
Short Story Press Presents Benji's Book
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $7.79
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Laura Johnson
About this listen
Benji's Books is the tale of a young man who hates school and reading. He seeks refuge in a library to get out of a terrible storm. There he encounters a woman who would change his way of thinking and his life forever.
Elsa, the librarian, asks Benji to lend her a hand in putting books away. They immediately establish a strong connection and forge a lasting friendship. She encourages him to read from the subjects and topics he enjoys. She prompts him to follow his desires. Benji soon learns there is a vast world in front of him to make of, what he wishes. He gains confidence to make decisions for himself concerning his education and future.
Benji and Elsa discuss the adventures they find in books; they spend long hours debating current events. Elsa helps Benji improve his grades as he progresses through high school. He takes an apprenticeship position at the library in his last two years of high school.
Together they study for college aptitude testing. When the time finally comes, Elsa helps Benji work through the college and scholarship application processes. Their friendship helps to keep Benji focused on academics and looking to the future. He continues his education, graduating from college, but working every summer in the library with his friend Elsa.
©2018 Short Story Press (P)2018 Short Story PressListeners also enjoyed...
-
The Third Door
- The Mindset of Success
- By: Alex Banayan
- Narrated by: Alex Banayan
- Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Third Door takes listeners on an unprecedented adventure—from hacking Warren Buffett’s shareholders meeting to chasing Larry King through a grocery store to celebrating in a nightclub with Lady Gaga—as Alex Banayan travels from icon to icon, decoding their success. After remarkable one-on-one interviews with Bill Gates, Maya Angelou, Steve Wozniak, Jane Goodall, Larry King, Jessica Alba, Pitbull, Tim Ferriss, Quincy Jones, and many more, Alex discovered the one key they have in common: they all took the Third Door.
-
-
This story saved my future...
- By Laurimar Melendez on 07-08-18
By: Alex Banayan
-
The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry
- By: Gabrielle Zevin
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The irascible A. J. Fikry, owner of Island Books - the only bookstore on Alice Island - has already lost his wife. Now his most prized possession, a rare book, has been stolen from right under his nose in the most embarrassing of circumstances. The store itself, it seems, will be next to go. One night upon closing, he discovers a toddler in his children’s section with a note from her mother pinned to her Elmo doll: I want Maya to grow up in a place with books and among people who care about such kinds of things. I love her very much, but I can no longer take care of her.
-
-
The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry
- By teatime on 05-07-14
By: Gabrielle Zevin
-
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
- By: E. L. Konigsburg
- Narrated by: Jill Clayburgh
- Length: 3 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When suburban Claudia Kincaid decides to run away, she knows she doesn't just want to run from somewhere she wants to run to somewhere--to a place that is comfortable, beautiful, and preferably elegant. She chooses the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Knowing that her younger brother, Jamie, has money and thus can help her with the serious cash flow problem she invites him along.
-
-
How to be different on the inside, where it counts
- By Bonny on 04-28-13
By: E. L. Konigsburg
-
RJ - Boy Detective #1
- The Mysterious Crate
- By: PJ Ryan
- Narrated by: Gwendolyn Druyor
- Length: 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
RJ Spencer is a lucky 12 year old. He lives in the big city and his parents are landlords of the high-rise apartment building that is his home. The many tenants in the building, along with the endless possibilities of adventures in the city itself, are the perfect setting for the young detective as he sets out to solve every case he can get his hands on.
-
-
Great, fun read for the family!
- By Christina on 10-24-20
By: PJ Ryan
-
The Toaster Oven Mocks Me: Living with Synesthesia.
- By: Steve Margolis
- Narrated by: Adam Verner
- Length: 2 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Does your toaster oven make you feel shamefully inadequate with his lofty ideals and Jeffersonian views of the world? Is the letter Q the wrong shade of yellow? Are you frequently bothered by abstract images and geometric shapes falling from the sky? If so, this book can help. The Toaster Oven Mocks Me is a humorous memoir that chronicles Steve's discovery, concealment, and eventual acceptance of synesthesia.
-
-
Loved it
- By Brianne Chiappetta on 05-09-19
By: Steve Margolis
-
Punished
- By: David Lubar
- Narrated by: Noah Galvin
- Length: 1 hr and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Logan and his friend Benedict run into the wrong guy at the library - literally. When Logan slams into the reference guy in the basement and gives him a little lip, Logan gets punished, really and truly punished. He has three days to complete three tasks before Professor Wordsworth will lift the magical punishment that keeps getting Logan in even more trouble.
-
-
It is very punny, but not very funny
- By Susan on 02-05-12
By: David Lubar
-
The Third Door
- The Mindset of Success
- By: Alex Banayan
- Narrated by: Alex Banayan
- Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Third Door takes listeners on an unprecedented adventure—from hacking Warren Buffett’s shareholders meeting to chasing Larry King through a grocery store to celebrating in a nightclub with Lady Gaga—as Alex Banayan travels from icon to icon, decoding their success. After remarkable one-on-one interviews with Bill Gates, Maya Angelou, Steve Wozniak, Jane Goodall, Larry King, Jessica Alba, Pitbull, Tim Ferriss, Quincy Jones, and many more, Alex discovered the one key they have in common: they all took the Third Door.
