Historical Audiobooks | Teen & YA

A SOLDIER’S VIEW of the Vietnam War: The story of Victor 4 V COY, 6 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion

"“Gibby saw a VC positioning himself to shoot at Padre or me … he had seen the star on his belt and shot the guy dead … VC immediately returned fire along a wide front from perhaps 20 m … we could see the muzzle flashes and immediately began firing at them … they then fired an RPG which fell short on the bank between us.” It is rare that a military history is written from the perspective of the soldier by the soldier. This book is one of those. It is written by the men and officers of Victor 4 Coy, New Zealanders who served in the Vietnam War from 1969–1970, who tell about their experiences of combat in a faraway land. We have written the book not to celebrate war but to tell the next generation about what we experienced. It is right that we should do this for our children and for our relatives and friends so that they may know what we did. It is a testament also to those seven comrades who gave their lives for their country. May they rest in peace for eternity. – Wira Gardiner Watch the interview with Pete Ramsay here: https://youtu.be/ryxsrIHuJMc"

Victor 4 Company (Author), Pete Ramsay Bem(mil) (Narrator)

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Travelers Along the Way: A Robin Hood Remix

"A ragtag band of misfits gets swept up in Holy Land politics in Travelers Along the Way by Aminah Mae Safi, a thrilling YA remix of the classic legend of Robin Hood. Jerusalem, 1192. The Third Crusade rages on. Rahma al-Hud loyally followed her elder sister Zeena into the war over the Holy Land, but now that the Faranji invaders have gotten reinforcements from Richard the Lionheart, all she wants to do is get herself and her sister home alive. But Zeena, a soldier of honor at heart, refuses to give up the fight while Jerusalem remains in danger of falling back into the hands of the false Queen Isabella. And so, Rahma has no choice but to take on one final mission with her sister. On their journey to Jerusalem, Rahma and Zeena come across a motley collection of fellow travelers—including a kind-hearted Mongolian warrior, an eccentric Andalusian scientist, a frustratingly handsome spy with a connection to Rahma's childhood, and an unfortunate English chaplain abandoned behind enemy lines. The teens all find solace, purpose and camaraderie—as well as a healthy bit of mischief—in each other's company. But their travels soon bring them into the orbit of Queen Isabella herself, whose plans to re-seize power in Jerusalem would only guarantee further war and strife in the Holy Land for years to come. And so it falls to the merry band of misfits to use every scrap of cunning and wit (and not a small amount of thievery) to foil the usurper queen and perhaps finally restore peace to the land. Praise for Travelers Along the Way: 'Travelers Along the Way is the Robin Hood retelling I did not know I wanted. Deeply researched and masterfully written, here is a story that’s not only thrilling, but also delightfully clever!' —Tanaz Bhathena, author of A Girl Like That and Hunted by the Sky 'If you love heists, found family, and stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, then put Aminah Mae Safi's heartfelt and humorous take on Robin Hood at the very top of your TBR.' —Jodi Meadows, New York Times bestselling co-author of My Lady Jane"

Aminah Mae Safi (Author), Shiromi Arserio (Narrator)

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Great or Nothing

"A reimagining of Little Women set in 1942, when the United States is suddenly embroiled in the second World War, this story, told from each March sister's point of view, is one of grief, love, and self-discovery. In the fall of 1942, the United States is still reeling from the attack on Pearl Harbor. While the US starts sending troops to the front, the March family of Concord, Massachusetts grieves their own enormous loss: the death of their daughter, Beth. Under the strain of their grief, Beth's remaining sisters fracture, each going their own way with Jo nursing her wounds and building planes in Connecticut, Meg holding down the home front with Marmee, and Amy living a secret life as a Red Cross volunteer in London--the same city where one Mr. Theodore Laurence is stationed as an army pilot. Each March sister's point of view is written by a separate author, three in prose and Beth's in verse, still holding the family together from beyond the grave. Woven together, these threads tell a story of finding one's way in a world undergoing catastrophic change."

