Biography & Memoir Audiobooks

Classical Composers

Smith Show Media presents Classical Composers written by Thomas Tapper. These are stories about classical music creators.

Thomas Tapper (Author), Uncredited (Narrator)

Audiobook

Escape!: The Story of the Great Houdini

Nothing could hold him! He was the Escape King! He was The Great Houdini! But before that he was Ehrich Weiss, a poor immigrant boy with big dreams. Before long he was reinventing himself by making elephants disappear (among other illusions) and perfecting his escapes from chains, handcuffs and straightjackets. This witty and insightful biography by Newbery Award Winner Sid Fleischman tells as much as it dares! Recommended for Grades 4 and up.

Sid Fleischman (Author), Taylor Mali (Narrator)

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Riding Freedom

Charlotte Parkhurst was raised in an orphanage for boys, which suited her just fine. She didn't like playing with dolls, she could hold her own in a fight, and she loved to work in the stable. Charlotte had a special way with horses and wanted to spend her life training and riding them on a ranch of her own. The problem was, as a girl in the mid-1800s, Charlotte was expected to live a much different life-one without the freedoms she dreamed of. But Charlotte was smart and determined, and she figured out a way to live her life the way she wanted. Charlotte became an expert horse rider, a legendary stagecoach driver, and the first woman ever to vote. And she did these things at a time when they were outlawed for women. How? With a plan so clever and so secret-almost no one figured it out. Recommended for Grades 4 and up.

Pam Munoz Ryan, Pam Muñoz Ryan, Pat Lessie (Author), Melissa Hughes (Narrator)

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Warriors Don't Cry: The Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High

Drawn from personal diaries, Warriors Don't Cry is the riveting true story of Melba Beals's experience as one of the first nine black teenagers chosen to integrate the Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, 1957.

Melba Patillo Beals, Melba Pattillo Beals (Author), Lisa Renee Pitts, Lisa Reneé Pitts (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Double Life of Pocahontas

Pocahontas was the special favorite of her father, the great chief Pawhatan. And when the English settlers came to Virginia, she became a "sister" to Captain John Smith, who was "adopted" into her tribe. She was permitted to move freely between the Indian and white worlds, and her life seemed perfect. But soon there was trouble. Pocahontas was kidnapped by the settlers, who forced her to live like a white woman. She yearned for her father to meet the colonists' demands so all would be well again. But before Pocahontas made peace, she would be asked to turn her back on everything she loved-and to leave her Indian world behind forever. Highly acclaimed and winner of multiple awards, this book is recommended for Grades 4 and up.

Jean Fritz (Author), Melissa Hughes (Narrator)

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Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade

"Everyone's a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Who first invented these ""upside-down puppets"? Meet Tony Sarg, puppeteer extraordinaire! In brilliant collage illustrations, the award-winning artist Melissa Sweet tells the story of the puppeteer Tony Sarg, capturing his genius, his dedication, his zest for play, and his long-lasting gift to America--the inspired helium balloons that would become the trademark of Macy's Parade.

Melissa Sweet (Author), John McDonough (Narrator)

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Animal Heroes: True Rescue Stories

Learn about animals, both domestic and wild, who have become heroes when they came to the rescue of humans.

Sandra Markle (Author), Jodi Dick (Narrator)

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Belieber!: Fame, Faith, and the Heart of Justin Bieber

Are you a Belieber? Justin Bieber’s meteoric rise from a regular kid in small-town Canada to “the most famous teenager on the planet” has captivated the imagination of a generation of young devotees known as “Beliebers.” With record-setting album sales, more than 11 million followers on Twitter and the highest-grossing concert film of all time, the 17-year-old pop star has legions of fans around the globe who hang on his every word. Is there something more to Bieber’s unprecedented success than his innate cuteness and preternatural musical talents? Could a powerful spiritual yearning be lurking behind all the purple and puppy-love lyrics? With the keen eye of a veteran religion journalist and culture watcher, Cathleen Falsani takes an in-depth look at how the bold yet humble faith of this teenage uber-celebrity is not only a key to his staggering popularity, but an influence that is shaping the lives and hearts of young people (and more than a few of their parents) worldwide. ***Please Contact Member Services for Additional Documents***

Cathleen Falsani (Author), Cathleen Falsani (Narrator)

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Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

Laban Carrick Hill, the bestselling author of the National Book Award Finalist Harlem Stomp, here delivers an inspiring and lyrical story of a gifted craftsman who lived in South Carolina two centuries ago. Dave's superb artistry and the deeply observant poetry he carved onto his pots reveal how he transcended the limitations he faced as a slave.

Laban Carrik Hill (Author), Kevin R. Free (Narrator)

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Counting Coup

Picture a Crow Indian elder, his wizened eyes catching yours in the ancient flicker of firelight. His mesmerizing stories span the ages, from Custer to World War II to the 21st Century. He is the last traditional chief of his people. He is over 90 years old. Now picture that same man lecturing at colleges nationwide, and addressing the United Nations on the subject of peace. National Geographic presents the amazing life story of Joseph Medicine Crow, the man who begins life as Winter Man. Trained as a warrior by his grandfather, Yellowtail, he bathes in icy rivers and endures the ceremony of "counting coup"-facing fierce combat with an enemy Sioux boy. An operation at the local hospital brings the young Crow face-to-face with his worst fears: a Sioux, a ghost, and a white man. He excels at the white man's school and is raised in the Baptist faith. He translates the stories of the elder chiefs, becoming the link to the ancient traditions of the pre-reservation generation. His own dramatic and funny stories span both ages, and the ancient Crow legends are passed on in the storytelling tradition. Joseph Medicine Crow's doctorate degree was interrupted by the call to arms of World War II. On the battlefields of Germany he earned the ancient status of War Chief by completing the four war deeds required of the Crow warrior. In 1948 the Crow Tribal Council appointed Joseph Medicine Crow (now called High Bird) their Tribal Historian and Anthropologist. Counting Coup is a vibrant adventure narrative, bringing Native American history and culture alive for young readers. Joseph Medicine Crow's story illuminates the challenges faced by the Crow people as hurricanes of change raged through America. His epic story and its lessons are an essential legacy for us all.

Joseph Medicine Crow (Author), Henry Strozier (Narrator)

Audiobook

When Elephants Fight

"When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. This ancient proverb of the Kikuyu people, a tribal group in Kenya, Africa, is as true today as when the words were first spoken, perhaps thousands of years ago. Its essence is simplicity--when the large fight, it is the small who suffer most. And when it comes to war, the smallest, the most vulnerable, are the children. When Elephants Fight presents the stories of five children--Annu, Jimmy, Nadja, Farooq and Toma--from five very different and distinct conflicts--Sri Lanka, Uganda, Sarajevo, Afghanistan and the Sudan. Along with these very personal accounts, the book also offers brief analyses of the history and geopolitical issues that are the canvas on which these conflicts are cast. When Elephants Fight is about increasing awareness. For the future to be better than the past, better than the present, we must help equip our children with an awareness and understanding of the world around them and their ability to bring about change. Gandhi stated, ""If you are going to change the world, start with the children."" "

Adrian Bradbury, Eric Walters (Author), Korey Jackson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Stephenie Meyer: Author of the Twilight Saga

A biography of American novelist Stephenie Meyer, author of the best-selling Twilight saga.

Lisa Albert (Author), Angela Goethals (Narrator)

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