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Writer A. Van Jordan's latest poems imagine the life of MacNolia Cox, the first black finalist in the National Spelling Bee. In his book M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A, Jordan uses a variety of forms and voices to depict Cox's life in 1936. Hear NPR's Susan Stamberg and Jordan.

Gorka passes along musical traditions while also showcasing his own modern voice. In his songs, he tells real stories about real people — you, me, your family and friends. Gorka pays tribute to Pete Seeger's 90th birthday with "Water Is Wide" in a session from Folk Alley.

Known only by his first name, Honduran singer Aurelio has been making music for a decade. Yet, Aurelio is not only known for his raspy voice and catchy cumbia melodies, but for his tireless work promoting the rights of his own people — the Garifuna. Now, the former parliament member is out with his latest album Landini.

Listening to Davis' propulsive funk, it's apparent that her image was just as important to her albums as a guitar or a keyboard or her voice. In 1975, she seemed to represent her era, but she probably pushed boundaries too far for mainstream music. Here, Meredith Ochs reviews a recent reissue of Davis' groundbreaking album Nasty Gal.

The group gets pared down to a trio for this casual acoustic session from KEXP. Craig Finn stood at the mic as Tad Kubler and Franz Nicolay handled an acoustic guitar, banjo and accordion. The set-up lets Finn's voice resonate, which means his great lyrics stand out even more than usual.

For at least 40 years, shortwave listeners have been stumbling across the eerie sound of unidentified stations transmitting only voices chanting numbers. Speculation on their purpose has ranged from UFO landing coordinates to international espionage. We explore the mystery of the shortwave numbers stations through the recordings compiled by hardcore numbers monitors.

Montreal-based singer-songwriter Patrick Watson has a stunning, romantic voice that soars above precise piano work and clattering percussion played on marimbas and household pots turned upside-down. Watson and his brilliant band recently performed songs from their new album Wooden Arms at the studios of WNYC in New York.

Seahorse and the Storyteller is a true concept album, which tells the story of "two mythical creatures who meet, fall in love and begin piecing together the mysteries of each other's past." One of its key songs is "The Story of Echo Lake," sung in the voice of the Seahorse character as he embarks on a search of his family's origins.

Four years after the No Child Left Behind Act became law, test results show progress in some areas. But many schools are not reducing the achievement gap between white and minority students, and closing that gap may take longer than the law's requirements.

Rock stars have been known to try crazy things with a guitar. Kaki King doesn't light hers on fire, but she does pick the string of the guitar with both hands, while slapping the body in time. On her new CD, Dreaming of Revenge, she displays a new melodic sensibility with her own voice.

As Case tours the country, driving her own van and showcasing that powerhouse voice, she appears strong and fearless. But on her new album, Middle Cyclone, her heart is cracked open. Her songs tremble with the stunning reality that love is the one thing we need the most, and the one thing that we can never control.

Singer/songwriter Stew seamlessly blends gospel and funk with sophisticated lyrics, sweet melodies, and an even sweeter voice. His eighth album, titled Something Deeper Than These Changes, takes the listener on intimate journeys into Stew's past, and offers vivid portraits of the people he is closest to in the present. NPR's Neda Ulaby profiles the musician.

Rachael Yamagata's deep and sultry voice tells stories of lost love and pain. Her songs have been heard on countless films and TV shows, like 'Grey's Anatomy' and '30 Rock.' Now Yamagata is out with her latest album, 'Chesapeake.' Host Michel Martin speaks with the singer-songwriter about her approach to music.

After an editor asked him to tone down his racial politics, the first-time author walked away from his book deal, moved to a smaller press and eventually published two books to critical acclaim. He hopes his story helps make the case for why publishers should welcome different voices to the table.

Human-rights groups are concerned the Iraqi constitution will place restrictions on women's freedom in areas such as property rights and divorce. Host Jacki Lyden talks about the future role of women in Iraq with Bushra al Samarai, who helped establish a radio station for Iraqi women.

Pick a Bigger Weapon is the new CD from the San Francisco Bay Area progressive rap group The Coup. Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone magazine offers a review of the album, which mixes nostalgic beats and rhythms from the 1970s with contemporary political messages.

Congestion delayed travelers 79 million more hours and wasted 69 million more gallons of fuel in 2003 than in 2002, according to the latest study from the Texas Transportation Institute. The report concludes that urban areas need more road capacity and better management.

Commentator Corinne Demas says coyotes have made a comeback in her area and one visits her. They were welcomed when they were rare, but now their presence brings fear that they will kill pets. She hopes we can learn to live with them as they have with us.

Like many states, California is turning up the heat on its public schools with tough new policies designed to force them to improve. In the first of a series of stories, Richard Gonzales looks at one San Francisco Bay-area school's struggle to turn itself around.

NPR's Julie McCarthy reports that increasing energy demands by the expanding economies in Northeast Asia pose a threat to regional peace and stability. Several countries in the region already have come to blows over conflicting claims to offshore areas believed to be possible sources of oil or gas.