Tough Topics Audiobooks

Crying Laughing

"A tragicomic story of bad dates, bad news, bad performances, and one girl's determination to find the funny in high school from the author of Denton Little's Deathdate. Winnie Friedman has been waiting for the world to catch on to what she already knows: she's hilarious. It might be a long wait, though. After bombing a stand-up set at her own bat mitzvah, Winnie has kept her jokes to herself. Well, to herself and her dad, a former comedian and her inspiration. Then, on the second day of tenth grade, the funniest guy in school actually laughs at a comment she makes in the lunch line and asks her to join the improv troupe. Maybe he's even . . . flirting? Just when Winnie's ready to say yes to comedy again, her father reveals that he's been diagnosed with ALS. That is . . . not funny. Her dad's still making jokes, though, which feels like a good thing. And Winnie's prepared to be his straight man if that's what he wants. But is it what he needs? Caught up in a spiral of epically bad dates, bad news, and bad performances, Winnie's struggling to see the humor in it all. But finding a way to laugh is exactly what will see her through. **A Junior Library Guild Selection**"

Lance Rubin (Author), Katie Schorr (Narrator)

Audiobook

Vote!: Women's Fight for Access to the Ballot Box

"August 18, 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, which prohibited states and the US government from denying citizens the right to vote on the basis of sex. This book reveals how the seventy-year-long fight for women's suffrage was hard-won by leaders such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul, Carrie Chapman Catt, and others. It demonstrates how their success led to the civil rights and feminist movements of the mid- and late- twentieth century, as well as today's #MeToo, #YesAllWomen, and Black Lives Matter movements. In the face of voter ID laws, voter purges, gerrymandering, and other restrictions, Americans continue to fight for equality in voting rights."

Coral Celeste Frazer (Author), Anne Cross (Narrator)

Audiobook

This Train Is Being Held

"Alex is a baseball player. A great one. His papi is pushing him to go pro, but Alex maybe wants to be a poet. Not that Papi would understand or allow that. Isa is a dancer. She'd love to go pro, if only her Havana-born mom weren't dead set against it...just like she's dead set against her daughter falling for a Latino. And Isa's privileged private-school life—with her dad losing his job and her older brother struggling with mental illness—is falling apart. Not that she'd ever tell that to Alex. Fate—and the New York City subway—bring Alex and Isa together. Is it enough to keep them together when they need each other most?"

Ismée Williams (Author), Frankie Corzo, Gary Tiedemann (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Me I Meant to Be

"Girl Code: Never date a friend’s ex. Willa Evans has no intention of breaking the code. So what if she’s always secretly loved her next-door neighbor Zach? As her best friend’s boyfriend, he was always off-limits and it needs to stay that way, even though they just broke up. Even though every time she turns around he’s there, tempting her … No keeping secrets from your bestie. Flor Hidalgo has a lot on her plate: her breakup with Zach, her dad’s new dating life, and her struggling grades. So why can’t she stop thinking about her hot, know-it-all tutor? At least she’s got Willa, her constant in the chaos. Breaking the code breaks friendships. In this steamy romance, two friends discover that when it comes to love and friendship, some rules are meant to be broken or—better yet—rewritten."

Sophie Jordan (Author), Almarie Guerra, Cassandra Morris (Narrator)

Audiobook

I Know When You're Going To Die

"Leonardo Cantrell is a painfully shy sixteen-year-old who cannot look people in the eye. One night while he’s volunteering at a homeless shelter, an old man forces eye contact and gives Leo the power to see Death. His best, and only, friend—J.C. Rivera—thinks this new power is cool until Leo accidentally looks into J.C.’s eyes and “sees” his murder, a murder that will occur in less than two weeks. Stunned and shaken, the two boys sift through clues in Leo’s “vision” in a desperate effort to find the killer and stop him before he can strike. Aided by feisty new-girl-at-school, Laura, the boys uncover evidence suggesting the identity of the murderer. However, their plan to trap the would-be killer goes horribly awry and reveals a truth that could kill them all."

