The Real Education Project
Listening-centered education built on an award-winning story
The Real Education Project is a nonprofit initiative of Grain Valley Publishing, fiscally sponsored by NonProfitGO, a 501(c)(3). It brings The Real Education of TJ Crowley: Coming of Age on the Redline into classrooms, libraries and community spaces through guided listening and discussion.
National Recognition. Local Roots.
Born in northeast Wichita, The Real Education of TJ Crowley has traveled from neighborhood memory to national distinction.
Honors include:
• 2025 Audie Award for Best Young Adult Audiobook (Audio Publishers Association)
• AudioFile Earphones Award
• IPPY Gold Medal
The Scriptbook Is Here
The Real Education of TJ Crowley Scriptbook Edition is now available. It contains the complete script as performed, adapted from the novel by Grant Overstake and May Wuthrich, with bonus materials for classrooms, discussion groups and individual readers.
Direct publisher price $19.99. Bulk and educational orders available.
Education Through Listening
Developed in Wichita and recognized at the highest levels of American publishing and audio production, The Real Education of TJ Crowley won the 2025 Audie Award in the Young Adult category, which honors narration, production and content for listeners ages 13 to 18. Today it anchors a shared listening model used in Wichita State University instruction and in grades 7–12 classrooms across Kansas. Students hear the story together, then talk it through with guided discussion. Listening side by side builds empathy and turns local history into personal reflection.
The Real Education Project carries that model into middle and high school classrooms, university coursework, library and community programs, and public listening events. In 2026, grant funding from Wichita Arts & Cultural Services supports a community listening series that gives neighbors structured space to listen and talk with one another.
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 premiere listening event was held at Holy Savior Academy, in the neighborhood where the story is set. The series launched at Watermark Books & Café, with more 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.
All gifts are tax-deductible and processed through NonProfitGO, our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.
Other Ways to Give
Online: Donate securely by PayPal or credit card.
Bank transfer: Contact us to request routing and account information.
By check: Make payable to NonProfitGO, memo "The Real Education Project." Mail to NonProfitGO, 303 S. Broadway, Suite 121, Wichita, KS 67202.
Your generosity helps bring this story into the classrooms and communities that need it most.
