Historical Audiobooks

Duke

A poignant World War II story about a boy and his dog and his dad, and the many meanings of bravery, from Newbery Honor author Kirby Larson. With World War II raging and his father fighting overseas in Europe, eleven-year-old Hobie Hanson is determined to do his part to help his family and his country, even if it means giving up his beloved German shepherd, Duke. Hoping to help end the war and bring his dad home faster, Hobie decides to donate Duke to Dogs for Defense, an organization that urges Americans to "loan" their pets to the military to act as sentries, mine sniffers, and patrol dogs. Hobie immediately regrets his decision and tries everything he can to get Duke back, even jeopardizing his friendship with the new boy at school. But when his father is taken prisoner by the Germans, Hobie realizes he must let Duke go and reach deep within himself to be brave. Will Hobie ever see Duke, or his father, again? With powerful storytelling and gripping emotion, critically acclaimed author Kirby Larson explores the many ways bravery and love help us to weather the most difficult times.

Kirby Larson (Author), Jonah Von Spreecken (Narrator)

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Allies & Assassins

Sixteen-year-old Jared is the newly crowned Prince of All Archenfield, ascending the throne after his older brother's mysterious death. But Jared feels reluctant and unprepared to rule the Princedom and its dangerous and powerful court. Like each Prince of All Archenfield before him, Jared must rely on the Council of Twelve to advise him. But he knows he can just as easily be at their mercy--especially when it appears that one of the Twelve might have orchestrated his brother's untimely death. Propelled by his rage over the loss of his brother and wary of all his advisors, Jared can trust only Asta: a clever, strong-willed girl from the settlements, currently serving as the Physician's apprentice. Asta and Jared take it upon themselves to hunt down his brother's assassin--though the assassin may be hunting them, as well. Murder, betrayal, and intrigue abound in Justin Somper's thrilling YA series debut. Exploring the political machinations of the medieval-esque court and the lives that hang in the balance, Allies & Assassins is a gripping tale of a teen torn between duty and revenge.

Justin Somper (Author), Jack Hawkins (Narrator)

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D-Day: The Invasion of Normandy, 1944

D-Day marked the beginning of the end of World War II. It started the Battle of Normandy, which resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany's control. Atkinson skillfully guides his audience through the events leading up to, and of, the momentous day. Whether a history buff or a newcomer to the topic, young readers will appreciate the author's clear and accessible prose, as well as the many fascinating facts and statistics.

Rick Atkinson (Author), Jason Culp, Peter Larkin (Narrator)

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Salt: A Story of Friendship in a Time of War

Anikwa and James, twelve years old in 1812, spend their days fishing, trapping, and exploring together in the forests of the Indiana Territory. To Anikwa and his family, members of the Miami tribe, this land has been home for centuries. As traders, James's family has ties to the Miami community as well as to the American soldiers in the fort. Now tensions are rising--the British and American armies prepare to meet at Fort Wayne for a crucial battle, and Native Americans from surrounding tribes gather in Kekionga to protect their homeland. After trading stops and precious commodities, like salt, are withheld, the fort comes under siege, and war ravages the land. James and Anikwa, like everyone around them, must decide where their deepest loyalties lie. Can their families--and their friendship--survive? In "Salt, "Printz Honor author Helen Frost offers a compelling look at a difficult time in history. "[Readers] will come away with heightened sympathy for non-combatants caught up in the course of violent change."-- The Wall Street Journal, "Sensitive and smart: a poetic vista for historical insight as well as cultural awareness." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Helen Frost (Author), Michael Bakkensen, Tandy Cronyn, Tom Picasso (Narrator)

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Torn

Afghanistan. In the heat and dust, young British army medic Elinor Nielson watches an Afghan girl walk into a hail of bullets. But when she runs to help, Ellie finds her gone. Who is she? And what's happened to her? What Ellie discovers makes her question everything she believes in even her feelings for the American lieutenant who takes her side.

David Massey (Author), Saskia Maarleveld (Narrator)

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Seeing Red

National Book Award winner Kathryn Erskine delivers a powerful story of family, friendship, and race relations in the South. Life will never be the same for Red Porter. He's a kid growing up around black car grease, white fence paint, and the backward attitudes of the folks who live in his hometown, Rocky Gap, Virginia. Red's daddy, his idol, has just died, leaving Red and Mama with some hard decisions and a whole lot of doubt. Should they sell the Porter family business, a gas station, repair shop, and convenience store rolled into one, where the slogan -- "Porter's: We Fix it Right!" -- has been shouting the family's pride for as long as anyone can remember? With Daddy gone, everything's different. Through his friendship with Thomas, Beau, and Miss Georgia, Red starts to see there's a lot more than car motors and rusty fenders that need fixing in his world. When Red discovers the injustices that have been happening in Rocky Gap since before he was born, he's faced with unsettling questions about his family's legacy.

