Audiobooks by William Alexander

Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World: A History

New York Times bestselling author William Alexander takes readers on the surprisingly twisty journey of the beloved tomato in this fascinating and erudite microhistory. The tomato gets no respect. Never has. Lost in the dustbin of history for centuries, accused of being vile and poisonous, subjected to being picked hard-green and gassed, even used as a projectile, the poor tomato has become the avatar for our disaffection with industrial foods - while becoming the most popular vegetable in America (and, in fact, the world). Each summer, tomato festivals crop up across the country; the Heinz ketchup bottle, instantly recognizable, has earned a spot in the Smithsonian; and now the tomato is redefining the very nature of farming, moving from fields into climate-controlled mega-greenhouses the size of New England villages. Supported by meticulous research and told in a lively, accessible voice, Ten Tomatoes That Changed the World seamlessly weaves travel, history, humor, and a little adventure (and misadventure) to follow the tomato's trail through history. A fascinating story complete with heroes, con artists, conquistadors, and-no surprise-the Mafia, this book is a mouth-watering, informative, and entertaining guide to the food that has captured our hearts for generations.

William Alexander (Author), Paul Bellantoni (Narrator)

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The Hero Next Door

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

Anna Dobbin, Cynthia Leitich, Ellen Oh, Hena Khan, Joseph Bruchac, Juana Medina, Lamar Giles, Linda Sue Park, Mike Jung, R.J. Palacio, William Alexander (Author), Adenrele Ojo, Various (Narrator)

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Nomad

When we last left Earth's Ambassador, Gabe Fuentes, he was stranded on the moon. But when Kaen, another Ambassador picks him up, he finds himself embroiled in an intergalactic war. The Outlast - a race of aliens which has been systematically wiping out all other creatures- are coming. And they might set their sights on Earth next. Enter Nadia. She was Earth's Ambassador before Gabe, but left her post in order to stop the Outlast. Now she is racing across the galaxy, trying to stay one step ahead of them. Because the Outlast have a secret: they are able to travel in quantum channels in between planets, channels developed by the mysterious Machinae. Nadia is trying to reach the Machinae to get them to close their channels to the Outlast once and for all-but no one has even seen a Machinae in centuries. Gabe and Kaen defend their homeworlds, buying time for Nadia as the Outlast track her down across the Galaxy. But no one can outrun the Outlast for long. Can Nadia reach the Machinae in time to save their world?

William Alexander (Author), William Alexander (Narrator)

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Ambassador

Gabe Fuentes is reading under the covers one summer night when he is interrupted by a creature who looks like a purple sock puppet. The sock puppet introduces himself as the Envoy and asks if Gabe wants to be Earth's Ambassador to the Universe. What sane 12-year-old could refuse? Some ingenious tinkering with the washing machine sends Gabe's entangled self out to the center of the galaxy. There he finds that Earth is in the path of a destructive alien force causing multiple mass extinctions--and Gabe himself is the target of an assassination plot. Exactly who wants him out of the way? And why? Back home Gabe discovers that his parents are illegal aliens, and in imminent danger of being deported. Can Gabe survive long enough to solve two sets of alien problems?

William Alexander (Author), William Alexander (Narrator)

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Ghoulish Song

A brave girl flees a ghoul while trying to save her town in this lively, fast-paced companion to National Book Award winner Goblin Secrets. Kaile lives in Zombay, an astonishing city where goblins walk the streets and witches work their charms and curses. Kaile wants to be a musician and is delighted when a goblin gives her a flute carved out of bone. But the flute's single, mournful song has a dangerous consequence: It separates Kaile and her shadow. Anyone without a shadow is considered dead, and despite Kaile's protests that she's alive and breathing, her family forces her to leave so she can't haunt their home. Kaile and her shadow soon learn that the troublesome flute is tied to a terrifying ghoul made from the bones of those who drowned in the Zombay River. With the ghoul chasing her and the river threatening to flood, Kaile has an important role to play in keeping Zombay safe. Will Kaile and her shadow be able to learn the right tune in time? Set in the delightful and dangerous world of Goblin Secrets, Ghoulish Song is a gripping adventure laced with humor and mystery from National Book Award-winning author William Alexander.

William Alexander (Author), William Alexander (Narrator)

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Goblin Secrets

A boy joins a theatrical troupe of goblins to find his missing brother in this "fantasy stuffed with interesting ideas" (Publishers Weekly). In the town of Zombay, there is a witch named Graba who has clockwork chicken legs and moves her house around-much like the fairy tale figure of Baba Yaga. Graba takes in stray children, and Rownie is the youngest boy in her household. Rownie's only real relative is his older brother Rowan, who is an actor. But acting is outlawed in Zombay, and Rowan has disappeared. Desperate to find him, Rownie joins up with a troupe of goblins who skirt the law to put on plays. But their plays are not only for entertainment, and the masks they use are for more than make-believe. The goblins also want to find Rowan-because Rowan might be the only person who can save the town from being flooded by a mighty river. This accessible, atmospheric fantasy takes a gentle look at love, loss, and family while delivering a fast-paced adventure that is sure to satisfy.

William Alexander (Author), William Alexander (Narrator)

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