Music and sound effects accentuate the moods in this nonfiction picture book about the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. January LaVoy narrates with a range of emotions. She opens cheerfully, detailing the thriving Black community's prosperity, reading the repeated refrains: "Once upon a time in Greenwood . . ." and "Once upon a time on Black Wall Street . . ." City sounds and bright music play. Then the listener hears the ominous thud of an elevator landing and its metal grate opening--the beginnings of a racially motivated massacre. Tense music and the sounds of chaos punctuate the ensuing violence. Against a background of discordant music, LaVoy somberly details the aftermath--hundreds dead, thousands homeless, Greenwood in ruins. Her voice turns optimistic, however, reading the author's exhortation to "choose hope." The author reads the illustrator's and author's notes.
(Informational picture book. 8-12)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2021
Duration: 19 mins
DD ISBN: 9781666502169
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
An engaging performance by Cary Hite enlivens this accessible history of basketball for young listeners, with a focus on the men's game and an "overtime" section devoted to the women's. Hite narrates with relish and an audible appreciation for the sport's evolution from a glorified game of hot potato to today's fast-paced competitions. Hite gives listeners a courtside view of hardwood feats from legendary ballers as they elevate the game with signature moves and lead the way forward for successive generations of players alongside crucial developments, such as the introduction of shot clocks and the Harlem Globetrotters' skillful, exciting play style. This informative production, paired with a warm and assured narration, has appeal for all ages.
(Nonfiction. 9-13)Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668654729
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Nekia Renee Martin guides listeners through a surprisingly comprehensive account of 19th-century African American resistance. Despite the title, the chronological territory covered ranges well beyond abolition and the Civil War to Reconstruction and the beginnings of Jim Crow. Martin's strong yet musical narration introduces youngsters to such touch points as the slave trade, the Underground Railroad, the Dred Scott decision, Black soldiers in the Union Army, the Freedmen's Bureau, and more. Kids will meet a panoply of notable Black individuals, including journalists, inventors, statesmen, and activists. There's so much information that the audiobook has a hodgepodge feel. Martin's steady cadence helps keep listeners oriented to this serviceable introduction to African American history.
(Nonfiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Dec. 9, 2025
Duration: 4 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217157105
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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