The Hero Next Door Audiobook

From We Need Diverse Books, the organization behind Flying Lessons & Other Stories, comes another middle-grade short story collection--this one focused on exploring acts of bravery--featuring some of the best own-voices children's authors, including R. J. Palacio (Wonder), Rita Williams-Garcia (One Crazy Summer), Linda Sue Park (A Long Walk to Water), and many more. Not all heroes wear capes. Some heroes teach martial arts. Others talk to ghosts. A few are inventors or soccer players. They're also sisters, neighbors, and friends. Because heroes come in many shapes and sizes. But they all have one thing in common: they make the world a better place. Published in partnership with We Need Diverse Books, this vibrant anthology features thirteen acclaimed authors whose powerful and diverse voices show how small acts of kindness can save the day. So pay attention, because a hero could be right beside you. Or maybe the hero is you. AUTHORS INCLUDE: William Alexander, Joseph Bruchac, Lamar Giles, Mike Jung, Hena Khan, Juana Medina, Ellen Oh, R. J. Palacio, Linda Sue Park and Anna Dobbin, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Ronald L. Smith, Rita Williams-Garcia, and short-story contest winner Suma Subramaniam Audiobook Table of Contents: FOREWORD by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, read by Adenrele Ojo MINNOWS AND ZOMBIES by Rita Williams-Garcia, read by Caitlin Gold ONE WISH by Ronald L. Smith, read by Dominic Hoffman THE ASSIST by Linda Sue Park and Anna Dobbin, read by Kirby Heyborne HOME by Hena Khan, read by Erin Cahill ELLISON’S CORNUCOPIA: A LOGAN COUNTY STORY by Lamar Giles, read by Kristen Ariza RESCUE by Suma Subramaniam, read by Renee Dorian THE SAVE by Joseph Bruchac, read by Chris Browning LOS ABUELOS, TWO BRIGHT MINDS by Juana Medina, read by Laura Ortiz THROWN by Mike Jung, read by Maxwell Glick A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND by Cynthia Leitich Smith, read by Taylor Meskimen EVERLY’S OTHERWORLDLY DILEMMA by Ellen Oh, read by Dylan Moore REINA MADRID by Suma Subramaniam, read by Frankie Corzo GO FISH by William Alexander, read by Mike Chamberlain

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“Fourteen stellar narrators each read one short story in this anthology by a diverse group of authors. The fictional stories all feature ordinary young people performing extraordinary acts of kindness and friendship. Some are large and heroic, and some are seemingly small but still meaningful. Most memorable is ‘Reina Madrid’ by R. J. Palacio, in which narrator Frankie Corzo brings 1970s Queens to life with New York accents and exquisite Spanish pronunciation. The stories cross genres from contemporary to fantasy to mystery, so there is something for every listener. Each story is about twenty-five minutes long, making it great for short car trips. Listeners will be inspired to spread kindness and help make the world a better place.”

— AudioFile