Book description
The powerful and timely YA novel debut from two-time New York Times best-selling author Frederick Joseph is a deeply heartfelt story—and a rallying cry against book banning.In an instant, Ossie Brown’s entire future is in jeopardy when a torn ACL ends his promising basketball career. Now that basketball is no longer a major part of his identity, Ossie—a Black teen who doesn’t come from wealth and privilege—must navigate his new place in the social and academic ecosystems of his affluent, predominantly white school. When a Black teacher encourages him to join her highly regarded writing program, Ossie begins to find a new purpose, buoyed by not only the rich works of literature by marginalized authors he’s now reading, but also by new friends who see him as something more than an asset to the sports program. Everything changes when some students’ viral “anti-woke” video puts the teacher’s job, the writing program, and even Ossie’s friends’ safety at risk—and Ossie must find his true voice. This unflinching novel confronts critical issues like racism and classism, the treatment of student athletes, homophobia, and book banning while weaving together a moving testament to family, romance, friendship, and the power of words.
About the Author
Frederick Joseph is a Yonkers, New York–raised two-time New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. His books include the poetry collection We Alive, Beloved; the nonfiction works Patriarchy Blues, The Black Friend, and Better Than We Found It, co-written with Porsche Joseph; the picture book Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: The Courage to Dream, illustrated by Nikkolas Smith; and the forthcoming YA novel This Thing of Ours. He was recognized with a 2021 International Literacy Association Young Adult Book Award, was named to the 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for marketing and advertising, and is an activist, philanthropist, and poet. Frederick Joseph was also honored with a 2023 Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Vanguard Award and the 2018 Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, and he was selected for the 2018 Root 100, a list of the most influential African Americans.
IdeaAlchemy
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Midnight Rambler
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Killer Merlot
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Knock Out Star
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Boost Princess
With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience.
Trip
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Lady Fantastic
ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly – this app's functionality is commendable. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
Chameleon
I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. Streamlining my audiobook journey – this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. 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! A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Lunar Treat
The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter! Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
Eye Candy Kitten
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. 🚗📖 Road trips have never been this entertaining – this app keeps me engaged on the highway! 🚙🎉 🎉 This app is a testament to thoughtful design – its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. 📚✨ Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. 📱🔊 Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Iron Butterfly
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Energy
Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature.
Trash Sling
This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time. 💡 This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! 📱👩🍳
High Deck
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Fast Draw
This app has transformed my screen time into valuable learning and entertainment. I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. ⏰ Starting my mornings with inspiration – audiobooks make waking up a joyous literary experience! ☀️🎧 Library organization has never been easier thanks to ListenBook. My collection is well-managed.
Wonder Lady
With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, becoming an indispensable companion for various activities. Its user-friendly interface, features, and performance make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Sir Shark
The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light.
Mule Lock
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Lightening Trip
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. I've fallen in love with genres I never thought I'd explore, all thanks to this app. ListenBook's commitment to delivering an exceptional audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
New York Mood
I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
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