Historical Audiobooks

Pollyanna

When Pollyanna was published in 1913, it became an overnight success. It immediately sold over a million copies as young and old alike fell in love with the little freckled orphan girl and her spirited optimism. Many of Beldingsville's citizens are ill, misguided, and even despairing. The sparkling, ingenuous eleven-year-old who descends upon them with her 'glad game' gives them renewed hope and changes their lives forever. Then unexpected tragedy strikes, and Pollyanna can no longer find the silver lining in any cloud. Can a child's suffering possibly serve any purpose? Author Eleanor Porter wrote, " I have never believed that we ought to deny discomfort and pain and evil: I have merely thought that it is far better to greet the unknown with a cheer." With the added bonus of Barbara Caruso's skillful reading, even adult readers will be challenged to finish the book dry-eyed.

Eleanor H. Porter, Eleanor Porter (Author), Barbara Caruso (Narrator)

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Pontiac’s War and Little Turtle’s War: The History and Legacy of 18th Century America’s Most Famous

Throughout history, there have been men of war and men of peace, but few have actually had a war named after them. One of them was Pontiac, also known as Obwandiyag, an Odawa chief who left his mark on history by continuing the battle against the British after their official triumph during the French and Indian War. While modern historians question how important Pontiac’s role was in shaping America’s destiny, his leadership during Pontiac’s War was seen at that time as important enough to warrant significant articles and even a few 18th century books. Since these books were written by the British, or at least men who supported their cause, the descriptions of Pontiac were often not complimentary. Likewise, 19th century authors tended to portray him as something of an evil genius who plotted against the British and then drove his people into battle. Not surprisingly, 20th century scholarship depicted him differently, portraying Pontiac as an important leader who had more influence over his own local band of Native Americans than over some vast army. For the most part, the conflicts that followed consisted mostly of the Native Americans suffering defeat in the face of a better-equipped adversary, interspersed with binding treaties, which, on the side of the federal government, proved not very binding at all. Occasionally, however, there arose a Native American leader of such ability that such defeats were temporarily reversed, and Little Turtle, the war chief of the Miami tribe, was one such man. Under his leadership, a confederation of Miami and other tribes inflicted the worst defeat ever suffered by an American army in the newly independent nation. Almost a quarter of the Army’s total strength was lost in a single battle, but while later Native American leaders such as Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse have become legends, Little Turtle is not as well-remembered.

Charles River Editors (Author), Colin Fluxman (Narrator)

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Pony: from the bestselling author of Wonder

Brought to you by Puffin. The highly anticipated, unforgettable new story from the internationally bestselling, multi-award-winning author of WONDER. When Silas Bird wakes in the dead of night, he watches powerlessly as three strangers take his father away. Silas is left shaken, scared and alone, except for the presence of his companion, Mittenwool . . . who happens to be a ghost. But then a mysterious pony shows up at his door, and Silas knows what he has to do. So begins a perilous journey to find his father - a journey that will connect him with his past, his future, and the unknowable world around him. PONY is destined to become a future classic. © R.J. Palacio 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

R. J. Palacio (Author), Ian M. Hawkins, R. J. Palacio (Narrator)

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Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters, and other Wily Characters

Side-splittingly funny, spine-chillingly spooky, this companion to a Newbery Honor-winning anthology The Dark Thirty is filled with bad characters who know exactly how to charm. From the author's note that takes us back to McKissack's own childhood when she would listen to stories told on her front porch... to the captivating introductions to each tale, in which the storyteller introduces himself and sets the stage for what follows... to the ten entertaining tales themselves, here is a worthy successor to McKissack's The Dark Thirty. In 'The Best Lie Ever Told,' meet Dooley Hunter, a trickster who spins an enormous whopper at the State Liar's contest. In 'Aunt Gran and the Outlaws,' watch a little old lady slickster outsmart Frank and Jesse James. And in 'Cake Norris Lives On,' come face to face with a man some folks believe may have died up to twenty-seven different times! From the Hardcover edition.

Patricia McKissack (Author), Adenrele Ojo, Mirron Willis, Pamella D'Pella (Narrator)

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Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes

An inspiring tribute to Hispanic Americans who have made a positive impact on the world This visually stunning book showcases twenty Hispanic and Latino American men and women who have made outstanding contributions to the arts, politics, science, humanitarianism, and athletics. Gorgeous portraits complement sparkling biographies of Cesar Chavez, Sonia Sotomayor, Ellen Ochoa, Roberto Clemente, and many more. Complete with timelines and famous quotes, this tome is a magnificent homage to those who have shaped our nation. In this volume: Adelina Otero-Warren, Bernardo de Galvez, Cesar Chavez, David Farragut, Dennis Chavez, Desi Arnaz, Dolores Huerta, Ellen Ochoa, Helen Rodriguez Trias, Hero Street USA, Ignacio Lozano, Jaime Escalante, Joan Baez, Judy Baca, Julia de Burgos, Luis Alvarez, Rita Moreno, Roberte Clemente, Sonia Sotomayor, and Tomas Rivera

Juan Felipe Herrera (Author), Luis Moreno (Narrator)

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Practice Makes Perfect: Read with Highlights

Learn how a Greek mathemathician solved this problem long ago.

