Health & Family Audiobooks

The Mystery

When an old man in an even older house dies mysteriously, twins Jack and Jaide Shield find themselves drawn into a dangerous treasure hunt in some deep, dark places. Jack and Jaide are troubletwisters-gifted with magic and cursed by The Evil, a force that will stop at nothing to destroy their world. The old house holds something very important to The Evil-and Jack and Jaide must race to find it, even though they don't know what it looks like or where it is. Jack and Jaide aren't the only ones searching for the treasure. And as the mystery gets bigger and bigger, they're not sure who they can trust. Even friends are beginning to act suspicious. And their father, who should be their strongest ally, is leading them into treacherous territory. At the heart of all magic is mystery, and at the heart of this mystery is nothing less than the key to controlling magic. It's going to take the two troubletwisters to the edge of their Gifts in order to figure this one out.

Garth Nix, Sean Williams (Author), Stanley McGeagh  (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Poet's Dog

From Newbery Medal winner Patricia MacLachlan comes a poignant story about two children, a poet, and a dog and how they help one another survive loss and recapture love. Teddy is a gifted dog. Raised in a cabin by a poet named Sylvan, he grew up listening to sonnets read aloud and the comforting clicking of a keyboard. Although Teddy understands words, Sylvan always told him there are only two kinds of people in the world who can hear Teddy speak: poets and children. Then one day Teddy learns that Sylvan was right. When Teddy finds Nickel and Flora trapped in a snowstorm, he tells them that he will bring them home—and they understand him. The children are afraid of the howling wind, but not of Teddy’s words. They follow him to a cabin in the woods, where the dog used to live with Sylvan . . . only now his owner is gone. As they hole up in the cabin for shelter, Teddy is flooded with memories of Sylvan. What will Teddy do when his new friends go home? Can they help one another find what they have lost?

Patricia MacLachlan (Author), Michael Curran-Dorsano (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Darkest Dark

Inspired by the childhood of real-life astronaut Chris Hadfield and brought to life by Terry and Eric Fan's lush, evocative illustrations, The Darkest Dark will encourage readers to dream the impossible. Chris loves rockets and planets and pretending he's a brave astronaut, exploring the universe. Only one problem--at night, Chris doesn't feel so brave. He's afraid of the dark. But when he watches the groundbreaking moon landing on TV, he realizes that space is the darkest dark there is--and the dark is beautiful and exciting, especially when you have big dreams to keep you company. *Contact Customer Service for additional Content*

Chris Hadfield (Author), Chris Hadfield, Eric Fan (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Secret Horses of Briar Hill

"Deserves a spot on the shelf next to the most beloved children's classics—yes, even The Secret Garden." —Shelf Awareness, Starred Review Described as "reminiscent of the Chronicles of Narnia" in a starred review, The Secret Horses of Briar Hill shows readers everywhere that there is color in our world—they just need to know where to look. There are winged horses that live in the mirrors of Briar Hill hospital—the mirrors that reflect the elegant rooms once home to a princess, now filled with sick children. Only Emmaline can see the creatures. It is her secret. One morning, Emmaline climbs over the wall of the hospital’s abandoned gardens and discovers something incredible: a white horse with a broken wing has left the mirror-world and entered her own. The horse, named Foxfire, is hiding from a dark and sinister force—a Black Horse who hunts by colorless moonlight. If Emmaline is to keep him from finding her new friend, she must surround Foxfire with treasures of brilliant shades. But where can Emmaline find color in a world of gray? A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2016 "Endearing characters, metaphors for life and death, and a slow revelation of the horrors of war give this slim novel a surprising amount of heft."—Booklist, Starred Review "In clear, gripping, flawless prose . . . this exquisite, beautifully illustrated middle-grade novel explodes with raw anguish, magic and hope, and readers will clutch it to their chests and not want to let go."—Shelf Awareness, Starred Review "Reminiscent of the Chronicles of Narnia, Elizabeth Goudge, or a child's version of Life of Pi. . . . Readers will love this to pieces." —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review "Magical, terrifying, and full of heart. Open these pages, and ride true."—Newbery Honor-winning author Kathi Appelt "A remarkable book. Astonishing!"—Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse

