Biography & Memoir Audiobooks

How did a working-class girl from Cuba become a symbol of artistic freedom for Cuban Americans and the 'Queen of Salsa'? Find out in this addition to the Who HQ library! Although her family and friends know her as Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso, the world refers to her simply as Celia Cruz. Starting her career in 1950, Celia grew increasingly popular as the new lead singer of the Cuban band Sonora Matancera. Her exceptional vocal range and flashy costumes made fans fall in love with her. Celia's talent took her all around the world, including the United States. After Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba, she wasn't allowed to return to her native country. She and other Cubans who were exiled used their music to express their love for their homeland. Celia rose to the top of the charts in a genre that was dominated by men. She become an award-winning singer and the most popular Latin artist of the twentieth century. Azucar! indeed!

Meg Belviso, Pam Pollack (Author), Frankie Corzo (Narrator)

Audiobook

Benjamin Franklin

Sure, almost all kids know Benjamin Franklin as one of America’s Founding Fathers, a man with a hand in both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. And they may even have some vague idea that he once flew a kite during a lightning storm. What Kathleen Krull sets out to do in this very different biography is show Ben Franklin as the “natural philosopher” (the term for scientists back in the 1700s), whose experiments led to important discoveries about the nature of electricity—including his famous demonstration that electricity and lightning were one and the same. As always, this much-lauded series presents a true Giant of Science in a juicily anecdotal way. This is social history at its best … who knew that Franklin became such a megastar that Paris shops sold Ben dolls, Ben ashtrays, and even Ben wallpaper? Witty and engaging, this is a worthy addition to the Giants of Science series.

Kathleen Krull (Author), Tavia Gilbert (Narrator)

Audiobook

Die Abenteuer der Dschungelkids

Die Abenteuer der Dschungelkids Der Erfolg von Sabine Kueglers Weltbestseller 'Dschungelkind' zeigt, wie sehr sich die Menschen für fremde Welten und Kulturen und für die Erlebnisse des 'Mädchens aus der Steinzeit' begeistern. Nicht nur bei Erwachsenen, auch bei Kindern und Jugendlichen ist das Interesse sehr groß. Gerade sie stellten und stellen der Autorin anhaltend immer neue Fragen zum Leben im Dschungel. Speziell für die Kinder erzählt Sabine Kuegler auf diesem Hörbuch bisher unveröffentlichte Geschichten aus ihrer Zeit auf der Dschungelbasis Danau Bira, wo sie mit ihren Freunden, den 'Dschungelkids', eine Menge aufregender Abenteuer erlebte ...

Sabine Kuegler (Author), Sabine Kuegler (Narrator)

Audiobook

¡Vamos! Let's Go Eat

In this new ¡Vamos! title, Little Lobo is excited to take in a show with wrestling star El Toro in his bustling border town. After getting lunch orders from The Bull and his friends to help prepare for the event, Little Lobo goes on a tour of food trucks that sell his favorite foods, like quesadillas with red peppers and Mexican-Korean tacos. Full of easy-to-remember Latin-American Spanish vocabulary, this glorious celebration of food is sure to leave everyone hungry for lunch! The ¡Vamos! books are jam-packed with fun details and are perfect for fans of Richard Scarry and Where's Waldo?

Raúl The Third (Author), Gary Tiedemann (Narrator)

Audiobook

Amazing Muslims Who Changed the World

Brought to you by Puffin. Think you know who first thought of the theory of evolution? Ever wondered who created the oldest university in the world? And have you heard the incredible tale of the masked knight - a rebel girl who became a military commander? Meet just some of the amazing Muslim men and women who have changed our world - from pirate queens, nurses, warriors, scientists, actors, and mathematicians, to courageous ordinary men and women doing extraordinary things. You'll find people you might know, like Malala Yousafzai, Mo Farah and Muhammad Ali, as well as some you might not, such as: Hasan Ibn Al-Haytham: the first scientist to prove theories about how light travels, hundreds of years before Isaac Newton Sultan Razia: a fearsome female ruler G. Willow Wilson: the comic book artist who created the first ever Muslim Marvel character Ibtihaj Muhammad: the Olympic and World Champion fencer and the first American to compete in the games wearing hijab. Noor Inayat Khan: the Indian Princess who became a British spy during WWII © Burhana Islam 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

Burhana Islam (Author), Maya Saroya (Narrator)

