Audiobooks by Kekla Magoon

Malcolm Little’s parents have always told him that he can achieve anything, but from what he can tell, that’s nothing but a pack of lies—after all, his father’s been murdered, his mother’s been taken away, and his dreams of becoming a lawyer have gotten him laughed out of school. There’s no point in trying, he figures, and lured by the nightlife of Boston and New York, he escapes into a world of fancy suits, jazz, girls, and reefer. But Malcolm’s efforts to leave the past behind carry him into increasingly dangerous territory when what starts as some small-time hustling quickly spins out of control. Deep down, he knows that the freedom he’s found is only an illusion—and that he can’t run forever. Based on the actual events of Malcolm X’s life, this novel sheds new light on the formative years of the human-rights leader whose words and actions shook the world. A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION

Ilyasah Al-Shabazz, Ilyasah Shabazz, Kekla Magoon (Author), Dion Graham, Ilyasah Shabazz, Kekla Magoon (Narrator)

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The Rock and the River

For thirteen-year-old Sam it's not easy being the son of known civil rights activist Roland Childs. Especially when his older brother (and best friend), Stick, begins to drift away from him for no apparent reason. And then it happens: Sam finds something that changes everything forever. Sam has always had faith in his father, but when he finds literature about the Black Panthers under Stick's bed, he's not sure who to believe: his father or his best friend. Suddenly, nothing feels certain anymore. Sam wants to believe that his father is right: You can effect change without using violence. But as time goes on, Sam grows weary of standing by and watching as his friends and family suffer at the hands of racism in their own community. Sam begins to explore the Panthers with Stick, but soon he's involved in something far more serious - and more dangerous - than he could have ever predicted. Sam is faced with a difficult decision. Will he follow his father or his brother? His mind or his heart? The rock or the river?

Kekla Magoon (Author), Dion Graham (Narrator)

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How It Went Down

When sixteen-year-old Tariq Johnson dies from two gunshot wounds, his community is thrown into an uproar. Tariq was black. The shooter, Jack Franklin, is white In the aftermath of Tariq's death, everyone has something to say, but no two accounts of the events line up. Day by day, new twists further obscure the truth. Tariq's friends, family, and community struggle to make sense of the tragedy, and to cope with the hole left behind when a life is cut short. In their own words, they grapple for a way to say with certainty: This is how it went down.

Kekla Magoon (Author), Various Narrators (Narrator)

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Infinity Riders

The action is on the page, on your device, and out of this world! This multiplatform series is part sci-fi, all action-adventure. And you don't have long to wait-six books are coming all in one year! Earth is in danger! The only things that can save our planet are six essential elements scattered throughout the galaxy. And it is up to the Voyagers-a team of four remarkable kids and an alien-to gather them all and return to Earth. On the fourth planet, Infinity, the Voyagers journey deep underground, through a complex maze of tunnels. The tunnels are full of alien life-and danger. And before they can escape, one of their own will be taken from them. . . . Do you have what it takes to be a Voyager? Find out at VoyagersHQ.com.

Kekla Magoon (Author), Robbie Daymond (Narrator)

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The Season of Styx Malone

This lively and diverse middle-grade story from the award-winning author of How It Went Down has the warmth of a modern-day The Watsons go to Birmingham--1963. Caleb Franklin and his big brother Bobby Gene have the whole summer for adventures in the woods behind their house in Sutton, Indiana. Caleb dreams of venturing beyond their ordinary small town, but his dad likes the family to stay close to home. Then Caleb and Bobby Gene meet new neighbor Styx Malone. Styx is sixteen and oozes cool. He's been lots of different places. Styx promises Caleb and Bobby Gene that together, they can pull off the Great Escalator Trade--exchanging one small thing for something better until they achieve their wildest dream. But as the trades get bigger, the brothers soon find themselves in over their heads. It becomes clear that Styx has secrets--secrets so big they could ruin everything--and Caleb fears their whole plan might fall apart. In this madcap, heartwarming, one-thing-leads-to-another adventure, friendships are forged, loyalties are tested . . . and miracles just might be possible. Four starred reviews! 'Interweaving themes of risk taking and trust, betrayal and forgiveness, Magoon crafts a novel that is genuinely funny, heartbreaking, and uplifting--extraordinary, in fact.' --Publishers Weekly, Starred 'Spending time with Styx, Caleb, and Bobby Gene is an experience no reader will soon forget.' --The Horn Book, Starred 'Heartening and hopeful, a love letter to black male youth grasping the desires within them, absorbing the worlds around them, striving to be more otherwise than ordinary. Please share.' --Kirkus Review, Starred 'A summertime romp filled with trouble-making, camaraderie, and substance.' --School Library Journal, Starred