Megan Shepherd (Author), Fiona Hardingham (Narrator)

Audiobook

Wild Boy: A Tale of Rowan Hood

Nancy Springer is a two-time recipient of the Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Mystery. Her beloved Rowan Hood books are favorites of young readers. Wild Boy, the fourth book of the series, tells the story of Rook-a feral, homeless orphan who stalks Sherwood Forest like a wild animal. Ever since the Sheriff of Nottingham killed his father, Rook has screamed for vengeance. Now with the evil Sheriff 's son caught in one of his man-traps, Rook may finally get the chance to exact his revenge.

Nancy Springer (Author), Emily Gray (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Astronaut Instruction Manual: Practical Skills for Future Space Explorers

Endorsed by authors, teachers, scientists and Congressmen, Mike Mongo's Astronaut Instruction Manual for Pre-Teens excites a new generation of space explorers. The audiobook, designed for children between the ages of 8 and 13, is a functioning, first-step instruction manual. With excitement and honesty, Mongo encourages his readers to articulate and personalize their own vision of next-generation space travel. Driven in part by new space celebrities (Commander Chris Hadfield, Elon Musk, Alyssa Carson), and in part by a shift in popular interest in space (SpaceX rockets, Guardians of the Galaxy movie, Kerbal Space Program videogaming), The Astronaut Instruction Manual for Pre-Teens captures a new era of enthusiasm for space exploration. From the Audiobook Download edition.

Mike Mongo (Author), Alyssa Carson, Mike Mongo (Narrator)

Audiobook

Swarm

X-Men meets Heroes when New York Times bestselling author Scott Westerfeld teams up with award-winning authors Margo Lanagan and Deborah Biancotti in the second book of an explosive new trilogy about a group of teens with amazing abilities. They thought they’d already faced their toughest fight. But there’s no relaxing for the reunited Zeroes. These six teens with unique abilities have taken on bank robbers, drug dealers and mobsters. Now they're trying to lay low so they can get their new illegal nightclub off the ground. But the quiet doesn’t last long when two strangers come to town, bringing with them a whole different kind of crowd-based chaos. And hot on their tails is a crowd-power even more dangerous and sinister. Up against these new enemies, every Zero is under threat. Mob is crippled by the killing-crowd buzz—is she really evil at her core? Flicker is forced to watch the worst things a crowd can do. Crash’s conscience—and her heart—get a workout. Anon and Scam must both put family loyalties on the line for the sake of survival. And Bellwether’s glorious-leader mojo deserts him. Who’s left to lead the Zeroes into battle against a new, murderous army?

Scott Westerfeld (Author), Margo Lanagan (Narrator)

Audiobook

When Dad Killed Mom

Siblings Jenna and Jeremy have known for a long time that their parents don't get along. They find out just how bad it is when they are pulled out of class and told their father just shot and killed their mother. Jenna was always her father's favorite, while Jeremy was his mother's. Now a painful silence has fallen between them. They have trouble agreeing on just about everything at a time when they need each other more than ever. Where are they going to live? Who is going to take care of them? Can they have a relationship with their imprisoned father? Author Julius Lester handles difficult topics with grace and sensitivity. His To Be a Slave was a Newbery Honor Book and a New York Times Book of the Year. Uncompromisingly honest, When Dad Killed Mom is sometimes painful, and perhaps Lester's most moving novel. The emotional depth is enhanced by a skilled dual narration.

Julius Lester (Author), Jeff Woodman (Narrator)

Audiobook

Zelda and Ivy

Playful and full of humor, Zelda and Ivy is a true to- life glimpse at sibling relations from acclaimed children's author Laura McGee Kvasnosky. Zelda may be only a little older than her sister Ivy, but that means she's the boss.When they decide to play circus, Zelda convinces Ivy to be the trapeze artist. Can you imagine what happens next?

