Who are your heroes? How did you first “meet” them? Who are the people whose stories you would most like to share with the youngest generation? Read more
Whether you’ve been following these writers for years or are discovering their work for the first time, check out these eight short story and essay collections written or curated by bestselling, award-winning, and debut black authors. Read more
“I’m really not sure what I would have done without great audiobooks,” says Scott Reintgen. Learn why listening to audiobooks is his go-to classroom strategy. Plus, the audiobook producer and narrator share behind-the-scenes details from the recording of this action-packed Hear Diversity pick. Read more
In this guest blog post, Cartaya brings listeners inside the recording studio, describing how he connected with his characters while reading his audiobook. Plus, he shares how audiobooks have made a difference in his family. Read more
Author Ellen Oh shares her thoughts on the importance of diversity in children’s literature and how audiobooks enhance diverse stories in this interview with her editor, Crown Books for Young Readers co-publisher, Phoebe Yeh. Plus, hear clips from every short story in FLYING LESSONS & OTHER STORIES. Edited by Ellen, this incredible anthology includes stories by bestselling authors Walter Dean Myers, Jacqueline Woodson, Matt de la Peña, Grace Lin, Tim Federle, Meg Medina, Tim Tingle, Soman Chainani, and Kwame Alexander—plus new author and We Need Diverse Books contest winner Kelly J. Baptist. Read more
by Emily Parliman, Editor at Listening Library
TURNING 15 ON THE ROAD TO FREEDOM is an award-winning memoir by Lynda Blackmon Lowery who, at age 15, was the youngest person to walk all the way from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, as part of the 1965 Selma Rights Voting March. The book was adapted for stage by director Ally Sheedy (The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo’s Fire) and actress Damaras Obi. Lynda told WMAC Northeast Public Radio: “The first time I saw [Damaras] I was in awe. This girl is awesome.” We were lucky enough to have Damaras narrate the audiobook, with Ally directing. Here they discuss what it was like to adapt the memoir into a play, and then collaborate on the audiobook: Read more
Ashley Hope PĂ©rez sets her riveting story of love and tragedy in an East Texas oil town against the backdrop of the 1937 New London school explosion, one of the worst school disasters in American history. In this historical context, she explores racism and segregation, posing thought-provoking questions about these divisive forces. A must-listen Hear Diversity pick, OUT OF DARKNESS is a beautifully rendered, multi-layered story that demonstrates the power of bringing diverse voices alive on audiobook. Read more
Being a teenager in Alaska isn’t like growing up anywhere else. Transport listeners to America’s Last Frontier in this unique and spellbinding YA debut, perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell, Louise Erdrich, and Sherman Alexie. Read by Alaskan Native Erin Tripp and a full cast, the audio delivers an authentic representation of a young Inupiaq girl’s life—a perfect addition to your audio diversity shelf. Find out how this special production was cast and hear a clip from an audiobook that the author called “a first of its kind collaboration.” Read more
Share powerful stories with young listeners, including essential non-fiction and historical listens, biographies of notable black heroes, and award-winning stories from bestselling authors. Plus, request two FREE CD samplers and learn how you can further diversify your audio collection at HearDiversity.com. Read more
Everyone is talking about EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING, the beautifully heartfelt YA debut that became an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. And thanks to Odyssey Award-winner Bahni Turpin‘s brilliant narration, this audiobook is a true listening treat. But you don’t have to take our word for it… Read more