Randy Ran

You wake up floating horizontally in a coffin-sized chamber filled with a strange, blue gelatinous fluid. You have no memory of what this place is, why you are here, or even who you are. This is the beginning of a unique storytelling experience where you are placed directly into the action. As a listener, you hold the power to choose your destiny. Usually, a narrator describes the circumstances, you reach a decision point, and you choose what happens next. That is how the system has always worked, until this very moment. Now, you choose to team up directly with the narrator, collaborating to shape the unfolding story. You are an unnamed teenager desperately trying to piece together reality after waking from suspended animation in a vacant, underground bunker. With every twist, turn, and choice you make, you and the narrator slowly recover the missing fragments of your past. This immersive audio adventure challenges you to navigate a thrilling science fiction mystery, where the shocking truth waiting in the dark will transform you both.

Jay Reguero has his final semester of high school completely mapped out. You plan to spend the next few months playing video games and coasting until you leave for the University of Michigan in the fall. Then, devastating news shatters your routine. Your Filipino cousin Jun has been murdered, a victim of President Rodrigo Duterte's violent war on drugs. When your family refuses to speak about the tragedy, you know you cannot simply stay home and do nothing. You travel to the Philippines determined to uncover the real story behind Jun's death. Navigating a country that feels both familiar and entirely foreign, you must investigate the events that led to this horrific outcome. As you dig deeper into Jun's life, you are forced to confront the many complex sides of your cousin. Before you can face the horrible truth of what happened, you must also reckon with the part you played in it. This powerful coming-of-age story explores grief, guilt, and the dangerous risks of pursuing justice. It is a gripping portrayal of the struggle to reconcile faith, family, and immigrant identity.

Your training at the Southern Air Temple has only just begun, but the demands of being the Avatar are already catching up with you. When your old friend Prince Sozin asks for your help to stop the Earth Kingdom from claiming a remote Fire Nation island, you cannot simply say no. Despite your severe lack of experience, you slip away on a secret mission, accompanied by an irritating but loyal young Airbender named Gyatso. As you and your reluctant companion dive deeper into this dangerous conflict, you realize the political dispute is masking a much greater threat. Plagued by self-doubt but desperate to prove your worth, you must fight for your life to ensure the island's hidden secrets do not fall into the wrong hands. This searing fantasy adventure takes you back to the beginning of Roku's complex journey. You will witness the crucial moments that transformed a privileged Fire Nation noble into a powerful leader, exploring the early hesitations that might eventually spark a devastating global war.

Four generations of Filipino American boys navigate the heavy expectations of family, masculinity, and identity across a century of profound change. In 1930s California, Francisco struggles to survive agricultural labor while facing rising violence. By 1965, his son Emil is working night shifts in Stockton, determined to build a successful life in America regardless of who he must leave behind. Jumping to Denver in 1983, you meet Chris, who resents his overbearing father Emil. When a school assignment forces Chris into the library, he discovers a deep fascination with his ancestral history, even as his father dismisses it. Finally, in Philadelphia during the 2020 pandemic, Enzo battles severe anxiety when his abrasive grandfather moves in. As tensions rise between Enzo's dad and his grandfather, Enzo wonders if his daily walks can bridge a generational rift that has lasted decades. Unfolding like a beautifully crafted nesting doll, this emotionally charged novel follows each boy as he forges his own path. You will discover how flaws, values, and virtues are passed down, leaving it up to the youngest generation to finally braid their family back together.

Four friends from wildly different backgrounds have shared an unbreakable bond over Dungeons & Dragons since the sixth grade. Now, you and your party are facing senior year, and major shifts are threatening to tear your universes apart. Math whiz Archie is struggling with his parents' divorce after his father comes out as gay. Mari is terrified by life-altering news from her adoptive mother. Dante is carrying a massive secret that is becoming impossible to keep hidden. When Sam gets unexpectedly dumped by the love of his life, your entire group decides to take action. Everyone is ready to join Sam on a massive cross-country quest to win her back. However, you quickly discover that the open road is far less forgiving than a fantasy campaign, and real life is no simple game. You must face a supreme test of friendship where the stakes are higher than a roll of the dice. This engaging road trip novel explores complex family dynamics, loyalty, and the difficult transition into adulthood where the outcomes are truly life and death.

Three years have passed since the disaster on Lambak Island, and Roku has finally mastered the art of airbending. You are on track to become the powerful Avatar the world so desperately needs. However, the path to fully realizing your potential is never simple. While traveling to Agna Qela, you encounter a mysterious and devastating illness. Refusing to ignore the suffering around you, you delay your journey and the next crucial phase of your training to stop the outbreak from spreading. As you venture deeper into the frozen North, you quickly realize there is much more to this deadly malady than meets the eye. The danger escalates, forcing you to rely on the help of your loyal friend Gyatso and a gifted Waterbender named Makittuq. You must race against time to contain the crisis before it completely ravages the Northern Water Tribe and spreads beyond their borders. This suspenseful fantasy adventure challenges you to trust your own instincts as you fight to restore peace to a world hovering on the very brink of catastrophe.

Bunny and Nasir have been best friends for as long as anyone can remember. But when Bunny accepts an athletic scholarship to play basketball at a prestigious school across town, Nasir feels completely betrayed. While Bunny struggles to fit in with his new, highly privileged peers, you watch as Nasir drifts away, choosing to spend his time with his cousin Wallace, who is facing eviction. Nasir cannot help but resent how the entire neighborhood bends over backwards to support Bunny's success, while completely ignoring Wallace's desperate situation. The tension between the former friends reaches a breaking point when Wallace makes a dangerous bet against Bunny's team. Nasir is suddenly forced to make an impossible decision that could permanently alter all of their futures. Told from alternating perspectives, this heart-pounding story explores the heavy responsibilities that come with exceptional talent and the vital importance of compassion. You will be kept on the edge of your seat as you navigate the complex intersection of loyalty, ambition, and survival on and off the court.