Caroline Tung Richmond, Jessica Spotswood, Joy McCullough, Tess Sharpe (Author), Erin Spencer, Joy McCullough, Saskia Maarleveld, Tess Sharpe (Narrator)

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Murder Among Friends: How Leopold and Loeb Tried to Commit the Perfect Crime

"How did two teenagers brutally murder an innocent child...and why? And how did their brilliant lawyer save them from the death penalty in 1920s Chicago? Written by a prolific master of narrative nonfiction, this is a compulsively readable true-crime story based on an event dubbed the 'crime of the century.' In 1924, eighteen-year-old college students Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb made a decision: they would commit the perfect crime by kidnapping and murdering a child they both knew. But they made one crucial error: as they were disposing of the body of young Bobby Franks, whom they had bludgeoned to death, Nathan's eyeglasses fell from his jacket pocket. Multi-award-winning author Candace Fleming depicts every twist and turn of this harrowing case--how two wealthy, brilliant young men planned and committed what became known as the crime of the century, how they were caught, why they confessed, and how the renowned criminal defense attorney Clarence Darrow enabled them to avoid the death penalty. Following on the success of such books as The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh and The Family Romanov, this acclaimed nonfiction writer brings to heart-stopping life one of the most notorious crimes in our country's history."

Candace Fleming (Author), Angela Dawe (Narrator)

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One For All

"Tania de Batz is most herself with a sword in her hand. Everyone in town thinks her near-constant dizziness makes her weak, nothing but “a sick girl.” But Tania wants to be strong, independent, a fencer like her father—a former Musketeer and her greatest champion. Then Papa is brutally, mysteriously murdered. His dying wish? For Tania to attend finishing school. But L’Académie des Mariées, Tania realizes, is no finishing school. It’s a secret training ground for new Musketeers: women who are socialites on the surface but strap daggers under their skirts, seduce men into giving up dangerous secrets, and protect France from downfall. And they don’t shy away from a sword fight. With her newfound sisters at her side, Tania feels that she has a purpose, that she belongs. But then she meets Étienne, her target in uncovering a potential assassination plot. He’s kind and charming, and he might have information about what really happened to her father. Torn between duty and dizzying emotion, Tania will have to decide where her loyalties lie … or risk losing everything she’s ever wanted. This debut novel is a fierce, whirlwind adventure about the depth of found family, the strength that goes beyond the body, and the determination it takes to fight for what you love. Includes an author’s note about her personal experience with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. “A thrilling mystery from start to finish … Lainoff is a fierce new talent to watch out for.”—Kerri Maniscalco, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Kingdom of the Wicked"

Lillie Lainoff (Author), Mara Wilson (Narrator)

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The Book of Living Secrets

"Perfect for fans of The Hazel Wood and Small Favors, this genre-bending page-turner from New York Times bestselling author Madeleine Roux follows two girls who transport themselves into the world of their favorite book only to encounter the sinister alternate reality that awaits them. No matter how different best friends Adelle and Connie are, one thing they’ve always had in common is their love of a little-known gothic romance novel called Moira. So when the girls are tempted by a mysterious man to enter the world of the book, they hardly suspect it will work. But suddenly they are in the world of Moira, living among characters they’ve obsessed about for years. Except…all is not how they remembered it. The world has been turned upside down: The lavish balls and star-crossed love affairs are now interlaced with unspeakable horrors. The girls realize that something dark is lurking behind their foray into fiction—and they will have to rewrite their own arcs if they hope to escape this nightmare with their lives."

Madeleine Roux (Author), Kate Marcin (Narrator)

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Heart of the Impaler

"Alexander Delacroix's darkly romantic debut Heart of the Impaler is perfect for fans of Kiersten White's And I Darken. Vlad Dracula has long lived in the shadows cast by his bloodthirsty father, the voivode, and his older brother, Mircea. Despite their cruelty, Vlad has yearned to prove himself worthy of the throne his whole life. In the cold halls of the voivode's palace, Vlad can only rely on his cousin and closest friend, Andrei Musat. When Vlad and Andrei meet Ilona Csáki, the daughter of an influential boyar, they each find themselves inextricably drawn to her. But then Ilona is betrothed to Mircea as part of a political alliance, and Vlad's resentfulness of his brother begins to seethe into something far darker. Ilona has no desire to marry the voivode's eldest son, but love and marriage are the least of her worries. The royal family's enemies have already tried to put an arrow through her back—and if anyone discovers her blossoming feelings for Andrei and Vlad, she may just wish they'd succeeded. Beneath the shadow of impending war, the only battle that will be deadlier than the one for Ilona's life will be the one for her heart."

Alexander Delacroix (Author), Jason Keller (Narrator)

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Overground Railroad (The Young Adult Adaptation): The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in Am

"A young listener's edition of Candacy Taylor's acclaimed book about the history of the Green Book, the guide for Black travelers Overground Railroad chronicles the history of the Green Book, which was published from 1936 to 1966 and was the 'Black travel guide to America.' For years, it was dangerous for African Americans to travel in the United States. Because of segregation, Black travelers couldn't eat, sleep, or even get gas at most white-owned businesses. The Green Book listed hotels, restaurants, department stores, gas stations, recreational destinations, and other businesses that were safe for Black travelers. It was a resourceful and innovative solution to a horrific problem. It took courage to be listed in the Green Book, and the stories from those who took a stand against racial segregation are recorded and celebrated."

Candacy Taylor (Author), Lisa Reneé Pitts (Narrator)

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Girls Like Us

"In Girls Like Us, Randi Pink masterfully weaves four lives into a larger story–as timely as ever–about a woman's right to choose her future. Four teenage girls. Four different stories. What they all have in common is that they're dealing with unplanned pregnancies. In 1972 rural Georgia, Izella is wise beyond her years, but burdened with the responsibility of her older sister, Ola, who has found out she's pregnant. Their young neighbor, Missippi, is also pregnant, but doesn't fully understand the extent of her predicament. When her father sends her to Chicago to give birth, she meets the final narrator, Susan, who is white and the daughter of an anti-choice senator."

Randi Pink (Author), Ja'air Bush (Narrator)

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A Million Quiet Revolutions

"Robin Gow's A Million Quiet Revolutions is a modern love story, told in verse, about two teenaged trans boys who name themselves after two Revolutionary War soldiers. A lyrical, aching young adult romance perfect for fans of The Poet X, Darius the Great is Not Okay, and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Universe. “Robin Gow's A Million Quiet Revolutions is a stunning, lyrical love story about discovering our identity (and what that means for us) and the importance of seeing ourselves reflected in history. A gorgeous debut.” ―Nicole Melleby, author of Hurricane Season and In The Role of Brie Hutchens For as long as they can remember, Aaron and Oliver have only ever had each other. In a small town with few queer teenagers, let alone young trans men, they’ve shared milestones like coming out as trans, buying the right binders―and falling for each other. But just as their relationship has started to blossom, Aaron moves away. Feeling adrift, separated from the one person who understands them, they seek solace in digging deep into the annals of America’s past. When they discover the story of two Revolutionary War soldiers who they believe to have been trans man in love, they’re inspired to pay tribute to these soldiers by adopting their names―Aaron and Oliver. As they learn, they delve further into unwritten queer stories, and they discover the transformative power of reclaiming one’s place in history."

Robin Gow (Author), Kaden Catalina, Salem Corwin (Narrator)

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And We Rise: The Civil Rights Movement in Poems

"A powerful, impactful, eye-opening journey that explores through the Civil Rights Movement in 1950s-1960s America in spare and evocative verse. In stunning verse, Erica Martin's debut poetry collection walks readers through the Civil Rights Movement-from the well-documented events that shaped the nation's treatment of Black people, beginning with the 'Separate but Equal' ruling-and introduces lesser-known figures and moments that were just as crucial to the Movement and our nation's centuries-long fight for justice and equality. A poignant, powerful, all-too-timely collection that is both a vital history lesson and much-needed conversation starter in our modern world."

Erica Martin (Author), Erica Martin (Narrator)

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Mirror Girls

"A thrilling gothic horror novel about biracial twin sisters separated at birth, perfect for fans of Lovecraft Country and The Vanishing Half As infants, twin sisters Charlie Yates and Magnolia Heathwood were secretly separated after the brutal lynching of their parents, who died for loving across the color line. Now, at the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement, Charlie is a young Black organizer in Harlem, while white-passing Magnolia is the heiress to a cotton plantation in rural Georgia. Magnolia knows nothing of her racial heritage, but secrets are hard to keep in a town haunted by the ghosts of its slave-holding past. When Magnolia finally learns the truth, her reflection mysteriously disappears from mirrors-the sign of a terrible curse. Meanwhile, in Harlem, Charlie's beloved grandmother falls ill. Her final wish is to be buried back home in Georgia-and, unbeknownst to Charlie, to see her long-lost granddaughter, Magnolia Heathwood, one last time. So Charlie travels into the Deep South, confronting the land of her worst nightmares-and Jim Crow segregation. The sisters reunite as teenagers in the deeply haunted town of Eureka, Georgia, where ghosts linger centuries after their time and dangers lurk behind every mirror. They couldn't be more different, but they will need each other to put the hauntings of the past to rest, to break the mirrors' deadly curse-and to discover the meaning of sisterhood in a racially divided land. "

Kelly Mcwilliams (Author), Carmen Jewel Jones, Deanna Anthony, Robin Eller (Narrator)

Audiobook

Historical Audiobooks in Teen & YA