Book description
The riveting second book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Door of No Return trilogy stars Kofi's granddaughter, Charley, who's set on becoming the first female pitcher to play professional ball but who soon has to contend with the tensions about to boil over in her segregated town. You can't protect her from knowing. The truth is all we have. 12-year old Charley Cuffey is many things: a granddaughter, a best friend, and probably the best pitcher in all of Lee's Mill. Set on becoming the first female pitcher to play professional ball, Charley doesn't need reminders from her best friend Cool Willie Green to know that she has lofty dreams for a Black girl in the American South. Even so, Nana Kofi's thrilling stories about courageous ancestors and epic journeys make it impossible not to dream big. She knows he has so many more to tell, but according to her parents, she isn't old enough to know about certain things like what happened to Booker Preston that one night in Great Bridge and why she can never play on the brand-new real deal baseball field on the other side of town. When Charley challenges a neighborhood bully to a game at the church picnic, she knows she can win, even with her ragtag team. But when the picnic spills over onto their ball field, she makes a fateful decision. A child cannot protect herself if she does not know her history, and Charley's choice brings consequences she never could have imagined. In this thrilling second book of the Door of No Return trilogy, set during the turbulent segregation era, and the beginning of The Great Migration, Kwame Alexander weaves a spellbinding story of struggle, determination, and the unflappable faith of an American family.Review"A powerful and thoroughly satisfying blend of sports, history, family saga, and self-discovery."-- Kirkus Reviews, starred reviewReview"Powerful and realistic, this continuing saga offers heartbreaking portrayals of the African American experience."-- Booklist, starred reviewSynopsisThe thrilling second book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Door of No Return trilogy stars Kofi's granddaughter, Charley, who's set on becoming the first female pitcher to play professional ball but who soon has to contend with the tensions about to boil over in her segregated town.You can't protect her from knowing. The truth is all we have. 12-year old Charley Cuffey is many things: a granddaughter, a best friend, and probably the best pitcher in all of Lee's Mill. Set on becoming the first female pitcher to play professional ball, Charley doesn't need reminders from her best friend Cool Willie Green to know that she has lofty dreams for a Black girl in the American South. Even so, Nana Kofi's thrilling stories about courageous ancestors and epic journeys make it impossible not to dream big. She knows he has so many more to tell, but according to her parents, she isn't old enough to know about certain things like what happened to Booker Preston that one night in Great Bridge and why she can never play on the brand-new real deal baseball field on the other side of town. When Charley challenges a neighborhood bully to a game at the church picnic, she knows she can win, even with her ragtag team. But when the picnic spills over onto their ball field, she makes a fateful decision. A child cannot protect herself if she does not know her history, and Charley's choice brings consequences she never could have imagined. In this riveting second book of the Door of No Return trilogy, set during the turbulent segregation era, and the beginning of The Great Migration, Kwame Alexander weaves a spellbinding story of struggle, determination, and the unflappable faith of an American family.About the AuthorKwame Alexander is a poet, educator, publisher, and New York Times bestselling author of more than 35 books, including the Caldecott Medal and Newbery Honor-winning picture book The Undefeated, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, the Coretta Scott king Illustrator Award-winning picture book American Story, the Newbery medal-winning novel, The Crossover, Becoming Muhammad Ali, co-authored with James Patterson, Booked, which was longlisted for the National Book Award, Rebound, Solo and Swing. A regular contributor to NPR's Morning Edition, Kwame is also the recipient of numerous other awards, including the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, the Coretta Scott King Author Honor, three NAACP Image Award Nominations, and the 2017 Inaugural Pat Conroy Legacy Award. He invites you to visit him at kwamealexander.com on IG and Twitter @kwamealexander.
Pogue
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Nessie
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Backstreet
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Ex0tic
Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring! ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Nickname Master
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Sugar Hiccup
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. 🏃♂️📚 Combining fitness and fiction – this app keeps me motivated during workouts with its engaging stories! 🏃♂️📖 ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Foot-long Fry
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Steel Heart
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The Beekeeper
Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it!
Romance Guppy
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance – it's a must-have for any reader. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Elder Pogue
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection – there's always something new to discover. 🚗 Long road trips? No problem – this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! 🚙📚 ListenBook has elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. It's a treasure trove of knowledge. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Dance Cannon
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app!
Orange Teflon
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app! ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Ladybird
This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go – it's my daily companion. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files.
Roller Girl
Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. ⭐️ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality – I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. 👏🎧 Navigating audiobooks effortlessly – this app's functionality is commendable.
Apex
ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true winner. ListenBook’s audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
JK Friend
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook has given me the gift of time – turning daily tasks into moments of inspiration. ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories.
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This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences – time flies by! I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections.
Cumulo
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience