Audiobooks by Barbara Dee

Tear This Down

"From Barbara Dee, the critically acclaimed author of Maybe He Just Likes You, comes a middle grade novel about a girl who makes the choice to speak out against a problematic historical hometown figure no matter the cost—perfect for readers of Dress Coded.   For as long as Freya can remember, she has loved living in her cozy hometown of Wellstone. Not only is the town itself named for local and historical hero Benjamin Wellstone but everything in it: schools, beaches, and stores. There’s even a giant statue of him to remind everyone of the good things he did.   But while doing research for a big school project, Freya discovers that Benjamin isn’t the big hero everyone has been taught to believe. He had some redeeming qualities, but he also held incredibly problematic views towards women, believing they shouldn’t have the right to vote—or even to exist outside of the home. Disappointed by her revelation, Freya wonders if she could figure out a way to not only show what the hometown hero was really like but replace his statue with one of an unsung hero: local suffragette Octavia Padgett.   Though Freya knows not everyone will agree with her, she is shocked when her efforts cause even bigger issues than she could have imagined. Even her own parents seem uneasy with Freya’s cause. With the help of her beloved Nan, friends new and old, and the coolest librarian she’s ever met, can Freya stand firm and tear down outdated views?"

Barbara Dee (Author), Laura Knight Keating (Narrator)

Audiobook

Play Sample Listen For Free

Unstuck

"Lyla is thrilled when her seventh-grade ELA class begins a daily creative writing project. For the past year she’s been writing a brilliant fantasy novel in her head, and here’s her chance to get it on paper! The plot is super complicated, with battle scenes and witches, although basically it’s a semi-autobiographical story about an overlooked girl who has to rescue her beautiful, highly accomplished older sister. But writing a fantasy novel turns out to be harder than simply imagining one, and Lyla finds herself stuck, experiencing what she realizes is writer’s block. Part of the problem is that she’s trying to impress certain people—like Rania, her best friend who’s pulling away, and Ms. Bowman, the coolest teacher at school. Plus, there’s the pressure of meeting the deadline for the town writing contest, where Lyla is determined to win first prize. When Lyla shares her writing problems with her superstar older sister, Dahlia, she learns Dahlia’s big secret, which is causing a very different type of writer’s block. Can Lyla rescue her surprisingly vulnerable sister, both on the page and in real life? Award-winning author Barbara Dee returns with a novel about creativity, friendship, family—and how to find the words you need most. “For years now, Barbara Dee has written one exceptional novel after another. Unstuck may be her best yet. Lyla’s story is at once unique and universal, and readers will finish the book feeling inspired and empowered to take control of,and share, their stories.”—Jarrett Lerner, author of A Work in Progress A Junior Library Guild Selection"

Barbara Dee (Author), Suzy Jackson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Play Sample Listen For Free