Laura McGee Kvasnosky (Author), Jenny Selig (Narrator)

Audiobook

Journey's End

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins brings us a riveting middle grade fantasy-adventure, perfect for fans of Lisa Graff. The town of Journey's End may not literally be at the end of the world, but it sure feels like it to Nolie Stanhope. Spending the summer with her scientist father in the tiny Scottish village isn't exactly Nolie's idea of a good time, but she soon finds a friend: native Journey's Ender Bel McKissick. While Nolie's father came to Journey's End to study the Boundary--a mysterious fog bank offshore--Bel's family can't afford to consider it a threat. The McKissick's livelihood depends on the tourists drawn by legends of a curse. Still, whether you believe in magic or science, going into the Boundary means you'll never come back. ...Unless you do. Albert Etheridge, a boy who disappeared into the Boundary in 1914, suddenly returns--without having aged a day and with no memory of the past hundred years. Then the Boundary starts creeping closer to the town, threatening to consume everyone within. While Nolie's father wants to have the village evacuated, Bel's parents lead the charge to stay in Journey's End. Meanwhile, Albert and the girls look for ways to stop the encroaching boundary, coming across an ancient Scottish spell that requires magic, a quest, and a sacrifice. From the Hardcover edition.

Rachel Hawkins (Author), Saskia Maarleveld (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones

Award-winning author Wendelin Van Draanen gives us a fresh and funny story about a boy learning to become the brave hero of his own life. Perfect for fans of Counting by 7s and The Fourteenth Goldfish. My secret life is filled with psychic vampires, wheelchair zombies, chain-rattlin’ ghosts, and a one-eyed cat. But they’re nothing compared to my real-life stalker: a sixth-grade girl named Kandi Kain. . . . Lincoln Jones is always working on the latest story he’s got going in his notebook. Those stories are his refuge. A place where the hero always prevails and the bad guy goes to jail. Real life is messy and complicated, so Lincoln sticks to fiction and keeps to himself. Which works fine until a nosy girl at his new school starts prying into his private business. She wants to know what he’s writing, where he disappears to after school, and why he never talks to anybody. . . . The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones is a terrifically funny and poignant story about a boy finding the courage to get to know the real characters all around him—and to let them know him. Praise for The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones: "Van Draanen's engaging story is characterized by clever writing, a palpable affection for her characters, and a deep understanding of what's important about life. Readers will love Lincoln Jones."—Kirkus Reviews "Van Draanen skillfully wraps up her tale, offering a realistically happy ending. A story with a perfect balance of mirth and poignancy." -- School Library Journal "Lincoln is a delightful narrator." -- Booklist From the Hardcover edition.

Wendelin Van Draanen (Author), JB Adkins (Narrator)

Audiobook

Making Friends with Billy Wong

A powerful story set in small-town Arkansas in 1955 that illuminates the friendship surrounding the arrival of Chinese immigrants in the segregated south. Azalea is not happy about being dropped off to care for Grandmother Clark. Paris Junction is nothing like her Texas hometown. And now she's been thrown together with, troubled Willis DeLoach, gossipy Melinda Bowman, and Billy Wong, a Chinese-American boy who has his own troubles. Billy's parents own the Lucky Foods grocery store, where days are long, and folks aren't always friendly. Inspired by the true stories of Chinese immigrants who came to the American south during the civil rights era, this poignant story reminds us all that home is where our hearts reside, and that friends can come to us in the most unexpected ways. This brilliantly nuanced novel is delivering a unique literary format. The story is told from two points of view: Billy Wong is rendered in clipped verse narratives that are interspersed with Azalea's emotionally expressive prose.

Augusta Scattergood (Author), Kate Simses, Todd Haberkorn (Narrator)

Audiobook