Health & Family Audiobooks

Preacher's Boy

Willful and high-spirited, exerting his independence at every turn, 10-year-old Robert "Robbie" Burns Hewitt plans to live life to the fullest--because the world is going to end at the turn of the century anyway! The year 1900 is fast approaching. Robbie decides that living by The Ten Commandments, which have been drilled into his head by his preacher father, is not meant for him--since he "ain't got the knack for holiness." On his quest to be his own person, he stirs up trouble daily. Before long, he must choose between the truth and a lie while a man's life hangs in the balance. Newbery Award-winning author Katherine Paterson brings to life Robbie's honest emotions of anger, jealousy and fear, leading him to make a number of disturbing choices. Despite the challenges, Robbie emerges as an engaging character with a good heart.

Katherine Paterson (Author), Johnny Heller (Narrator)

Audiobook

Zeely

This summer, young Elizabeth and her little brother are going to their uncle's farm alone. Their parents are staying home in the city. Elizabeth can't wait to run through the fields, sleep outside, and explore her uncle's big farm house. One night at the farm, Elizabeth sees a tall, thin figure floating down the road. Although at first she thinks it's a ghost, she soon finds out that it is Zeely Tayber, going to feed her hogs before dawn. In the following days, Elizabeth watches the proud, dignified woman. She is unlike anyone Elizabeth has even seen before. Could she actually be an African princess? Virginia Hamilton has won a Newbery Medal and the Hans Christian Anderson Award for her books for young readers. In Zeely, she twines lessons about individuality and courage into a fascinating story of a young girl's discovery. Award-winning actress Lynne Thigpen provides the perfect voices for both the curious Elizabeth and the mysterious Zeely.

Virginia Hamilton (Author), Lynne Thigpen (Narrator)

Audiobook

Jake, Reinvented

New kid Jake Garrett seems to have it all figured out. He's a star athlete, he hosts the best parties, and every girl in school wants to date him. But who is Jake Garrett, really? And why has he gone to all the trouble to reinvent himself? Gordon Korman's brilliant and intense writing and cutting edge dialogue quickly draw readers into the adolescent struggle of popularity and acceptance.

Gordon Korman (Author), James Colby (Narrator)

Audiobook

Itch

Book Sense Pick author Michelle D. Kwasney delivers this compelling coming-of-age story about a sixth-grade girl who struggles with the swirling effects of change on her family and friendships. It's 1968, and "Itch" Colchester loves everything about her home in rural Florida. But she especially loves Gramps-with his quiet wisdom and loving understanding. That's why it hurts so much when Gram finds him dead one morning. It also hurts to leave the piney woods of Beaver Creek for a double-wide trailer in Cousin Effie's small town Ohio.

Michelle D. Kwasney (Author), Angela Jayne Rogers (Narrator)

Audiobook

Light of Day

From the author of On the Edge and Snitch comes a dangerous, sexy novel perfect for fans of Simone Elkeles. When Gabby Perez is almost drugged at a nightclub, she decides to take action. Teaming up with a mysterious stranger known as X, the two go after a gang who is drugging and kidnapping innocent girls off the Miami streets and forcing them into prostitution. As their search deepens, Gabby and X can't ignore their undeniable attraction to each other. Then Gabby discovers the truth about who X really is and the danger that surrounds him. Can their love survive the light of day? Light of Day is set in the same world as On the Edge (readers will recognize some of their favorite characters in this book) and features a diverse cast. With romance, action, and realistic friendships, this is a gripping story about finding out where you belong, discovering the power to make a difference, and finding true love along the way.

Allison Van Diepen (Author), Marisol Ramirez (Narrator)

Audiobook

VIP: I'm With the Band

Twelve-year-old Mackenzie "Mac" Lowell's dreams are about to come true. Thanks to her mom scoring the coolest job EVER, Mac is going from boy band fanatic to official tour member of her favorite group, Perfect Storm. Thankfully she's brought along her journal so she can record every moment, every breath, and every one of lead singer Zander Welling's killer smiles in written detail and doodles throughout the pages. But between a zillion tour stops and pranks-gone-wrong, Zander and his fellow band members Heath and Kyle become more like brothers to Mac. Which makes it all the worse when the boys' differences start to drive them apart. Can Perfect Storm's biggest fan remind them why they're perfect together? It'll be up to Mac--and her comic book alter-ego Mac Attack--to keep the band together and on the road to stardom. Chronicling her experiences on tour, Mac's journal springs to life with black-and-white illustrations and comic book panels throughout its pages.

