The Real Education of TJ Crowley:
Coming of Age on the Redline
Kansas Book of the Year | 2025 Audie Award Winner
National Recognition. Local Roots.
Born in northeast Wichita, The Real Education of TJ Crowley has traveled from neighborhood memory to national distinction.
Honors include:
• Kansas Book of the Year
• 2025 Audie Award (Audio Publishers Association)
• AudioFile Earphones Award
• IPPY Gold Medal
A Wichita-developed work recognized at the highest levels of American publishing and audio production.
The Real Education Project
The Real Education Project is an initiative of Grain Valley Publishing that brings award-winning narrative storytelling into classrooms and community spaces.
Through guided listening and discussion, the project supports:
• Middle and high school classrooms
• University coursework
• Library and community programming
• Public listening events
Currently used in Wichita State University instruction and grades 7–12 classrooms across Kansas.
Listening. Learning. Local Engagement.
Supported in part by 2026 grant funding from Wichita Arts & Cultural Services, The Real Education Project’s community listening series creates structured space for shared listening and thoughtful dialogue.
Grant Overstake, author and executive producer of The Real Education of TJ Crowley, speaks with attendees at the premiere listening event held at Holy Savior Academy in the neighborhood where the story is set. (Courtesy photo)
The series recently launched at Watermark Books & Café, with additional events scheduled throughout the year.
These gatherings bring educators, students and community members together around local history and guided conversation.
Support Listening-Centered Education
Your support expands access to award-winning narrative learning tools in schools and communities.
Contributions help:
• Provide classroom access to the audio production
• Develop educator materials
• Host community listening events
• Strengthen university partnerships
• Sustain independent publishing
Every contribution helps extend thoughtful public dialogue.
For Educators (Grades 7–12)
Designed for Kansas social studies and ELA classrooms, The Real Education of TJ Crowley supports guided listening and structured discussion.
Available resources include:
• Full-cast audio drama (2025 Audie Award Winner)
• Scriptbook
• Classroom discussion materials