Historical Audiobooks

Talking Leaves

A new work of historical fiction about Sequoyah and the creation of the Cherokee alphabet, from the acclaimed author of Code Talker Thirteen-year-old Uwohali has not seen his father, Sequoyah, for many years. So when Sequoyah returns to the village, Uwohali is eager to reconnect. But Sequoyah’s new obsession with making strange markings causes friends and neighbors in their tribe to wonder whether he is crazy, or worse—practicing witchcraft. What they don’t know, and what Uwohali discovers, is that Sequoyah is a genius and his strange markings are actually an alphabet representing the sounds of the Cherokee language. The story of one of the most important figures in Native American history is brought to life for middle grade readers.

Joseph Bruchac (Author), Joseph Bruchac (Narrator)

Audiobook

Brooklyn Rose

Historical fiction writer Ann Rinaldi has received the ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Brooklyn Rose is loosely based on the life of her own grandmother. Rose Frampton is content with life on her family's plantation in South Carolina, but the year 1900 brings many changes for the 15 year-old. She could never imagine that she would marry a Yankee and become the mistress of a New York City estate. Uprooted from the tranquil shores of Saint Helena's Island, she comes to know and love Rene, learns to make her own decisions, and finds an untapped inner strength.

Ann Rinaldi (Author), Kate Forbes (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Boys' War: Confederate and Union Soldiers Talk About the Civil War

We all know about the famous generals and the major battles of the Civil War. But for the soldiers who actually fought, the war was all too real. It was especially traumatic for the thousands of soldiers who ranged in age from 10 to 15. Some young soldiers joined the fray to escape the boredom of farm work or to "set the South straight." Many of them kept diaries and wrote letters home. Through their eyes, we see what life was like on the edge of chaos. Some of their writing describes the gruesome details of forced marches and deaths on the battlefield. Balanced with anecdotes of practical jokes they played on one another and interesting people they met, their stories touch our minds and hearts. Ed Sala's interpretation of this well-documented history brings the Civil War to life in a way that few historians could. These everyday details of the war, told in the straightforward language of the young, provide a moving, unforgettable history lesson.

Jim Murphy (Author), Ed Sala (Narrator)

Audiobook

Beautiful Blue World

Beautiful Blue World is a thrilling and moving story of children who become the key to winning a war. Sofarende is at war. For twelve-year-old Mathilde, it means food shortages, feuding neighbors, and bombings. Even so, as long as she and her best friend, Megs, are together, they 'll be all right. But the army is recruiting children, and paying families well for their service. If Megs takes the test, Mathilde knows she will pass. Megs hopes the army is the way to save her family. Mathilde fears it might separate them forever. This touching and suspenseful novel is a brilliant reimagining of war, where even kindness can be a weapon, and children have the power to see what adults cannot. Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, Outstanding Merit ILA-CBC Choices Reading Lists, Teacher 's Choice Junior Library Guild Selection Selected for the Kansas NEA Reading Circle Catalog Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award Master List

Suzanne LaFleur (Author), Christy Carlson Romano (Narrator)

Audiobook

Calico Captive

One early morning in 1754 an Indian raid on a small New Hampshire settlement shatters all young Miriam Willard's hopes and dreams. Suddenly she and her family are victims of the French and Indian War. Forced to march north to Canada, they will either be held captive by the Indians or sold to the French as slaves. After the nerve-wracking experience of running an Indian gauntlet, Miriam is sold to a wealthy French family in Montreal. Held captive for a ransom that may never arrive, she longs for the handsome young soldier she left behind. When her boldness and independence get her thrown out on to the hostile streets, she must use her wits to survive until she can find a way home. This Newbery Award-winning author of The Bronze Bow used the lives of real people to inspire her vibrant re-creations of history. Narrator Barbara Caruso captures the novel's compelling characters and strong sense of place to present an informative and insightful history lesson.

Elizabeth George Speare (Author), Barbara Caruso (Narrator)

Audiobook

Trouble at Fort La Pointe

In order for Suzette's papa to stay with his Ojibwe family year round, he must win the fur-trapping competition at Fort La Pointe Island in Lake Superior. But a troublemaker is sabotaging the competition-and making it seem like her papa's fault! To keep her family together, Suzette must use both her French and Ojibwe heritage to solve a dangerous mystery in this thrilling mix of historical fact and fiction.