Kekla Magoon (Author), Sullivan Jones (Narrator)

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She Persisted: Ruby Bridges

Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger comes a chapter book series about women who stood up, spoke up and rose up against the odds! In this chapter book biography by NAACP Image Award-winning author and Coretta Scott King Honor recipient Kekla Magoon, readers learn about the amazing life of Ruby Bridges--and how she persisted. As a first grader, Ruby Bridges was the first Black student to integrate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana. This was no easy task, especially for a six-year-old. Ruby's bravery and perseverance inspired children and adults alike to fight for equality and social justice. Perfect for back-to-school reading! Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and a list of ways that readers can follow in Ruby Bridges's footsteps and make a difference! Praise for She Persisted: Ruby Bridges: 'Bridges' voice, quoted from various sources, gives readers access to her own perspective. A context-offering complement to Bridges' own books for children.' --Kirkus Reviews

Chelsea Clinton, Kekla Magoon (Author), Chelsea Clinton, Janina Edwards (Narrator)

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She Persisted Audio Collection: Volume 1: Harriet Tubman; Claudette Colvin; Virginia Apgar; and more

Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger comes a chapter book series about women who stood up, spoke up, and rose up against the odds. Listeners can now enjoy the first eight biographies in one audio collection! • She Persisted: Harriet Tubman by Andrea Davis Pinkney, read by Bahni Turpin • She Persisted: Claudette Colvin by Lesa Cline-Ransome, read by Janina Edwards • She Persisted: Sally Ride by Atia Abawi, read by Carolyn King • She Persisted: Virginia Apgar by Dr. Sayantani DasGupta, read by Tavia Gilbert • She Persisted: Nellie Bly by Michelle Knudsen, read by Rebekkah Ross • She Persisted: Sonia Sotomayor by Meg Medina, read by Frankie Corzo • She Persisted: Florence Griffith Joyner by Rita Williams-Garcia, read by Janina Edwards • She Persisted: Ruby Bridges by Kekla Magoon, read by Janina Edwards In each chapter book biography by an award-winning and/or best-selling author, listeners learn about the amazing life of an important woman--and how she persisted. Includes an introduction written and read by Chelsea Clinton.

Andrea Davis Pinkney, Atia Abawi, Chelsea Clinton, Kekla Magoon, Lesa Cline-Ransome, Meg Medina, Michelle Knudsen, Rita Williams-Garcia, Sayantani Dasgupta (Author), Bahni Turpin, Carolyn King, Janina Edwards, Tavia Gilbert, Various (Narrator)

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Chester Keene Cracks the Code

Cracking the code isn't all it's cracked up to be in this scavenger hunt adventure from a Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author. Chester Keene takes great comfort in his routines. Afterschool Monday to Thursday is bowling, and Friday, the best of days, is laser tag! But Chester has one other very special thing-he gets secret spy messages from his dad, who must be on covert government assignments, which is why Chester has never met him. Then one day, Chester's classmate, Skye, approaches him with a clue. They've been tasked with a complex puzzle-solving mission. Skye proves to be a useful partner and good company, even if her free-wheeling ways are disruptive to Chester's carefully built schedule. As Chester and Skye get closer to their final clue, they discover the key to their spy assignment: they have to stop a heist! But cracking this code may mean finding out things are not always what they seem.

Kekla Magoon (Author), Elijah Boothe (Narrator)

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The Minus-One Club

Fifteen-year-old Kermit Sanders knows grief and its all-encompassing shadows. After losing his beloved older sister in a tragic car accident, nothing quite punctures through the feelings of loss. Everywhere Kermit goes, he is reminded of her. But then Kermit finds a mysterious invitation in his locker, signed anonymously with “-1.” He has no idea what he’s in for, but he shows up to find out. Dubbed the “Minus-One Club,” a group of his school-mates has banded together as a form of moral support. The members have just one thing in common—they have all suffered the tragic loss of someone they loved. The usual dividing lines between high school classes and cliques don’t apply inside the Minus-One Club, and Kermit’s secret crush, the handsome and happy-go-lucky Matt (and only out gay student at school), is also a part of the group. Slowly, Matt’s positive headstrong approach to life helps relieve Kermit of his constant despair. But as Kermit grows closer to Matt, the light of his new life begins to show the cracks beneath the surface. When Matt puts himself in danger by avoiding his feelings, Kermit must find the strength to not only lift himself back up but to help the rest of the group from falling apart.

Kekla Magoon (Author), Dion Graham (Narrator)

Audiobook