“TJ Crowley" Wins Audie Award

Celebrated as the "Oscars of Audiobooks," the ceremony is hosted by the Audio Publishers Association. On the red carpet: 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

The Real Education of TJ Crowley: Coming of Age on the Redline, by Grant Overstake and May Wuthrich, who co-authored, produced, and directed the full-cast audio drama, has won the 2025 Audie Award for Best Young Adult Audiobook.

The Audie is the audiobook industry's top honor, given by the Audio Publishers Association. The Young Adult category is judged on narration, production, and content for teen listeners ages 13 to 18.

"This immersive audio drama earned an Earphones Award from AudioFile Magazine before capturing the much-deserved Audie. …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

About the 30th Annual Audie Awards Ceremony

The 30th Annual Audie Awards took place March 4, 2025, in New York City, hosted by the Audio Publishers Association. Often called the "Oscars of Audiobooks," the Audies recognize the year's best work in spoken-word performance and production.

TJ Crowley earned an Earphones Award from AudioFile Magazine before winning the Audie. Fifteen actors and a music ensemble carry the production, which now reaches listeners in classrooms, libraries, and homes.

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 Civil Rights Movement.

Where to Listen

The Audie Award-winning audiobook is available now:

Meet the Audie Award-Winning Cast

The cast and crew who brought The Real Education of TJ Crowley: Coming of Age on the Redline to life. Their work made this 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

  • Wichita State University’s School of Digital Design (Shocker Studios) — Production Support

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 the choice of how to listen is yours. Download a copy today, or ask your local library to add it. Librarians are quick to bring in award-winning audiobooks when listeners request them.

To support independent bookstores, find TJ Crowley on Libro.fm, the audiobook service that shares profits with local shops instead of large corporations.

However you choose to listen, start today and hear the Audie Award winner for yourself.