Audiobooks narrated by Tom Parks

You Can't Say That!: Writers for Young People Talk about Censorship, Free Expression, and the Storie

"What happens when freedom of expression comes under threat? In frank and wide-ranging interviews, historian and critic Leonard S. Marcus probes the experience of thirteen leading authors of books for young people. A powerful photo essay on transgender teens is called anti-religious and anti-family. A meticulously researched primer on sex education stirs up accusations of pornography and child abuse. Picture books about two mommies (or two penguin daddies) set off a hue and cry. Two hugely popular children’s series run afoul of would-be censors, one for its scatological humor, the other because it’s deemed too scary. Kids’ books that touch on race, sex, LGBTQ matters, the occult, “coarse language,” and more have found themselves under the scrutiny of those who challenge First Amendment rights. Tune in as thirteen top children’s and young adult authors speak out about what it’s like to have your work banned or challenged in America today. Prompted by Leonard S. Marcus’s insightful questions, they discuss why their books have faced censorship—both blatant and “soft”—how the challenges have or haven’t affected their writing, and why some people feel they have the right to deny access to books. In addition, Leonard S. Marcus puts First Amendment challenges in a historical context and takes a promising look at the vibrant support network that has risen up to protect and defend young people’s rights. Authors interviewed include: Matt de la Peña Robie H. Harris Susan Kuklin David Levithan Meg Medina Lesléa Newman Katherine Patterson Dav Pilkey Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell Sonya Sones R. L. Stine Angie Thomas."

Leonard S. Marcus (editor) (Author), Arthur Morey, Janet Metzger, Roxanne Hernandez, Susan Dalian, Thom Rivera, Tom Parks (Narrator)

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How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids

"Every moment matters.Each of us has an invisible bucket. When our bucket is full, we feel great. When it’s empty, we feel awful. Yet most children (and many adults) don’t realize the importance of having a full bucket throughout the day.In How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids, Felix begins to see how every interaction in a day either fills or empties his bucket. Felix then realizes that everything he says or does to other people fills or empties their buckets as well.Follow along with Felix as he learns how easy it can be to fill the buckets of his classmates, teachers and family members. Before the day is over, you’ll see how Felix learns to be a great bucket filler, and in the process, discovers that filling someone else’s bucket also fills his own."

Mary Reckmeyer Ph.D., Tom Rath (Author), Amy McFadden, Caitlin Kelly, Dan John Miller, Emily Sutton-Smith, Joyce Bean, Luke Daniels, Michael Crouch, Nick Podehl, Tanya Eby, Tom Parks (Narrator)

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Eyes Wide Open: Going Behind the Environmental Headlines

"What's really going on with the environment - in our own backyards and the wider world? Conflicting information is offered by websites, magazines, and documentaries that blur the line between news and opinion. Not every report is reliable; not every interest group is actually composed of concerned citizens. In this dynamic account, award-winning author Paul Fleischman arms teens with the basic tools to uncover vested interests and falsehoods by vetting sources, following the money, and checking references so that they can make informed decisions about what actions to take in the worldwide battle against climate change, overconsumption, and dwindling resources."

Paul Fleischman (Author), Tom Parks (Narrator)

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October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard

"On the night of October 6, 1998, a gay twenty-one-year-old college student named Matthew Shepard was lured from a Wyoming bar by two young men, savagely beaten, tied to a remote fence, and left to die. Gay Awareness Week was beginning at the University of Wyoming, and the keynote speaker was Lesléa Newman, discussing her book Heather Has Two Mommies. Shaken, the author addressed the large audience that gathered, but she remained haunted by Matthew’s murder.October Mourning, a novel in verse, is her deeply felt response to the events of that tragic day. Using her poetic imagination, the author creates fictitious monologues from various points of view, including the fence Matthew was tied to, the stars that watched over him, the deer that kept him company, and Matthew himself.More than a decade later, this stunning cycle of sixty-eight poems serves as an illumination for readers too young to remember, and as a powerful, enduring tribute to Matthew Shepard’s life."

Lesléa Newman (Author), Christina Traister, Emily Beresford, Kate Rudd, Lesléa Newman, Luke Daniels, Nick Podehl, Tom Parks (Narrator)

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Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk Middle School: 101 Stories of Life, Love, and Learning for You

"Middle school is hard. Your bodies are changing, your friends are changing, classes are harder, and tough things happen. This “support group in a book” is specifically geared to you. Listen to stories written by kids just like you, about their middle school years, and: • true friends and new friends • mean girls…and boys • embarrassing moments • bully payback • crushes and young love • being happy with yourself • tough times • family issues • doing what’s right • and lots more!"

Jack Canfield, Madeline Clapps, Mark Victor Hansen, Valerie Howlett (Author), Ellen Grafton, Tom Parks (Narrator)

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Lawn Boy Returns

"Gary Paulsen's funny follow-up to Lawn Boy is full of big surprises and big laughs. Lawn Boy says: The summer I was twelve, mowing lawns with Grandpa's old riding mower turned into big business. With advice from Arnold the stockbroker, I learned all about making money. Six weeks and hundred of thousands of dollars later, life got more complicated. You see, the prizefighter I sponsor, Joey Pow, won a big fight. And a TV interview made me famous. As Arnold says, 'Capitalism plus publicity equals monster commerce.' Even my best friends wanted a piece of the action. Meanwhile, some scary guys showed up at Joey's gym. . . ."

Gary Paulsen (Author), Tom Parks (Narrator)

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Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk Middle School - 35 Stories of Life's Ups and Downs, Family, Me

Jack Canfield, Madeline Clapps, Mark Victor Hansen, Valerie Howlett (Author), Ellen Grafton, Tom Parks (Narrator)

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Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk Middle School - 33 Stories of First Love, Finding Your Passion

Jack Canfield, Madeline Clapps, Mark Victor Hansen, Valerie Howlett (Author), Ellen Grafton, Tom Parks (Narrator)

Audiobook

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk Middle School - 33 Stories about Bullies and the Ups and Downs

Jack Canfield, Madeline Clapps, Mark Victor Hansen, Valerie Howlett (Author), Ellen Grafton, Tom Parks (Narrator)

Audiobook

Lawn Boy

"One day I was twelve years old and broke. I set out to mow some lawns with Grandpa’s old riding mower. One client was Arnold the stockbroker, who offered to teach me about: the beauty of capitalism. Supply and demand. Diversifying labor. Distributing the wealth. “It’s groovy, man,” Arnold said.The grass grew, and so did business. Arnold invested my money in many things. One of them was a prizefighter. All of a sudden I was the sponsor of my very own fighter, Joey Pow. That’s when my twelfth summer got really interesting.Gary Paulsen’s comic story about a summer job becomes a slapstick lesson in business as one boy turns a mountain of grass into a mountain of cash."

Gary Paulsen (Author), Tom Parks (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Tom Parks