Kathryn Erskine (Author), Michael Bakkensen (Narrator)

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Knight Quest

Join Tom on an incredible treasure hunt through time and battle history's mightiest warriors. The second book in a new time-travelling series - perfect for fans of Beast Quest.When ten-year-old Tom accidentally smashes a statue in a museum he releases Isis, a young Egyptian mummy who has been imprisoned for thousands of years. To break an ancient curse, the duo must travel back in time to find six hidden amulets - battling Gladiators, Knights, Greeks, Vikings, Pirates and Egyptian Warriors!On their second quest, Tom and Isis meet King Arthur's heroic knights! They must prove their bravery in a race to find a legendary golden sword!FREE collectable Gaming Cards and fascinating facts with every book!

Chris Blake (Author), Oliver Hembrough, Oliver J Hembrough (Narrator)

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P.K. Pinkerton and the Pistol-Packing Widows

Winning hearts and rave reviews, master-of-disguise P.K. Pinkerton returns to the Wild West in the best adventure yet! P.K. Pinkerton’s detective agency is thriving in Virginia City—until the evening P.K. is abruptly stuffed into a turnip sack and tossed into the back of a wagon! Surfacing in Chinatown, P.K. is forced into taking a job trailing the abductor’s fiancé in Carson City. Danger lurks at every turn. P.K. must battle quicksand, escape the despicable former Deputy Marshall, Jack Williams, and save Poker Face Jace from certain death at the hands of the fatal “Black Widow,” who is courting P.K.’s friend and mentor. Master-of-disguise P.K. Pinkerton has almost perfected the art of staying hidden in plain sight, but when the stakes become life or death, the only thing that can save the young detective is to give away the biggest secret of all.

Caroline Lawrence (Author), T. Sands (Narrator)

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Stay Where You Are And Then Leave

The day the First World War broke out, Alfie Summerfield's father promised he wouldn't go away to fight-but he broke that promise the following day. Four years later, Alfie doesn't know where his father might be, other than that he's away on a special, secret mission. Then, while shining shoes at King's Cross Station, Alfie unexpectedly sees his father's name on a sheaf of papers belonging to a military doctor. Bewildered and confused, Alfie realizes his father is in a hospital close by-a hospital treating soldiers with shell shock. Alfie isn't sure what shell shock is, but he is determined to rescue his father from this strange, unnerving place. . . .

John Boyne (Author), Euan Morton (Narrator)

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Rush Revere and the First Patriots: Time-Travel Adventures With Exceptional Americans

Rush Revere rides again! Saddle up with Rush Limbaugh's really good pal for a new time-travel adventure."Whoa there, young historians! Before we go rush, rush, rushing off anywhere, I'd like a moment. I'm Liberty, Rush Revere's loquacious equine companion-his trusty talking horse! Always at the ready to leap from the twenty-first century into America's past, that's me. When he says 'Let's go!' I'm so there. I'm jazzed, I'm psyched, I'm-""Ah, excuse me, Liberty?""Yeah, Rush?""Usually you say 'oh no, not again!' and 'while we're in colonial Boston, can I try the baked beans?'""Okay, fine-you do the talking. I'll just be over here, if you need me...."Well, he's sulking now, but I couldn't be your tour guide across time without Liberty! His name says it all: the freedom we celebrate every July Fourth with fireworks and hot dogs (and maybe some of those baked beans). But how did America get free? How did thirteen newborn colonies tell the British king where he could stick his unfair taxes?Jump into the bustling streets of Boston in 1765, where talk of revolution is growing louder. I said LOUDER. You'll have to SHOUT to be heard over the angry cries of "Down with the king!" and "Repeal the Stamp Act!" that fill the air. You'll meet fierce supporters of liberty like Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and my idol, Paul Revere, as they fearlessly defy British rule. It's an exciting, dangerous, turbulent, thrilling time to be an American...and exceptional young patriots like you won't want to miss a minute. Let's ride!

Rush Limbaugh (Author), Rush Limbaugh (Narrator)

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Under the Freedom Tree

Taut free verse tells the little-known story of the first contraband camp of the Civil War--seen by some historians as the "beginning of the end of slavery in America." One night in 1861, three escaped slaves made their way from the Confederate line to a Union-held fort. The runaways were declared "contraband of war" and granted protection. As word spread, thousands of runaway slaves poured into the fort, seeking their freedom. These "contrabands" made a home for themselves, building the first African American community in the country. In 1863, they bore witness to one of the first readings of the Emancipation Proclamation in the South--beneath the sheltering branches of the tree now known as Emancipation Oak.

Susan VanHecke (Author), Myra Lucretia Taylor (Narrator)

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The Last Viking

The Viking invaders have arrived to make Ellie and her fellow villagers slaves! But nobody at the monastery where she and her brother, Symeon, live, will believe that they are under attack! Will they be able to outwit the raiders and escape? Terry Deary is the author of the bestselling Horrible Histories series

Terry Deary (Author), Huw Parmenter (Narrator)

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