Book description
This unique magic-school fantasy series debut from the award-winning author of the Tristan Strong trilogy mixes Black history and thrilling adventure for young readers On his twelfth birthday, Jackson "Jax" Freeman arrives at Chicago's Union Station alone, carrying nothing but the baggage of a scandal back in Raleigh. He's been sent away from home to live with relatives he barely knows. But even worse are the strangers who accost him at the train station, including a food vendor who throws dust in his face and a conductor who tries to steal his skin. At his new school, Jax is assigned to a special class for "summoners," even though he has no idea what those are . . . until he accidentally unleashes an angry spirit on school grounds. Soon Jax is embroiled in all kinds of trouble, from the disappearance of a new friend to full-out war between summoning families. When Jax learns that he isn't the first Freeman to be blamed for a tragedy he didn't create, he resolves to clear his own name and that of his great-grandfather, who was a porter back in the 1920's. By following clues, Jax and his schoolmates unlock the secrets of a powerful Praise House, evade vengeful ghosts, and discover that Jax may just be the most talented summoner of all. What do you get when you combine Kwame Mbalia's incredible imagination and world-building talent with trains, history, and ghosts? Nothing less than middle grade magicReview"Jax Freeman is my new best friend. I loved everything about this book-the characters, the humor, the page-turning adventure. I'm glad Kwame Mbalia is such a prolific writer because I will be bugging him for the sequel immediately."-Rick Riordan, New York Times #1 best-selling author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians "Funny, fast-paced, and full of heart and adventure. You'll be laughing and cheering and racing through the pages-and guessing right up to the end."-Shannon Messenger, New York Times best-selling author of the Keeper of Lost Cities series and Sky Fall series *"With Jax's humor and wit shining even in the darkest moments, fans of Tristan Strong and magic-school stories will want this one on their shelves." -Booklist (starred review)About the AuthorKwame Mbalia is a #1 New York Times best-selling author and the publisher of Freedom Fire, an imprint of Disney Hyperion devoted to stories about the Black diaspora by Black creators. His debut middle-grade novel, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, was awarded a Coretta Scott King Author Honor, and it was followed by Tristan Strong Destroys the World and Tristan Strong Keeps Punching. Kwame lives with his wife and children outside Raleigh, North Carolina, where he is currently working on the next Jax Freeman adventure. For more information, go to www.KwameMbalia.com.
Nessie
Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Dorothy Solitaire
ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Bambi Wings
Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Spicy Thunder
This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine – it's a habit I cherish.
Twine X
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections – I'm discovering hidden gems! Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options.
Silent
This app is a book lover's dream come true – a vast library right at your fingertips. 🏝️ Basking in the sun with an audiobook – relaxation meets storytelling paradise! ☀️📖 Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
CyberScribe
Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature! This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
MrOnsTr
I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature! Tone adjustment is a brilliant addition that lets me personalize the narration to my liking. It adds an extra layer of connection to the audiobooks. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Aqua Monsoon
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
21st Street
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. ListenBook's audio filters and controls have turned my listening into a personalized experience. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a true gem. ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use. ListenBook has streamlined my audiobook experience. It's a must-have app for enthusiasts.
CuriousCoder
ListenBook's seamless audio player has turned my listening sessions into moments of pure delight. ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal – unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Referee
With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's a convenient habit. ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features. This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
Metal Aphrodite
I love how this app brings stories to life, even during my morning jogs. Audiobooks on demand – this app's functionality is a true technological gem.
HedgeH0g2
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Starshine
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. ListenBook's compatibility with multiple downloading methods ensures there's always a way to get my content. ListenBook has rekindled my love for audiobooks. The app's interface is beautiful and user-friendly.
Toe
ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends.
Natural Gold
With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces – this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. 📱🔊 Finally, an app that handles all my audiobook formats effortlessly. ListenBook is a must-have!
Curio
The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. 🎉 Rekindling my love for stories – this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! 📖🚀 ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere. 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.
Cabbie
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle – I can enjoy books while doing chores! ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's functionality is a reader's delight.
Demo Tequila
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. Audiobook immersion made simple – this app's ease of use is commendable. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
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