Audiobooks by Jim Murphy

Guys Read: True Stories

Visiting the dentist, in ancient Egypt Spending a night in the jungle, with giant tarantulas Wrestling with a grizzly bear, and living to tell the tale The fifth installment in the Guys Read Library of Great Reading features ten stories that are 100% amazing, 100% adventurous, 100% unbelievable, and 100% true. A star-studded group of award-winning nonfiction authors and journalists provides something for every reader, all aligned with the Common Core State Standards. Compiled and edited by real-life literature legend Jon Scieszka, Guys Read: True Stories is a mind-blowing collection of essays, biographies, travelogues, and more, all proving that the truth is most definitely out there.

Candace Fleming, Douglas Florian, Elizabeth Partridge, James Sturm, Jim Murphy, Jon Scieszka, Nathan Hale, Steve Sheinkin, Sy Montgomery, T. Edward Nickens, Thanhha Lai, Thanhhà Lai (Author), Adam Conner, Bruce Thomas, Ethan Sawyer, Freda Foh Shen, George Newbern, Greg Itzin, Hillary Huber, Jack Garrett, Jim Beaver, Macleod Andrews, Robin Weigert, Thaao Penghlis (Narrator)

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The Long Road to Gettysburg

On June 3, 1863, 19-year-old Confederate Lieutenant John Dooley prepared to march on Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Thomas Galway, a 17-year-old corporal in the Union army, waited for the battle to begin. Drawing on the written accounts of these young soldiers, Murphy traces the circumstances leading to the dramatic battle of Gettysburg and Lincoln's historic address at the dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg.

Jim Murphy (Author), Ray Childs, Terry Bregy, William Dufris (Narrator)

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The Great Fire

Winner of the Newbery Honor! The Great Fire of 1871 was one of the most colossal disasters in American history-with damage so profound that few people believed the city of Chicago could ever rise again. By weaving personal accounts of actual survivors together with careful research, Jim Murphy constructs a riveting and dramatic narrative, ultimately revealing how the human spirit triumphed even in a time of deepest despair, and the people of Chicago found the courage and strength to build their city once again. Recommended for Grades 5 and up.

Jim Murphy (Author), Taylor Mali (Narrator)

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Across America on an Emigrant Train

In the summer of 1879, the young writer Robert Louis Stevenson received a telegram from America. Fanny, a dear friend in California, was ill. Stevenson packed his bags and left his home in Scotland. When the steamer reached the east coast of America, his journey had just begun. Stevenson had little money, so he traveled across America the cheapest way: he went by train. The trip from New York to Monterey, California, would take two exciting weeks. As the train chugged up mountains, through Indian territory, and over trestle bridges, Stevenson recorded his impressions of the rough, vast country and the people he met. Jim Murphy weaves a lively account of Stevenson's journey with fascinating glimpses of the construction of the transcontinental railroad. It is a vivid introduction to one of the most important chapters in the history of the American West. Richard M. Davidson's compelling narration makes the personal journey and the historical information truly accessible to young listeners.

Jim Murphy (Author), Richard M. Davidson (Narrator)

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Blizzard!: The Storm That Changed America

On March 12, 1888, hurricane-force winds and unrelenting snow began to bring the region of Virginia to Maine to its knees. During the next three days, the Great Blizzard raged out of control, devastating every community in its path. Through the eyes and words of survivors and victims alike, as well as the careful research for which Newbery Honor author Jim Murphy is known, listeners will experience one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history and understand why, from that day on, life in the United States was forever changed. Recommended for Grades 5 and up.

Jim Murphy (Author), Taylor Mali (Narrator)

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The Boys' War: Confederate and Union Soldiers Talk About the Civil War

We all know about the famous generals and the major battles of the Civil War. But for the soldiers who actually fought, the war was all too real. It was especially traumatic for the thousands of soldiers who ranged in age from 10 to 15. Some young soldiers joined the fray to escape the boredom of farm work or to "set the South straight." Many of them kept diaries and wrote letters home. Through their eyes, we see what life was like on the edge of chaos. Some of their writing describes the gruesome details of forced marches and deaths on the battlefield. Balanced with anecdotes of practical jokes they played on one another and interesting people they met, their stories touch our minds and hearts. Ed Sala's interpretation of this well-documented history brings the Civil War to life in a way that few historians could. These everyday details of the war, told in the straightforward language of the young, provide a moving, unforgettable history lesson.

Jim Murphy (Author), Ed Sala (Narrator)

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An American Plague

Newbery Honor and Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor recipient Jim Murphy has written numerous stories based on historical events, such as The Boys' War and The Great Fire. In An American Plague, he tells the story of the 1793 yellow fever epidemic. Bizarre medical practices of the time are discussed, as well as popular historical figures, such as George Washington and Benjamin Rush, who were involved in finding a cure for this horrific outbreak. Pat Bottino's captivating narration adds appeal to this interesting historical tale.

Jim Murphy (Author), Pat Bottino (Narrator)

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