Michael J. Bowler (Author), Stephen Sanders (Narrator)

Audiobook

Baby’s First-Year Milestones: How To Take Care of Your Baby Effectively, Track Their Monthly Progres

"Take the guesswork out of parenting and become a pro, even before your baby is born... Are you an expecting parent who worries you won’t be able to live up to the expectations of what it means to be a good parent, believing you will fail the child in some way? Do you fear you might accidentally hurt the baby, whether it be by harming its soft spot, not knowing how to properly support its neck, or something entirely different? Are you afraid your baby’s development isn’t measuring up with others at the same age, signifying some sort of abnormality? Put the constant worrying to an end, and let’s set things straight. Feeling confused or overwhelmed is completely normal for new or expecting parents, so you can rest assured knowing you’re not alone. Every prospective parent has his or her endless list of questions and worries before jumping into the world of babies, but what matters most is that you are prepared. In order to feel certain in your parental decision-making skills and silence the doubting voices in your head, the first step is to fill your head with all the baby knowledge there is to know--the good and the bad. Help take the unexpected out of parenting--caring for and enjoying the company of your newborn baby won’t be your focus if you’re constantly worrying about the worst-case scenario. Do yourself a favor and take the time to understand exactly what it is you can expect so you can be in the moment. Learn the coping techniques necessary now before you’re too stressed to figure it out when you actually need them. By being ahead of the game, you’ll know just how you should handle tough situations without hesitation."

Harley Carr (Author), Lisa Stewart (Narrator)

Audiobook

All the Days Past, All the Days to Come

"The saga of the Logan family--made famous in the Newbery Medal-winning Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry--concludes in a long-awaited and deeply fulfilling story. In her tenth book, Mildred Taylor completes her sweeping saga about the Logan family of Mississippi, which is also the story of the civil rights movement in America of the 20th century. Cassie Logan, first met in Song of the Trees and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, is a young woman now, searching for her place in the world, a journey that takes her from Toledo to California, to law school in Boston, and, ultimately, in the 60s, home to Mississippi to participate in voter registration. She is witness to the now-historic events of the century: the Great Migration north, the rise of the civil rights movement, preceded and precipitated by the racist society of America, and the often violent confrontations that brought about change. Rich, compelling storytelling is Ms. Taylor's hallmark, and she fulfills expectations as she brings to a close the stirring family story that has absorbed her for over forty years. It is a story she was born to tell."

Mildred D. Taylor (Author), Allyson Johnson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Not So Pure and Simple

"''Hysterical. I couldn’t put it down.” (Nic Stone) ''I laughed, I gasped, I church grunted through every chapter.'' (Tiffany D. Jackson) ''Heartfelt and hilarious on every page!'' (Justin A. Reynolds) 4 starred reviews! * An Indie Next List Pick! * Named one of Bank Street College of Education's Best Children’s Books of the Year! Two-time Edgar Award finalist Lamar Giles spotlights the consequences of societal pressure, confronts toxic masculinity, and explores the complexity of what it means to be a “real man.” Del has had a crush on Kiera Westing since kindergarten. And now, during their junior year, she’s finally available. So when Kiera volunteers for an opportunity at their church, Del’s right behind her. Though he quickly realizes he’s inadvertently signed up for a Purity Pledge. His dad thinks his wires are crossed, and his best friend, Qwan, doesn’t believe any girl is worth the long game. But Del’s not about to lose his dream girl, and that’s where fellow pledger Jameer comes in. He can put in the good word. In exchange, Del just has to get answers to the Pledgers’ questions…about sex ed. With other boys circling Kiera like sharks, Del needs to make his move fast. But as he plots and plans, he neglects to ask the most important question: What does Kiera want? He can’t think about that too much, though, because once he gets the girl, it’ll all sort itself out. Right? ''With true-to-life characters and a straightforward handling of sex, including often ignored aspects of male sexuality, Giles’s thoughtful, hilarious read offers a timely viewpoint on religion, toxic masculinity, and teen sexuality.'' (Publishers Weekly, ''An Anti-Racist Children's and YA Reading List'')"

Lamar Giles (Author), Korey Jackson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Echoes Between Us