Kathleen Ernst (Author), Carine Montbertrand (Narrator)

Audiobook

Knight Kyle and the Magic Silver Lance

Welcome to Knight Kyle's world! Beyond the great forest and towering Dragon Mountain lies Fairyland, a land of elves and trolls, dragons and giants, magicians and fairies. And in one corner, Fairyland East, lives Knight Kyle. Kyle's great-grandfather once possessed a silver lance that, according to legend, gave its owner invincible power. The lance is now missing, and Kyle is always looking for it, but so are his worst enemies: the robber Rasputin and the evil magician Balduin. Luckily, Kyle has the help of his friends, including Lady Constance (who is as brave as a dragon), Dragobert (who really is a dragon), Elf Aurin (whose harp playing, unfortunately, puts Kyle to sleep), and Prince Nepomuk (who protects his friends and his wardrobe at all times). Almost every day they find themselves in a new amazing adventure....

Oliver Pötzsch (Author), Michael Page (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

War in the Middle East: A Reporter's Story: Black September and the Yom Kippur War

New York Times editor and critic Wilborn Hampton is the acclaimed author of gripping narratives like Kennedy Assassination, Meltdown, and September 11, 2001. In War in the Middle East, the veteran journalist offers a fascinating account of his early 1970s reports from the volatile desert region amidst Black September and the Yom Kippur War. This insider's view of life in a war zone shows Hampton trying to write stories inside a besieged hotel with no electricity or water as fighting rages all around. Hitching rides with reluctant taxi drivers and soldiers, he witnesses aerial dogfights, tank skirmishes, and summary executions. Hampton also explores the origins of these religious and territorial disputes and evaluates their impact on the changing political landscape. With the Gaza Strip, suicide bombers, and Hamas continuing to dominate the headlines, this audiobook is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to understand more clearly the ongoing Middle Eastern turmoil.

Wilborn Hampton (Author), Tom Stechschulte (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Discusses the 1911 fire that killed 146 New York garment factory workers, the conditions that led up to it, and some of the legislation that came about to prevent the occurrence of similar disasters.

Michelle Houle (Author), Nelson Runger (Narrator)

Audiobook

So You Want to be President?

Have you ever thought about being President of the United States? There are good things and bad things about the job. One good thing is you get to live in a giant house with a movie theater, swimming pool, and even a bowling alley! But on the other hand, sometimes people don't like Presidents. Once, somebody was so angry he threw a cabbage at President William Howard Taft. Are you smart enough to be President? Thomas Jefferson was an expert on politics, law, music, geography, and more--plus he played the violin, founded the University of Virginia, and designed his own mansion. But nine Presidents never even went to college, including Abraham Lincoln. Andrew Johnson didn't even know how to write until after he was married! Award-winning author Judith St. George's book is a humorous and informative look at America's highest office. Learning about the Presidents has never been more entertaining than with Brian Keeler's lively narration.

Judith St. George (Author), Brian Keeler (Narrator)

Audiobook

Oh Yikes! History's Grossest Moments

History is chock full of characters and events that could turn your hair white. From rampaging pirates to raunchy monarchs, Oh Yikes! has thrilling stories to spare about history's wildest, scariest moments. Did you know the Aztecs performed many human sacrifices? And that's not all-did you know that Christopher Columbus didn't just discover the New World so that your local car dealer could have a major sale? He was actually looking for spices. Instead he ended up enslaving and killing the natives he met. And there's plenty more madness and mayhem to be found as you explore the samurai world of ancient Japan, pirates on the high seas, and perhaps history's most notorious womanizing monarch, Henry VIII. Joy Masoff, the author of the perennial best-seller Oh, Yuck!), engages young readers with subjects that undeniably appeal to them-the bizarre, the gross, and the just plain nasty. Acclaimed narrator Johnny Heller gleefully reads this humorous and informative collection of odd tales.

Joy Masoff (Author), Johnny Heller (Narrator)

Audiobook