Audiobooks Narrated by Deepti Gupta

The Lady or Lion

"“He sunk his teeth into her heart and she let him.” As crown princess of Marghazar, Durkhanai Miangul will do anything to protect her people and her land. When her grandfather, the Badshah, is blamed for a deadly assault on the summit of neighboring leaders, the tribes call for his head. To assuage cries for war, the Badshah opens Marghazar's gates to foreigners for the first time in centuries, in a sign of good faith. His family has three months to prove their innocence, or they will all have war. As Durkhanai races to solve who really orchestrated the attack, ambassadors from the neighboring tribal districts arrive at court, each with their own intentions for negotiations, each with their own plans for advantage. When a mysterious illness spreads through the villages and the imperialists push hard on her borders, Durkhanai must dig deep to become more than just a beloved princess—she must become a queen. To distract Durkhanai from it all is Asfandyar Afridi, the wry ambassador who tells her outright he is a spy, yet acts as though he is her friend—or maybe even something more."

Aamna Qureshi (Author), Deepti Gupta (Narrator)

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The Man or Monster

"She made her decision. Now she has to live with it. Durkhanai Miangul sealed her lover’s fate when she sent him through a door where either a lady or a lion awaited him. But her decision was only the beginning of her troubles. Durkhanai worries that she might not be the queen her people need or deserve when conflict threatens her kingdom. Her presumed-dead father comes back with a vengeance and wishes she join him in his cause. But her family’s denial of his revenge forces Durkhanai to take matters into her own hands and she must decide whether to follow the traditions of her forefathers or forge a new path on her own."

Aamna Qureshi (Author), Deepti Gupta (Narrator)

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We Shall Be Monsters

"Frankenstein meets Indian mythology in this twisty, darkly atmospheric fantasy where the real horrors are not the monsters you face, but the ones you create. "One of the most unique and intelligent books I've read. . . Alluring, completely enthralling, and masterfully rendered." -Axie Oh, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea Kajal knows she is not a good person. If she were, she wouldn't selfishly be risking her sister's soul in a dangerous bid to bring her back to life. She would let Lasya rest in peace-but Kajal cannot stand the horror of living without her. As Kajal prepares for the resurrection, the worst happens: Her sister's soul warps into a bhuta-a murderous, wraith-like spirit-and Kajal gets sentenced to death for her sister's rampage. There seems little hope of escape until two strangers offer to free her. The catch: She must resurrect the kingdom's fallen crown prince to aid a growing rebellion against a tyrannical usurper. Desperate, Kajal rushes to complete her end of the deal . . . only to discover that the boy she's resurrected, Tav, is not the crown prince. Now Kajal-prickly, proud, admirer of the scientific method-must team up with Tav-stubborn, reticent, and fonder of swords than of books-to find the real crown prince. With only a scalpel and her undead dog, Kutaa, at her side, Kajal must work fast before her mistake is exposed or Lasya's bhuta turns its murderous fury on the person truly responsible for her death: Kajal herself."

Tara Sim (Author), Deepti Gupta (Narrator)

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I am Muhammad Ali

"The American boxing champ and vocal civil rights activist Muhammad Ali is the 27th hero in the New York Times bestselling picture book biography series for ages 5 to 8, adapted for audio. Muhammad Ali was the leading heavyweight boxer of the 20th century and a charismatic, beloved public figure. His objection to the military draft during the Vietnam War made him an icon for a generation, and his impact in sports and the Civil Rights movement is still felt today.   This friendly, fun biography series inspired the PBS Kids TV show Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. One great role model at a time, these audiobooks encourage kids to dream big. Included in each audiobook are:    • A timeline of key events in the hero's history       • Childhood moments that influenced the hero    • Facts that make great conversation-starters    • A character trait that made the person heroic and that readers can aspire to  You'll want to collect each audiobook in this dynamic, informative series!"