Audiobook

She Persisted in Sports: American Olympians Who Changed the Game

From Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, the #1 New York Times bestselling team behind She Persisted, comes a new book featuring women athletes who overcame and inspired--just in time for the Olympics! Throughout history, women have been told that they couldn't achieve their dreams, no matter how hard they tried. Women athletes have faced their own unique set of challenges, across countless sports and levels of play. In this third She Persisted book, Chelsea Clinton introduces listeners to women who have excelled in their sports because of their persistence. She Persisted in Sports is an audiobook for everyone who has ever aimed for a goal and been told it wasn't theirs to hit, for everyone who has ever raced for a finish line that seemed all too far away, and for everyone who has ever felt small or unimportant while out on the field. Alexandra Boiger's inspiring text shows listeners of all ages that, no matter what obstacles come their way, they have the power to persist and succeed. This audiobook features: Margaret Ives Abbott, Gertrude Ederle, Mildred 'Babe' Didrikson Zaharias, Wilma Rudolph, Jean Driscoll, Mia Hamm (and the 1996 Olympic soccer team), Kristi Yamaguchi, Venus and Serena Williams, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings, Diana Taurasi, Simone Biles, Ibtihaj Muhammad and Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux.

Chelsea Clinton (Author), Chelsea Clinton (Narrator)

Audiobook

Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary

Martyr. Prophet. Hustler. Dealer. Troublemaker. Revolutionary. A BIOGRAPHY BY As a fourteen-year-old he was Malcolm Little, the president of his class and a top student. At sixteen he was hustling tips at a Boston nightclub. In Harlem he was known as Detroit Red, a slick street operator. At nineteen he was back in Boston, leading a gang of burglars. At twenty he was in prison. It was in prison that Malcolm Little started the journey that would lead him to adopt the name Malcolm X, and there he developed his beliefs about what being Black means in America. From streetwise teenager to the militant leader of hundreds of thousands in the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X was one of the most respected, and most feared, men in American history. Even today, years after his assassination, young people still listen to his speeches and read his autobiography. In this forthright and courageous account, Walter Dean Myers, two-time winner of the Newbery Honor and four-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, depicts a complex man whose life reflected the major issues of our times.

Walter Dean Myers (Author), Corey Allen (Narrator)

Audiobook

Andrew Jackson for Kids

Mike Hill (Author), Billy Thomas (Narrator)

Audiobook

DK Life Stories: Anne Frank

Learn all about Anne Frank and her world-famous diary in this children's biography. In this biography, discover the incredible story of Anne Frank, the courageous young writer who hid from the Nazis during World War II. Anne Frank's diary is read by children and adults worldwide. It tells two stories: one of an extraordinary young girl living in hiding during one of the most fearsome times in history, and one of a relatable young girl facing the same questions and troubles that kids come up against today. Learn how both sides of this puzzle made up the person who is Anne Frank. Meet her family and friends, explore ''The Annex'' where they hid, and see her story put in historical context alongside information about World War II and the Holocaust, and Hitler and Nazi Germany. This new biography series from DK goes beyond the basic facts to tell the true life stories of history's most interesting people. An age-appropriate text to create an engaging audiobook children will enjoy listening to. This is the one biography series everyone will want to collect. © 2019 Stephen Krensky © 2020 DK Audio

Dk (Author), Penelope Rawlins (Narrator)

Audiobook

Taylor Swift

This book discusses the family background, education, rise to fame, and future plans of country music star Taylor Swift. From Swift’s work as a songwriter to her first record contract, readers will learn about her talent and dedication. Topics covered include Swift’s first two albums, Taylor Swift and Fearless, as well as her awards, achievements, and hobbies. Readers will also learn about Nashville and its history as Music City. Colorful graphics, oversized photographs, and short, engaging sentences draw reluctant readers into the fascinating life of Taylor Swift! Included are table of contents, Did You Know facts, glossary with phonetic spellings, and index. Buddy Books is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

Sarah Tieck (Author), Noah Luce (Narrator)

Audiobook

Clang!: Ernst Chladni's Sound Experiments

Like Bill Nye, the Science Guy today, Chladni popularized science. But during his work as an entertainer, he struggled to find the time and finances do actual research. This story provides a glimpse at the life of Ernst Chladni, the Father of Acoustics. It's an amazing example of how scientists collaborate internationally. The story is based on Chladni's own description of the event.

Darcy Pattison (Author), Josiah Bildner (Narrator)

Audiobook

Firebird

In her debut book, Misty Copeland tells the story of a young girl--an every girl--whose confidence is fragile and who is questioning her own ability to reach the heights that Misty has reached. Misty encourages this young girl's faith in herself and shows her exactly how, through hard work and dedication, she too can become Firebird. Lyrical and affecting text makes Firebird perfect for aspiring ballerinas everywhere.

Misty Copeland (Author), Misty Copeland (Narrator)

Audiobook