They Built Me for Freedom
The Story of Juneteenth and Houston's Emancipation Park
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
Prime members: New to Audible?Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
They Built Me for Freedom
Buy for $2.72
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Aaron Goodson
About this listen
A moving book about the history of Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas—and the origins of Juneteenth.
When people visit me, they are free—to run, play, gather, and rejoice.
They built me to remember.
On June 19, 1865, the 250,000 enslaved people of Texas learned they were free, ending slavery in the United States. This day was soon to be memorialized with the dedication of a park in Houston. The park was called Emancipation Park, and the day it honored would come to be known as Juneteenth.
In the voice and memory of the park itself—its fields and pools, its protests and cookouts, and, most of all, its people—the 150-year story of Emancipation Park is brought to life. Through lyrical text, Tonya Duncan Ellis and Jenin Mohammed have crafted an ode to the struggle, triumph, courage, and joy of Black America—and the promise of a people to remember.
©2024 Tonya Duncan Ellis (P)2024 HarperCollins PublishersRelated to this topic
-
The Christmas Pig
- By: J.K. Rowling
- Narrated by: Amaka Okafor, Rocco Padden, Gerran Howell, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,498
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 3,067
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3,054
Jack loves his childhood toy Dur Pig. DP has always been there for him, through good and bad. Until one Christmas Eve something terrible happens - DP is lost. But Christmas Eve is a night for miracles and lost causes, a night when all things can come to life...even toys. And Jack’s newest toy - the Christmas Pig (DP’s annoying replacement) - has a daring plan: Together they’ll embark on a magical journey to seek something lost and to save the best friend Jack has ever known....
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
More Scary & Violent Than "Heartwarming Adventure"
- By Bookworm on 10-19-21
By: J.K. Rowling
-
The Ickabog
- By: J.K. Rowling
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 5,298
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 4,716
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 4,705
The kingdom of Cornucopia was once the happiest in the world. It had plenty of gold, a king with the finest moustache you could possibly imagine, and butchers, bakers, and cheesemongers whose exquisite foods made a person dance with delight when they ate them. Everything was perfect - except for the misty Marshlands to the north, which, according to legend, were home to the monstrous Ickabog. Anyone sensible knew that the Ickabog was just a myth to scare children into behaving. But the funny thing about myths is that sometimes they take on a life of their own.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Oh, dear...
- By ili pika on 11-11-20
By: J.K. Rowling
-
Disney Frozen: Olaf's Quest
- By: Disney Press, Suzanne Francis
- Narrated by: Jake Green, Matt Lowe, Abby Trott, and others
- Length: 2 hrs and 22 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 226
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 215
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 215
Olaf, Arendelle’s adorable snowman, loves to read. One day, an unexpected message leads Olaf and his friends Anna, Kristoff, and Sven on a quest for a place known as Haus Biblio, described as a “sea of stories”. This Audible Original spans the group’s journey to Haus Biblio as they cross over mountains, search for monsters under bridges, and have conversations with friendly sheep. During his travels, Olaf makes new friends and hears lots of exciting stories along the way.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Stories of all sorts within a story!
- By Just Duckie on 09-21-24
By: Disney Press, and others
-
The Secret Garden
- By: Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Narrated by: Carrie Hope Fletcher
- Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 7,903
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 7,130
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 7,094
Mary Lennox starts her life as an unhappy victim of circumstance. After the loss of her parents, she moves to rural Yorkshire to live with a distant uncle where she resents the wildness of the countryside. At first, she struggles to find a place in this new existence. Although unsure about her surroundings and its occupants, through the gentle guidance of the maid she gradually becomes interested in the story of Mrs Craven, who apparently used to spend her time in a garden at the house, the key to which has vanished.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Fabulous
- By Lady Lightning on 05-19-20
-
Disney Princess: Belle and the Rose Riddle
- By: Disney Press, Juliana Schiavo
- Narrated by: Jeff Bennett, Piotr Michael, Julie Nathanson, and others
- Length: 2 hrs and 36 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 44
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 37
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 37
Belle lives in a beautiful castle with a Beast and Enchanted Objects that have come to life. But that isn’t the strangest thing about the castle. Rose petals and leaves have begun to mysteriously appear in random places, leading Belle and her companions Cogsworth the clock and Lumiere the candelabra on a hunt for an intruder.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great mystery!
- By Angela on 10-17-24
By: Disney Press, and others
-
Disney Pixar Cars: The Legend of the Crystal Hubcap
- By: Disney Press, Steve Behling
- Narrated by: Larry the Cable Guy, Keith Ferguson, full cast
- Length: 1 hr and 3 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 102
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 97
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 97
Kachow! Best friends Lightning McQueen and Mater are on the road to attend Mater’s sister’s wedding allll the way across the country when they accidentally find themselves at the legendary Cave of the Crystal Hubcap. See, legend has it, whoever gazes into this hubcap becomes the luckiest racer in the world! Mater thinks the hubcap would make the perfect wedding gift and heads into the cave in search of it. Since friends don’t let friends go into caves alone, Lightning joins him. While inside, they meet a new friend and help her out of a jam.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The CARS gang enjoy an adventure.