-
-
This story saved my future...
- By Laurimar Melendez on 07-08-18
By: Alex Banayan
-
The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry
- By: Gabrielle Zevin
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The irascible A. J. Fikry, owner of Island Books - the only bookstore on Alice Island - has already lost his wife. Now his most prized possession, a rare book, has been stolen from right under his nose in the most embarrassing of circumstances. The store itself, it seems, will be next to go. One night upon closing, he discovers a toddler in his children’s section with a note from her mother pinned to her Elmo doll: I want Maya to grow up in a place with books and among people who care about such kinds of things. I love her very much, but I can no longer take care of her.
-
-
The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry
- By teatime on 05-07-14
By: Gabrielle Zevin
-
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
- By: E. L. Konigsburg
- Narrated by: Jill Clayburgh
- Length: 3 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When suburban Claudia Kincaid decides to run away, she knows she doesn't just want to run from somewhere she wants to run to somewhere--to a place that is comfortable, beautiful, and preferably elegant. She chooses the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Knowing that her younger brother, Jamie, has money and thus can help her with the serious cash flow problem she invites him along.
-
-
How to be different on the inside, where it counts
- By Bonny on 04-28-13
By: E. L. Konigsburg
-
RJ - Boy Detective #1
- The Mysterious Crate
- By: PJ Ryan
- Narrated by: Gwendolyn Druyor
- Length: 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
RJ Spencer is a lucky 12 year old. He lives in the big city and his parents are landlords of the high-rise apartment building that is his home. The many tenants in the building, along with the endless possibilities of adventures in the city itself, are the perfect setting for the young detective as he sets out to solve every case he can get his hands on.
-
-
Great, fun read for the family!
- By Christina on 10-24-20
By: PJ Ryan
-
The Toaster Oven Mocks Me: Living with Synesthesia.
- By: Steve Margolis
- Narrated by: Adam Verner
- Length: 2 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Does your toaster oven make you feel shamefully inadequate with his lofty ideals and Jeffersonian views of the world? Is the letter Q the wrong shade of yellow? Are you frequently bothered by abstract images and geometric shapes falling from the sky? If so, this book can help. The Toaster Oven Mocks Me is a humorous memoir that chronicles Steve's discovery, concealment, and eventual acceptance of synesthesia.
-
-
Loved it
- By Brianne Chiappetta on 05-09-19
By: Steve Margolis
-
Punished
- By: David Lubar
- Narrated by: Noah Galvin
- Length: 1 hr and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Logan and his friend Benedict run into the wrong guy at the library - literally. When Logan slams into the reference guy in the basement and gives him a little lip, Logan gets punished, really and truly punished. He has three days to complete three tasks before Professor Wordsworth will lift the magical punishment that keeps getting Logan in even more trouble.
-
-
It is very punny, but not very funny
- By Susan on 02-05-12
By: David Lubar
-
School of the Dead
- By: Avi
- Narrated by: Michael Crouch
- Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For most of Tony Gilbert's life, he has thought of his uncle as "Weird Uncle Charlie". That is, until Uncle Charlie moves in with Tony and his family. Uncle Charlie is still odd, of course - talking about spirits and other supernatural stuff - but he and Tony become fast friends, and Tony ends up having a lot of fun with Uncle Charlie. When Uncle Charlie dies suddenly, Tony is devastated. Then he starts seeing Uncle Charlie everywhere!
-
-
Lots of twists.. hangin on til the last
- By mary on 05-13-24
By: Avi
-
Frindle
- By: Andrew Clements
- Narrated by: Keith Nobbs
- Length: 1 hr and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
He really just likes to liven things up at school -- and he's always had plenty of great ideas. When Nick learns some interesting information about how words are created, suddenly he's got the inspiration for his best plan ever: the frindle. Who says a pen has to be called a pen? Why not call it a frindle? Things begin innocently enough as Nick gets his friends to use the new word. Then other people in town start saying frindle. Soon the school is in an uproar, and Nick has become a local hero.
-
-
Melts my Heart
- By KiAnna Bobbins on 04-19-15
By: Andrew Clements
-
The Wild Truth
- By: Carine McCandless
- Narrated by: Carine McCandless, Matt Gardner, Shelly McCandless
- Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In April 1992, a young man named Chris McCandless walked into the Alaskan wilderness, where he survived for more than 100 days before perishing in an abandoned bus. For over twenty years his story has captivated millions, and yet only one person knew the truth behind his remarkable journey - until now.
-
-
Not at all like Into the Wild!
- By Sandra Westphal on 10-30-16
-
I Will Always Write Back
- How One Letter Changed Two Lives
- By: Martin Ganda, Caitlin Alifirenka, Liz Welch
- Narrated by: Chukwudi Iwuji, Emily Bauer
- Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The New York Times best-selling true story of an all-American girl and a boy from Zimbabwe and the letter that changed both of their lives forever. It started as an assignment. Everyone in Caitlin's class wrote to an unknown student somewhere in a distant place. Martin was lucky to even receive a pen-pal letter. There were only 10 letters, and 50 kids in his class. But he was the top student, so he got the first one. That letter was the beginning of a correspondence that spanned six years and changed two lives.
