Our Products – Backstage Stories

Disappearing Act

by Sid Fleischman

What do you do when your mother disappears and a strange man starts stalking you? If you're Kevin and Holly Kidd, you try to lose yourself in the wacky world of Venice Beach, California, where boardwalk entertainers do everything from juggling watermelons to telling fortunes to try to make a living.

Soon Kevin and Holly find themselves making a new home among these larger-than-life characters. But just when Holly seems set to achieve her dream of starring in an opera, the Toad reappears, more menacing than ever. How can Kevin save the show—and his sister?

Join the Full Cast Family for a delightful romp as they bring Sid Fleischman’s funny, fast paced, suspenseful novel of two young people on the run to new life on audio.

Dunk

by David Lubar

GIANT CASSETTE SALE ITEM!!

A sizzling young adult novel about Chad, a teenager living near the New Jersey boardwalk who becomes obsessed with the Bozo—the clown who sits above a tank of water, taunting people until they pay a couple of bucks to try to dunk him. But even as he tries to master the slashing humor of the Bozo, Chad finds he also needs to learn humor’s healing power if he is to help his best friend recover from a serious illness. Emotionally rich, filled with fascinating detail about life on the Boardwalk, this is David Lubar’s breakthrough novel.

The Entertainer and the Dybbuk

by Sid Fleischman

After World War II, sergeant Freddie T. Birch’s ventriloquist act takes a radical turn when he is possessed by the ghost of Avrom Amos, a twelve-year-old Jewish boy killed by the Nazis.

Though Freddie is deeply annoyed by the little invader, he finds that working together his act goes from third rate to top notch.

Unfortunately for Freddie, Avrom has other things in mind besides just making people laugh. He’s on a quest for revenge, and despite the sometimes hilarious havoc it wreaks on Freddie’s personal life, the dybbuk plans to track down his Nazi murderer and bring him to justice.

Eyes Like Stars

by Lisa Mantchev

The Theatre Illuminata is home to every play ever written – and to Beatrice Shakespeare Smith ("Bertie" for short), who was left on its doorstep as an infant. Now she lives on its stage and consorts with spirits, pirates, kings, and… well, in short, every character ever to stride the boards.

Constantly accompanied (whether she wants to be or not) by four cake-obsessed fairies, Bertie can't seem to stay out of trouble. It's gotten so bad that management is ready to throw her out, unless she can – against all odds – prove her worth to the theater.

With its willful and engaging heroine, dazzling concept, and host of Shakespearian characters, Lisa Mantchev's debut novel is itself like a great piece of theatre. Shifting effortlessly from hilarity to romance to loss to redemption, it is bound to delight anyone who has ever dreamed of the stage.

Gilbert & Sullivan Set Me Free

by Kathleen Karr

Based on a true incident, this moving novel tells the story of a production of Gilbert & Sullivan's “Pirates of Penzance”—as performed by the inmates of a women's prison in 1914! Infused with music, beautifully researched and filled with fascinating characters, this is great teen listening.

Hobart

by Anita Briggs

Hobart yearns to become a world famous tap dancer. Of course, this isn't easy when you are born a pig. But Hobart is one of the world's great optimists, and he is convinced that if he can just keep himself and his siblings Violet (an acrobat), Byron (a poet), and Wilfred (a singer) from being turned into pork chops that they can make their dreams come true. Anita Briggs herself narrates, and the high-spirited musical finale will delight listeners of all ages.

The Kite Rider (Temporarily Out of Stock - more coming soon)

by Geraldine McCaughrean

PLEASE NOTE: This title is currently on backorder. Expect a 3-4 week delay in shipping. We apologize for the inconvenience.

A soaring story that will sweep listeners from the docks of China to the court of Kublai Khan as young Haoyou learns to ride the winds strapped to a great scarlet kite in the traveling circus of the Great Miao.

But other winds swirl about Haoyou, winds of revenge and deceit and greed. And no matter how high he flies, there is always greedy Uncle Bo, holding him like an anchor, waiting to drag him down.

A breathtaking historical novel from two time Whitbread Prize winner Geraldine McCaughrean.

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