal group in Kenya, Africa, is as true today as when the words were first spoken, perhaps thousands of years ago. Its essence is simplicity--when the large fight, it is the small who suffer most. And when it comes to war, the smallest, the most vulnerable, are the children. When Elephants Fight presents the stories of five children--Annu, Jimmy, Nadja, Farooq and Toma--from five very different and distinct conflicts--Sri Lanka, Uganda, Sarajevo, Afghanistan and the Sudan. Along with these very personal accounts, the book also offers brief analyses of the history and geopolitical issues that are the canvas on which these conflicts are cast. When Elephants Fight is about increasing awareness. For the future to be better than the past, better than the present, we must help equip our children with an awareness and understanding of the world around them and their ability to bring about change. Gandhi stated, ""If you are going to change the world, start with the children."" "

Adrian Bradbury, Eric Walters (Author), Korey Jackson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference

Award-winning author Joyce Hansen gives voice to 13 amazing African American women who have overcome adversity to make their mark in history. Each of these women will capture your heart and mind as you listen to their inspiring life stories. Hear about the life of acclaimed actress Ruby Dee and 1983 Pulitzer Prize winner Alice Walker. Meet the first African American woman to travel into space and the first African American resident neurosurgeon. These fascinating women remind us That with determination, we can overcome any obstacle. Myra Lucretia Taylor's heartwarming narration will draw you further into the lives of these astonishing women.

Joyce Hansen (Author), Myra Lucretia Taylor (Narrator)

Audiobook

Tutankhamun: The Mystery of the Boy King

Mysterious boy king Tutankhamun returns to the U.S. in 2008, bringing rare treasures never before seen outside Egypt. For the millions of fans wanting a keepsake and chronicle of this magnificent new exhibition, this book will delight. Created by world-renowned art historians under the guidance of Zahi Hawass-director of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities and a well-known media personality-it surveys 3,000 years of ancient Egyptian history by focusing on the lives and lifestyles of great pharaohs. Master photographer Sandro Vannini spotlights every dazzling artifact, using an innovative technique that makes the image jump off the page. The book's design echoes the exhibition, grouping objects representing family life, religious practices, funerary rituals, and gold. In each artifact-a queen's eye makeup container, a likeness of a princess eating duck, a sarcophagus made for a prince's cat-we glimpse the life of ancient Egyptian royalty: exotic and fascinating, yet so human. Gold gleams in a leopard-mask of gilded wood, a brilliant pendant bearing tiny goddesses, even the golden finger and toe covers of Tutankhamun himself, meant to protect his extremities in the afterlife. Featuring more than 120 treasures, a dozen evocative landscape and archaeology photos, and illuminating text, this book makes palpable the excitement, riches, and mysteries of ancient Egypt. It will be prominently displayed in all exhibition venues, and its contents will interest visitors to the show as well as Tut enthusiasts across the country.

Zahi Hawass (Author), Firdous Bamji (Narrator)

Audiobook

Stephenie Meyer: Author of the Twilight Saga

A biography of American novelist Stephenie Meyer, author of the best-selling Twilight saga.

Lisa Albert (Author), Angela Goethals (Narrator)

Audiobook

Snowflake Bentley

Jacqueline Briggs Martin's Snowflake Bentley won a Caldecott Medal, a Parents' Choice Award, and was picked as an ALA Notable Book for Children. Listeners of all ages will cherish this beautiful story about a real man whose discoveries changed the way the world saw snow.

Jacqueline Briggs Martin (Author), Tom Stechschulte (Narrator)

Audiobook

Lives of the Athletes: Thrills, Spills (and What the Neighbors Thought)

Do you have a favorite sports hero? If so, have you ever wondered about what kind of zany things things he or she likes to do when not competing? Have you ever wondered what the great athletes like to eat, or what they like to drink? For instance, it's a little-known fact that baseball great Babe Ruth relished the chance to wolf-down pickled eels and chocolate ice cream! Do you ever imagine what their childhoods were like? This fascinating book answers all these questions and many more you might never have even thought to ask! Featuring inspiring stories and wacky trivia about 20 different world-class athletes, this book by Kathleen Krull is sure to get young sports-fans excited about reading.

Kathleen Krull (Author), Kevin Orton (Narrator)

Audiobook

Girls Who Rocked the World: Heroines from Sacagawea to Sheryl Swoopes

If you made a list of people who rocked the world, how many girls would be on it? Author Amelie Welden was inspired to write this story when she learned of the many young women who made their mark on history before the age of 20. Cleopatra was only 18 when named queen of the Egyptian empire, and Victoria was only 19 when crowned Queen of England. Phillis Wheatley is credited with starting the African-American literary tradition, and jazz singer Bessie Smith was only nine when she made her stage debut. This book covers the best-known heroines as well as some you may never have heard of, like Mary Anning, who discovered a dinosaur fossil in 1809 at the age of 11 and went on to become one of the first professional female scientists. Kids will find that there are many ways to make a difference, and included with each story are statements from today's girls about how they plan to rock the world.

Amelie Welden (Author), Christina Moore (Narrator)

Audiobook

Who Was Bruce Lee?

Bruce Lee was a Chinese American action film star, martial arts instructor, filmmaker, and philosopher. His Hong Kong and Hollywood-produced films elevated the traditional martial arts film to a new level of popularity and acclaim. Through such films as Way of the Dragon and Enter the Dragon, Lee helped to change the way Asians were presented in American films and, in the process, he became an iconic figure known throughout the world. Although he died at the young age of 32, Bruce Lee is widely considered to be the one of the most influential martial artists of all time. From the Trade Paperback edition.

Jim Gigliotti (Author), Fred Sanders (Narrator)

Audiobook

Who Is Bob Dylan?

A singer-songerwriter, musician, and artist, Bob Dylan is an American icon. In the past five decades, Dylan's work has influenced everyone from John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, and David Bowie to rapper Eminem. Young music lovers will be fascinated by this great artist's life! From the Hardcover edition.

Jim O'Connor (Author), MacLeod Andrews (Narrator)

Audiobook