Jen Calonita (Author), Tara Sands (Narrator)

Audiobook

Bad Luck

The plot thickens in the brilliant sequel to Bad Magic! At Earth Ranch, things can get a little magical (some might say strange). Intrepid readers will discover a runaway boy, fishy cruise ship, strange cave paintings, dragon-like footprints, and other mysteries that Clay and his friends need to solve. Danger, adventure, mischief, mystery, llamas, and a delightfully irreverent and hilarious narrator make bestselling author Pseudonymous Bosch's anticipated new novel irresistible.

Pseudonymous Bosch (Author), Aaron Landon (Narrator)

Audiobook

Big Al

In all the wide blue sea, there's not a nicer fish than Big Al-or one more lonely. He wants nothing more than to make as many friends as he can, but when the other fish look at Big Al, all they see is how scary he looks and how sharp his teeth are. Then one day, a net drops down from above and catches many little fish. It's up to Big Al to come to the rescue! This frisky tale from the best-selling author of the Jake Drake books is sure to help young readers understand that it's what is inside that counts.

Andrew Clements (Author), Kevin R. Free (Narrator)

Audiobook

Big Al and Shrimpy

In the whole wide blue sea, there's not a fish as clever as Shrimpy. But poor Shrimpy is so small that no one wants to be his friend. Then one day Shrimpy becomes best friends with Big Al, the most popular fish of all. With Big Al beside him, Shrimpy always has plenty to eat, and he gets to swim to wonderful new places. But when Big Al swims too close to the edge of the Big Deep, it's up to clever Shrimpy to save the day. Andrew Clements, author of the popular Jake Drake series, has created a tale of fish and friendship that is sure to please all beginning readers.

Andrew Clements (Author), Kevin R. Free (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Conch Bearer

In a dingy shack in the less-than-desirable Indian neighborhood he calls home, 12-year-old Anand is entrusted with a conch shell that possesses mystical powers. His task is to return the shell to its rightful home many hundreds of miles away. Accompanying him are Nisha, a headstrong but resourceful child of the streets, and a mysterious man of indeterminate age and surprising resources named Abadhyatta. His quest will take him farther from home than he's ever been and will teach him more than he ever imagined - and it will force him to make a poignant decision that will change him forever.

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (Author), Alan Cumming (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Amber Brown Collection III: #7 Amber Brown Is Feeling Blue; #8 I, Amber Brown; #9 Amber Brown is

Join Amber Brown on three more of her hilarious adventures—Amber Brown Is Feeling Blue; I, Amber Brown; and Amber Brown is Green with Envy. In all three stories Amber continues to deal with her parents' divorce and the changes that it has caused in her life.

Paula Danziger (Author), Dana Lubotsky (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Tiny Piece of Sky

THE SUMMER STORY OF THREE SISTERS, ONE RESTUARANT, AND A (POSSIBLE) GERMAN SPY World War II is coming in Europe. At least that"s what Frankie Baum heard on the radio. But from her small town in Maryland, in the wilting summer heat of 1939, the war is a world away. Besides, there are too many other things to think about: first that Frankie"s father up and bought a restaurant without telling anyone and now she has to help in the kitchen, peeling potatoes and washing dishes, when she"d rather be racing to Wexler"s Five and Dime on her skates. Plus her favorite sister, Joanie Baloney, is away for the summer and hasn"t been answering any of Frankie"s letters. But when some people in town start accusing her father of being a German spy, all of a sudden the war arrives at Frankie"s feet and she can think of nothing else. Could the rumors be true? Frankie has to do some spying of her own to try to figure out her father"s secrets and clear his good name. What she discovers about him surprises everyone, but is nothing compared to what she discovers about the world. In a heartfelt, charming, and insightful novel that is based on true events, Shawn K. Stout weaves a story about family secrets, intolerance, and coming of age that will keep readers guessing until the end. Includes a note read by the author Advance praise forA Tiny Piece of Sky: "Shawn Stout's Frankie Baum is that rare creation: a character so real, so true, we don't just feel we know her-we are her. Irrepressible Frankie meets issues like prejudice and loyalty head on, in a story both highly entertaining and deeply thought-provoking. She may be #3 in her family, but she'll be #1 in the hearts of all who read this book."-Tricia Springstubb, author ofWhat Happened on Fox Street "At turns hilarious, at turns heartbreaking, Shawn Stout"s story shows us the damage that a whisper campaign can do to a family and a community, and at the same time shows us, each of us, a way to find our hearts. Frankie Baum is a hero from a distant time and yet a hero for all times, the kind of hero who never gets old. I loved this book from the very beginning to the very end."-Kathi Appelt, author of the National Book Award finalist and Newbery Honor book The Underneath 'Stout uses an archly chummy direct address at several points, successfully and humorously breaking up tension in this cleareyed look at bad behavior by society....Successfully warmhearted and child-centered.'-Kirkus Reviews From the Compact Disc edition.

Shawn K. Stout (Author), Shawn K. Stout, Tara Sands (Narrator)

Audiobook