"Echoes Between Us is bestselling author Katie McGarry’s breakout teen contemporary novel about a girl with everything to lose and the boy who will do anything to save her. Veronica sees ghosts—more specifically, her mother’s ghost, thanks to the blinding migraines that consume her whole life and keep Veronica on the fringes. But the haunting afterimages make her wonder if there is something more going on…. Golden boy Sawyer is handsome and popular, a state champion swimmer, but this All-American is hiding an adrenaline addiction that could kill him. Drawn to each other after a chance meeting, can they help each other battle the demons that haunt their every step or will they push their luck too far and risk losing it all…including their lives? A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Teen “Katie McGarry knows what YA is, how it works, and what it can do better than anyone, but she always takes it one step further.”—Hypable"

Katie McGarry (Author), Brittany Pressley, Graham Halstead (Narrator)

Audiobook

Perfectly Unique: Love Yourself Completely, Just As You Are

"STOP wishing your body was something it's not. START embracing every part of you just as it was designed. Your body is a sacred treasure, a worshipful instrument, and a unique masterpiece! That's a pretty big deal. But sometimes it feels confusing, awkward, and flawed. The truth is: You and your body, all of it, are important and beautiful, designed especially by God with a specific plan and purpose. Each chapter in Perfectly Unique focuses on a different part of your body and the potential it has for helping grow your faith. With wisdom and compassion, author Annie F. Downs will help you: - Stop being so hard on yourself - Stop wishing you were designed differently - Stop comparing yourself to others - Stop criticizing the young woman you see in the mirror every day - START honoring yourself instead Ultimately, Perfectly Unique will not only help you understand the reasons God made you the way you are, it will empower you to embrace and celebrate (YES, celebrate!) each and every part of you. Reflection questions, some of Annie's favorite recipes and music, and helpful tools to help you view yourself the way God does are available in the audiobook companion PDF download."

Annie F. Downs (Author), Annie Downs (Narrator)

Audiobook

Jane Anonymous: A Novel

"Bestselling author Laurie Faria Stolarz’s thrilling novel Jane Anonymous is a revelatory confessional of a seventeen-year-old girl’s fight to escape a kidnapper—and her struggles to connect with loved ones and a life that no longer exists. Seven months. That’s how long I was kept captive. Locked in a room with a bed, refrigerator, and adjoining bathroom, I was instructed to eat, bathe, and behave. I received meals, laundered clothes, and toiletries through a cat door, never knowing if it was day or night. The last time I saw the face of my abductor was when he dragged me fighting from the trunk of his car. My only solace was Mason—one of the other kidnapped teens—and our pact to one day escape together. But when that day finally came, I had to leave him behind. Now that I’m home, my parents and friends want everything to be like it was before I left. But they don’t understand that dining out and shopping trips can’t heal what’s broken inside me. I barely leave my bedroom. Therapists are clueless and condescending. So I start my own form of therapy—but writing about my experience awakens uncomfortable memories, ones that should’ve stayed buried. When I ask the detectives assigned to my case about Mason, I get an answer I don’t believe—that there were no traces of any other kidnapped kids. But I distinctly remember the screams, holding hands with Mason through a hole in my wall, and sharing a chocolate bar. I don’t believe he wasn’t really there and I’m determined to find him. How far will I have to go to uncover the truth of what happened—and will it break me forever?"

Laurie Faria Stolarz (Author), Emily Bauer (Narrator)

Audiobook

Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard

"This program is read by the author 'Just brilliant.'—Kirkus Reviews Heavily autobiographical and infused with magical realism, Black Girl Unlimited fearlessly explores the intersections of poverty, sexual violence, depression, racism, and sexism—all through the arc of a transcendent coming-of-age story for fans of Renee Watson's Piecing Me Together and Ibi Zoboi's American Street. Echo Brown is a wizard from the East Side, where apartments are small and parents suffer addictions to the white rocks. Yet there is magic...everywhere. New portals begin to open when Echo transfers to the rich school on the West Side, and an insightful teacher becomes a pivotal mentor. Each day, Echo travels between two worlds, leaving her brothers, her friends, and a piece of herself behind on the East Side. There are dangers to leaving behind the place that made you. Echo soon realizes there is pain flowing through everyone around her, and a black veil of depression threatens to undo everything she’s worked for. Christy Ottaviano Books A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company"

Echo Brown (Author), Echo Brown (Narrator)

Audiobook