- By Marian K. Anderson-Danner on 09-23-24
By: Disney Press, and others
-
The Christmas Pig
- By: J.K. Rowling
- Narrated by: Amaka Okafor, Rocco Padden, Gerran Howell, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,498
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 3,067
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3,054
Jack loves his childhood toy Dur Pig. DP has always been there for him, through good and bad. Until one Christmas Eve something terrible happens - DP is lost. But Christmas Eve is a night for miracles and lost causes, a night when all things can come to life...even toys. And Jack’s newest toy - the Christmas Pig (DP’s annoying replacement) - has a daring plan: Together they’ll embark on a magical journey to seek something lost and to save the best friend Jack has ever known....
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
More Scary & Violent Than "Heartwarming Adventure"
- By Bookworm on 10-19-21
By: J.K. Rowling
-
The Ickabog
- By: J.K. Rowling
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 5,298
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 4,716
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 4,705
The kingdom of Cornucopia was once the happiest in the world. It had plenty of gold, a king with the finest moustache you could possibly imagine, and butchers, bakers, and cheesemongers whose exquisite foods made a person dance with delight when they ate them. Everything was perfect - except for the misty Marshlands to the north, which, according to legend, were home to the monstrous Ickabog. Anyone sensible knew that the Ickabog was just a myth to scare children into behaving. But the funny thing about myths is that sometimes they take on a life of their own.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Oh, dear...
- By ili pika on 11-11-20
By: J.K. Rowling
-
Disney Frozen: Olaf's Quest
- By: Disney Press, Suzanne Francis
- Narrated by: Jake Green, Matt Lowe, Abby Trott, and others
- Length: 2 hrs and 22 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 226
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 215
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 215
Olaf, Arendelle’s adorable snowman, loves to read. One day, an unexpected message leads Olaf and his friends Anna, Kristoff, and Sven on a quest for a place known as Haus Biblio, described as a “sea of stories”. This Audible Original spans the group’s journey to Haus Biblio as they cross over mountains, search for monsters under bridges, and have conversations with friendly sheep. During his travels, Olaf makes new friends and hears lots of exciting stories along the way.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Stories of all sorts within a story!
- By Just Duckie on 09-21-24
By: Disney Press, and others
-
The Secret Garden
- By: Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Narrated by: Carrie Hope Fletcher
- Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 7,903
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 7,130
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 7,094
Mary Lennox starts her life as an unhappy victim of circumstance. After the loss of her parents, she moves to rural Yorkshire to live with a distant uncle where she resents the wildness of the countryside. At first, she struggles to find a place in this new existence. Although unsure about her surroundings and its occupants, through the gentle guidance of the maid she gradually becomes interested in the story of Mrs Craven, who apparently used to spend her time in a garden at the house, the key to which has vanished.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Fabulous
- By Lady Lightning on 05-19-20
-
Disney Princess: Belle and the Rose Riddle
- By: Disney Press, Juliana Schiavo
- Narrated by: Jeff Bennett, Piotr Michael, Julie Nathanson, and others
- Length: 2 hrs and 36 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 44
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 37
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 37
Belle lives in a beautiful castle with a Beast and Enchanted Objects that have come to life. But that isn’t the strangest thing about the castle. Rose petals and leaves have begun to mysteriously appear in random places, leading Belle and her companions Cogsworth the clock and Lumiere the candelabra on a hunt for an intruder.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great mystery!
- By Angela on 10-17-24
By: Disney Press, and others
-
Disney Pixar Cars: The Legend of the Crystal Hubcap
- By: Disney Press, Steve Behling
- Narrated by: Larry the Cable Guy, Keith Ferguson, full cast
- Length: 1 hr and 3 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 102
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 97
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 97
Kachow! Best friends Lightning McQueen and Mater are on the road to attend Mater’s sister’s wedding allll the way across the country when they accidentally find themselves at the legendary Cave of the Crystal Hubcap. See, legend has it, whoever gazes into this hubcap becomes the luckiest racer in the world! Mater thinks the hubcap would make the perfect wedding gift and heads into the cave in search of it. Since friends don’t let friends go into caves alone, Lightning joins him. While inside, they meet a new friend and help her out of a jam.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
The CARS gang enjoy an adventure.
- By Marian K. Anderson-Danner on 09-23-24
By: Disney Press, and others
What listeners say about They Built Me for Freedom
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rc
- 06-03-24
Delightful and engaging
This delightful children’s book about Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas, and the Juneteenth holiday beautifully captures the essence of a significant historical event in a way that is both engaging and accessible for young readers. The story is enriched with vibrant illustrations and a clear, easy-to-follow narrative that brings the history of Emancipation Park to life.
The author skillfully introduces the young audience to the origins of the park, highlighting the efforts of former slaves who purchased the land to celebrate their newfound freedom. This inspiring tale of resilience and community is presented in a way that is both educational and heartwarming, making it an excellent resource for teaching children about this important part of American history.
Overall, this book is a wonderful addition to any child’s library, providing a perfect blend of historical education and engaging storytelling. It encourages young readers to appreciate the importance of freedom, community, and remembering our history. This is a highly recommended read for both children and parents looking to explore the rich heritage of Juneteenth and Emancipation Park.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!