Lissa Rovetch (Author), Highlights For Children (Narrator)

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Prairie Lotus

Prairie Lotus is a powerful, touching, multilayered book about a girl determined to fit in and realize her dreams: getting an education, becoming a dressmaker in her father's shop, and making at least one friend. Acclaimed, award-winning author Linda Sue Park has placed a young half-Asian girl, Hanna, in a small town in America's heartland, in 1880. Hanna's adjustment to her new surroundings, which primarily means negotiating the townspeople's almost unanimous prejudice against Asians, is at the heart of the story. Told from the viewpoint of Hanna, the novel has poignant moments yet sparkles with humor, introducing a captivating heroine whose wry, observant voice will resonate with readers. Afterword. ★ 'Fans of the Little House books will find many of the small satisfactions of Laura's stories...here in abundance. Park brings new depth to these well-trodden tales, though, as she renders visible both the xenophobia of the town's white residents, which ranges in expression from microaggressions to full-out assault, and Hanna's fight to overcome it with empathy and dignity.... Remarkable.' --Kirkus, STARRED review

Linda Sue Park (Author), Emily Woo Zeller (Narrator)

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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)

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Prehistoric Warfare: The History of Early Human Conflicts

Most scientists believe the evolution of humans has a history nearly as long as life itself. Anatomically modern humans and all other life that has existed on the planet first came about from the single-celled microorganisms that emerged approximately 4 billion years ago. Through the processes of mutation and natural selection, all forms of life developed, and this continuous lineage of life makes it difficult to say precisely when one species completely separates from another. In other words, scientists still debate when a human became a human rather than the ancestor species that came before. Among paleontologists, the question of human propensity for warfare in prehistoric eons has persisted. Primitive conflict that in time grew into a modern military phenomenon has become an increasing avenue of study. Scientists seek to ascertain whether the distant ancestral line of humans is genetically disposed toward the act of war, or whether social and geographical development have created a circumstantial environment for large-scale societal collisions.  Depictions of humans pierced with arrows began to appear in the Aurignacian-Périgordian eras (30,000 years ago), and in the early Magdalenian era (17,000 years ago). A work of Mesolithic art (20,000 to 10,000 years ago) shows an explicit battle between groups of archers, and in Valencia, a group of three archers are seen surrounded by four of the similarly armed enemy in the Cova del Roure la Vella in Castellón. In the Ares del Maestrat in Alcañiz of Aragon, another work depicts warriors fleeing a group of eight archers, while a similar work at Val del Charco del Agua in Aragon shows seven archers with plumed headgear. Other examples show warriors in lines and columns with a “distinctly garbed leader at the front.” In a sense, it’s entirely reasonable to believe that the earliest people were violent and engaged in warfare the same way people did throughout more recent eras. 

Charles River Editors (Author), Ryan Durham (Narrator)

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Premeditated Myrtle

TWELVE-YEAR-OLD MYRTLE HARDCASTLE has a passion for justice and a Highly Unconventional obsession with criminal science. Armed with her father's law books and her mum's microscope, Myrtle studies toxicology, keeps abreast of the latest developments in crime scene analysis, and Observes her neighbors in the quiet village of Swinburne, England. When her next-door neighbor, a wealthy spinster and eccentric breeder of rare flowers, dies under Mysterious Circumstances, Myrtle is sure Miss Wodehouse has been murdered. With her unflappable governess, Miss Ada Judson, by her side, Myrtle takes it upon herself to prove the crime and find Miss Wodehouse's killer. With sparkling wit and a tight, twisty plot, Premeditated Myrtle, the first in a series from an award-winning author, introduces a brilliant young investigator. Myrtle is more than ready to take on hard cases and maddening Victorian rules for Young Ladies of Quality in order to earn her place among the most daring and acclaimed amateur detectives of her time ... or any other.

Elizabeth C. Bunce (Author), Bethan Rose Young, Bethan Rose Young (Narrator)

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President

The president is the leader of the United States! This person is tasked with making important decisions for the nation. In this text, leveled text and relevant photos introduce beginning readers to the basics about the duties of this civil servant. Special features include a job requirements graphic, a chart showing the branches of government, and a question for readers to consider.

Kirsten Chang (Author), Dana Fleming (Narrator)

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Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice is a key title for the new Naxos AudioBooks series 'Young Adult Classics'. An abridged recording with music makes this Regency novel much more accessible to the 21st century young adult keen to get to grips with the classics. Pride and Prejudice is a leading title for 'Young Adult Classics', being one of the pillars of English Literature, and Jenny Agutter's friendly reading bridges the gap between the films and the book. Comes with an embedded CD-ROM containing A Study Guide and both the abridged and unabridged text.

Jane Austen (Author), Alan Smyth, Jenny Agutter, Nicolas Soames (Narrator)

Audiobook