“TJ Crowley" Wins Audie Award!

Celebrated as the "Oscars of Audiobooks," this event, hosted by the Audio Publishers Association (APA), honored the industry’s finest in spoken-word storytelling. Captured on the red carpet, celebrating this incredible win: Claire Overstake, Dion Graham, Grant Overstake, Dani Martineck, Kevin R. Free, May Wuthrich, Graham Halstead, Thérèse Plummer, Tavia Gilbert, Brittany Pressley, and Michael Crouch. Cast members not pictured, Johnny Heller, Shayna Small, Ari Fliakos, Peter Berkrot, John Wright, and Sheila Brown Kinnard.

Best Young Adult Audiobook – 2025 Audie Awards

This immersive audio dramatization earned an Earphones Award from AudioFile Magazine before capturing the much-deserved Audie. Inspired by the author’s own experiences, this speaks to America’s challenging race relations in the late 1960s after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A cast of 15 actors plus a music ensemble lend their immense talents to this fast-paced, suspenseful, important, and revelatory coming-of-age story. — BARNES & NOBLE

We are beyond thrilled to announce that The Real Education of TJ Crowley: Coming of Age on the Redline has won the Audie Award for Best Young Adult Audiobook! Recognized as the highest honor in the audiobook industry, the Audies celebrate excellence in spoken-word storytelling—placing Grant Overstake and May Wuthrich’s full-cast adaptation among the finest productions of the year.

“AND THE WINNER IS in the Young Adult category… [1 min]

About the 30th Annual Audie Awards Ceremony

The 30th Annual Audie Awards, hosted by the Audio Publishers Association (APA), took place on March 4, 2025, in New York City, celebrating the best in spoken-word entertainment. Often called the "Oscars of Audiobooks," the Audies are the most prestigious awards in the industry, recognizing outstanding performances, production quality, and storytelling in audiobooks across multiple categories.

Where to Listen

Don’t miss the Audie Award-winning audiobook that’s making history:

This year's star-studded gala brought together some of the most influential voices in publishing, entertainment, and narration, with major industry figures and celebrities in attendance, including Whoopi Goldberg, Barbra Streisand, and Kate McKinnon. The event highlighted the growing cultural and artistic significance of audiobooks, showcasing how the medium continues to evolve and captivate audiences worldwide.

Winning an Audie Award is a rare and career-defining honor, cementing The Real Education of TJ Crowley as one of the top audiobooks of the year and further establishing its impact in both literary and educational spaces. The recognition from the APA underscores the exceptional storytelling, production, and performances that make this full-cast adaptation a groundbreaking achievement in the Young Adult category, which is awarded for excellence in narration, production, and content of a teen audiobook, ages 13-18.

Where to Listen

Don’t miss the Audie Award-winning audiobook that’s making history:

A Story That Resonates Today

Set in 1968 Wichita, The Real Education of TJ Crowley follows 13-year-old TJ as he comes face-to-face with racism, injustice, and self-discovery during the height of the Civil Rights Movement.

Meet the Audie Award-Winning Cast

We are proud to celebrate the exceptional talent and dedication of the cast and crew who brought The Real Education of TJ Crowley: Coming of Age on the Redline to life. Their outstanding efforts made this prestigious recognition possible.

Narrators:

  • Dani Martineck as TJ Crowley

  • Dion Graham as Dr. Washington, Leon Bowman

  • Tavia Gilbert as Kate Crowley

  • Johnny Heller as Raymond Hatcher (Uncle Ray)

  • Kevin R. Free as Andy (Birmingham) Campfield

  • Shayna Small as Ivy Washington

  • Ari Fliakos as Detective Harris

  • Michael Crouch as Ronnie Crowley

  • Kirby Heyborne as Eric Armstrong

  • Graham Halstead as Mr. Johnson, Coach Gordon

  • Thérèse Plummer as Mrs. Armstrong, Widow Bender

  • Brittany Pressley as Mrs. Peters

  • Peter Berkrot as Vice Principal Scott

  • John Wright as Radio Announcer

  • Sheila Brown Kinnard as Mrs. Lorraine Washington

Production Team:

  • Grant Overstake – Co-Author and Executive Producer

  • May Wuthrich – Co-Author, Director, and Producer

  • Cameron Potts – Producer at John Marshall Media

  • John Marshall Media – Production Company

Music:

  • ARISE Ensemble – Featured Music

Distribution:

  • Blackstone Publishing

Where to Listen

Don’t miss the Audie Award-winning audiobook that’s making history download now:

Ask Your Local Library!

TJ Crowley is available in more places than ever, and you have choices on how to listen. You can download your own copy today or check it out from your local library. If your library doesn’t have TJ Crowley yet, librarians are amazing about adding award-winning audiobooks when you request them!

And if you prefer to support independent bookstores, you can find TJ Crowley on Libro.fm, the audiobook service that shares profits with local, independent bookstores instead of big corporations. Whichever way you choose, we hope you’ll start listening today and experience this Audie Award finalist for yourself!