-
-
Got a pen pal?
- By THoward on 03-19-17
By: Martin Ganda, and others
-
Piecing Me Together
- By: Renee Watson
- Narrated by: Renee Watson
- Length: 5 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jade believes she must get out of her neighborhood if she's ever going to succeed. Her mother says she has to take every opportunity. She has. She accepted a scholarship to a mostly-white private school and even Saturday morning test prep opportunities. But some opportunities feel more demeaning than helpful. Like an invitation to join Women to Women, a mentorship program for "at-risk" girls. Except really, it's for black girls. From "bad" neighborhoods. But maybe there are some things Jade could show these successful women about the real world and finding ways to make a real difference.
-
-
Should be Required Reading
- By Rashelle on 06-07-18
By: Renee Watson
-
Book Scavenger
- By: Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
- Narrated by: Jessica Almasy
- Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For 12-year-old Emily, the best thing about moving to San Francisco is that it's the home city of her literary idol: Garrison Griswold, book publisher and creator of the online sensation Book Scavenger (a game where books are hidden in cities all over the country and clues to find them are revealed through puzzles). Upon her arrival, however, Emily learns that Griswold has been attacked and is now in a coma, and no one knows anything about the epic new game he had been poised to launch.
-
-
Bibliophile? - Check this out!
- By ASW on 03-05-16
-
Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul 2: Character-Building Stories for Kids Ages 6-10
- By: Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen
- Narrated by: Megan Hayes
- Length: 3 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This book, designed for kids ages 6-10, features true, character-building stories for kids to enjoy alone or with their parents. Being a kid can be trying and confusing - a newfound exposure to the real world, confusion as to what's right and wrong, learning about friendships and making important choices for the first time. Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul 2 is a special book designed just for kids on the verge of becoming preteens.
-
-
Six Stars if I Could Have Rated it this High
- By Clharmony on 07-31-15
By: Jack Canfield, and others
-
The End of Molasses Classes
- Getting Our Kids Unstuck - 101 Extraordinary Solutions for Parents and Teachers
- By: Ron Clark
- Narrated by: Ron Clark
- Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A new book from the award-winning teacher and best-selling author, Ron Clark, providing rules for parents and teachers to help kids succeed in school.
-
-
Entertaining & Motivating for Teacher and Sister
- By Gladys on 02-20-12
By: Ron Clark
-
The Essential 55
- An Award-Winning Educator's Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child
- By: Ron Clark
- Narrated by: Ron Clark
- Length: 2 hrs and 24 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If there were a code you could learn that would lead you to become a great teacher wouldn't you want to learn it? The Essential 55 is a collection of the amazingly effective rules that Ron Clark used to become an extraordinary teacher. Through trial and error, this teacher has distilled 55 ideas that have helped him take apathetic students in some of the country's most challenging areas and transform them into award-winning scholars.
-
-
The Essential 55
- By Ray on 02-16-04
By: Ron Clark
-
Answers in the Pages
- By: David Levithan
- Narrated by: Christopher Gebauer, Vikas Adam, Oliver Wyman
- Length: 4 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Donovan left his copy of The Adventurers on the kitchen counter, he didn't think his mom would read it—much less have a problem with it. It's just an adventure novel about two characters trying to stop an evil genius...right? But soon the entire town is freaking out about whether the book's main characters are gay, Donovan's mom is trying to get the book removed from the school curriculum, and Donovan is caught in the middle. Donovan doesn't really know if the two boys fall in love at the end or not—but he does know this: even if they do, it shouldn't matter.
-
-
amazingly well put together
- By Amazon Customer on 05-10-23
By: David Levithan
-
I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had
- My Year as a Rookie Teacher at Northeast High
- By: Tony Danza
- Narrated by: Tony Danza
- Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Long before he starred on some of television’s most beloved and long-running series such as Taxi and Who’s the Boss? and went on to distinguish himself in a variety of film and stage roles, Tony Danza was a walking contradiction: an indifferent student who dreamed of being a teacher. Inspiring a classroom of students was an aspiration he put aside for decades until one day it seemed that the most meaningful thing he could do was give his dream a shot. What followed was a year spent teaching 10th-grade English at Northeast High - Philadelphia’s largest high school with 3,600 students....
-
-
I may be a little biased, but ....
- By Sibine on 04-13-13
By: Tony Danza
-
Lunch Money
- By: Andrew Clements
- Narrated by: John Mayer
- Length: 5 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Greg had started looking around the cafeteria, and everywhere he looked, he saw quarters. He saw kids trading quarters for ice-cream sandwiches and cupcakes and cookies at the dessert table. There were quarters all over the place, buckets of them. At that moment, Greg’s view of school changed completely and forever. School had suddenly become the most interesting place on the planet. Because young Greg Kenton had decided that school would be an excellent place to make his fortune.
-
-
Great Kid Book
- By tracy on 03-11-07
By: Andrew Clements