Brad Meltzer (Author), Barrett Leddy, Damian Thompson, Deepti Gupta, Eileen Stevens, Joshua Scarlett, Keylor Leigh, Leon Nixon, Mark Bramhall, Mirron Willis (Narrator)

Audiobook

I am Malala Yousafzai

"The youngest ever Nobel Prize laureate, Pakistani women's rights activist Malala Yousafzai, is the 26th hero in the New York Times bestselling picture book biography series for ages 5 to 8, adapted for audio. Malala Yousafzai won the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 17 for speaking out against injustice even when it was terrifying to do so. She was an ordinary Muslim girl who wanted to attend school, and she refused to stop protesting for her rights even after being attacked by a powerful group in Pakistan who wanted women to remain in the shadows. She continues to fight for women's rights and free education for children all over the world.   This friendly, fun biography series inspired the PBS Kids TV show Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. One great role model at a time, these books encourage kids to dream big. Included in each audiobook are:      • A timeline of key events in the hero's history    • Childhood moments that influenced the hero    • Facts that make great conversation-starters    • A character trait that made the person heroic and that readers can aspire to  You'll want to collect each audiobook in this dynamic, informative series!"

Brad Meltzer (Author), Danish Farooqui, Deepti Gupta, Kamran R. Khan, Keylor Leigh, Vidish Athavale, Zehra Fazal (Narrator)

Audiobook

Laxmi's Mooch

"A joyful, body-positive picture book, adapted for audio, about a young Indian American girl's journey to accept her body hair and celebrate her heritage after being teased about her mustache. Laxmi never paid much attention to the tiny hairs above her lip. But one day while playing farm animals at recess, her friends point out that her whiskers would make her the perfect cat. She starts to notice body hair all over--on her arms, legs, and even between her eyebrows. With her parents' help, Laxmi learns that hair isn't just for heads, but that it grows everywhere, regardless of gender. Laxmi's Mooch is a celebration of our bodies and our body hair, in whichever way they grow."

Shelly Anand (Author), Deepti Gupta (Narrator)

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A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology

"From the organization We Need Diverse Books and Dhonielle Clayton, the co-author of Blackout, comes a fantasy collection of short stories from a list of diverse, award-winning, and bestselling authors. This critically acclaimed young adult anthology welcomes every voice to lead, empower, and take command of their universe. Close your eyes, make a wish, and step into a world where… A princess has no need for a prince. Memories vanish with the cast of a spell. Dazzling ballgowns hide dark secrets. The fight continues to create a realm where everyone can belong. And the universe is yours for the taking. In collaboration with We Need Diverse Books, fifteen award-winning, diverse authors created this powerful anthology of young adult stories about forbidden love, broken promises, and monsters long misunderstood. This stunning collection includes writing from Samira Ahmed, Jenni Balch, Libba Bray, Dhonielle Clayton, Zoraida Córdova, Tessa Gratton, Kwame Mbalia, Anna-Marie McLemore, Tochi Onyebuchi, Mark Oshiro, Natalie C. Parker, Rebecca Roanhorse, V. E. Schwab, Tara Sim, and Nic Stone whose voices ring out in the wish for a braver and more beautiful universe. "

Dhonielle Clayton (Author), Ali Nasser, Anthony Lee Medina, Anthony Rey Perez, Deepti Gupta, Frankie Corzo, Guy Lockard, Kevin R. Free, Kyla Garcia, Michael Crouch, N'jameh Camara, Nancy Wu, Nikki Massoud, Shayna Small, Vikas Adam (Narrator)

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In Search of Safety: Voices of Refugees

"Five refugees recount their courageous journeys to America — and the unimaginable struggles that led them to flee their homelands — in a powerful work from the author of Beyond Magenta and We Are Here to Stay. “From 1984, when I was born, until July 16, 2017, when I arrived in the United States, I never lived in a place where there was no war.” — Fraidoon An Iraqi woman who survived capture by ISIS. A Sudanese teen growing up in civil war and famine. An Afghan interpreter for the U.S. Army living under threat of a fatwa. They are among the five refugees who share their stories in award-winning author and photographer Susan Kuklin’s latest masterfully crafted narrative. The five, originally from Afghanistan, Myanmar, South Sudan, Iraq, and Burundi, give gripping first-person testimonies about what it is like to flee war, face violent threats, grow up in a refugee camp, be sold into slavery, and resettle in America. This work is essential reading for understanding the devastating impact of war and persecution — and the power of resilience, optimism, and the will to survive."

Susan Kuklin (Author), Deepti Gupta, Josh Bloomberg, Vivienne Leheny (Narrator)

Audiobook