Daddy has lost his keys again, and he needs a quick favor. He hands you his water bottle and says one simple word: Hold. What starts as a boring request suddenly becomes the best game ever! If holding one thing is fun, holding everything must be even better. You grab your favorite stuffed animal, your toy airplane, and even the family pet. Your arms are getting incredibly full, but the world has so many amazing things to carry. You set your sights on bigger prizes, like the falling rain and the trees in the yard. As your pile grows taller and heavier, you might find you have taken on more than you can manage. Thankfully, when everything comes tumbling down, Daddy is always there with his arms wide open. This funny, heartwarming picture book celebrates boundless curiosity and the comforting bond between parent and child.

Turn up your ears and tune into the magnificent concert happening right in your own backyard. This vibrant journey invites you to quiet down, listen closely, and discover the hidden melodies echoing all around you. From the gentle hum of the wind to the rhythmic chatter of the neighborhood, you will learn how to recognize nature's incredible chorus. As the quiet overture builds into a massive, joyful symphony, you will feel the words vibrate like thunder inside your chest. It is not just about hearing the music; it is about finding the unique song that lives exclusively inside you. With sweeping inspiration and colorful energy, this adventure guides you to open your mouth and let your personal groove take over. Get ready to tap your feet, find your voice, and sing out from the very bottom of your soul.

Brontorina has a dream that is as big as she is. She knows, deep in her heart, that she was born to be a ballerina. There is just one giant problem. Brontorina is a dinosaur, and Madame Lucille's dance studio simply was not built to hold a student of her impressive size. To make matters more complicated, everyone knows you cannot dance without the proper footwear, and finding ballet slippers for a dinosaur is no easy task. Despite the tight squeeze and the lack of shoes, Brontorina refuses to give up on her passion. Her determination and charm quickly prove that talent comes in all sizes. When your heart and imagination are fully engaged, even the biggest obstacles can be overcome. This humorous and touching story shows how holding onto your biggest dreams can end up changing the world around you.

Professor of Magical History Septimius Dropwort is dead, and his lifeless body is gripping a mysterious note. Now, everyone at the prestigious Galileo Academy for the Extraordinary is a suspect. Galileo has recently transformed into a roaming academy that celebrates students of all cultures and identities. While most welcome this inclusive new era, the stodgy and punishing Dropwort definitely did not. His harsh rules made him the least favorite professor on campus, giving almost everyone a motive. Told from more than a dozen alternating perspectives, you will follow Galileo's brightest young magicians as they race to uncover the truth behind the murder. Each student is absolutely certain that they alone possess the unique skills required to unravel the deep secrets hidden within the academy walls. As you piece together the clues left behind, you will discover that even for straight-A students, magic does not always follow the rules. This unique murder mystery unfolds through the distinct voices of eighteen acclaimed authors, bringing a massive cast of magical suspects to life.

An incident at a busy TSA checkpoint sends a ripple of chaos through a crowded Chicago airport, turning an ordinary day of travel into an unforgettable journey. While flights are delayed and rumors swirl, twelve different young people find their paths crossing in unexpected ways. As you wander through the restless terminal alongside these travelers, you will meet kids from all over the country. Each of them has their own unique destination, but they are all navigating similar feelings of standing out and fitting in. Some of the people they encounter are welcoming, while others are quick to judge. Yet, in the midst of the frustration and confusion, these kids discover the true strength that comes from standing up for themselves and for each other. They find that a simple act of kindness, the courage to speak the truth, or even a blue electric guitar can completely change the course of a day. Brought to life by twelve incredible Asian American authors, these interconnected stories weave together a powerful tapestry of what it means to belong. You will explore deep questions about identity and family roots while experiencing the thrills and challenges of navigating a bustling airport. It is a heartfelt reminder that even when you feel lost in a crowd, you are never truly alone on your journey.

People collect all sorts of things, but the characters in these stories gather objects that are truly extraordinary. This fascinating anthology brings together tales from some of the best voices in young adult literature, exploring the bizarre and beautiful things people hold onto. You will encounter a teenager who collects pieces of other people's personal collections, and a girl who desperately tries to gather different types of fire without getting burned. You will even ride along with skaters in the 1970s looking for vertical spaces to claim as their own. Each story reveals a hidden truth about why we cling to the things we do and how our obsessions shape our identities. You will discover that a collection is never just a pile of objects; it is a map of a person's memories, desires, and deepest secrets. Dive into these surprising tales and explore the powerful stories hiding within the things we refuse to let go.

Open the pages of history to discover the remarkable true story of a young girl whose words touched the hearts of millions. During the dark and dangerous days of World War II, thirteen-year-old Anne Frank and her family were forced to hide from the Nazi regime. Moving into a secret, sealed-off annex in Amsterdam, Anne faced a life of fear, quiet, and confinement. But inside that hidden attic, she kept her spirit alive through her beloved diary. You will learn about her daily struggles, her hopes for a better future, and the incredible bravery it took to survive in hiding for two long years. Although her family was eventually betrayed, Anne's powerful diary was saved, preserving her vibrant voice for the world to hear. Her deeply moving story offers a profound look at resilience, courage, and the enduring strength of the human spirit during unimaginable times.