Caitlin Kelly provides a spookily entertaining yet tender rendering of this middle-grade story about courage, friendship, and the power of stories. Every Halloween, Beckett Elementary's sixth-grade students engage in the chillingly serious Bellwoods game. If they win, the town will be safe for a year; if not, a vengeful ghost will torment them all. In a clear, youthful voice, Kelly describes Bailee Heron, who courageously volunteers to play the game despite worries about her family and insecurity about her ability to succeed. Kelly skillfully shows Bailee's character growth as she moves from tentative to confident, making heroic choices for her community, despite the cost to herself. Kelly's portrayal of the genuinely creepy specter in the woods adds to the spine-tingling pleasure of this ghostly coming-of-age story.
(Supernatural. 9-13)Pub Date: July 18, 2023
Duration: 6 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781797162454
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A not-too-scary horror audiobook.
Dan Bittner gives a polished performance of Stine’s middle-grade horror novel, narrating with melodramatic flair and dramatic pauses at the end of each cliffhanger chapter. When the Ferber family moves into a creepy old house on Nightmare Street, Joe’s parents are oblivious to the scary things happening in the house. In a parallel story, the Hannigan family moves into the same house, where Shawn has different creepy experiences. Both Joe and Shawn have nightmares in which they encounter horror tropes—headstones, a creepy rag doll, a looping camera, a ventriloquist’s dummy, and masked teachers—in their house and at school. Bittner’s pacing works well, and fans of the Goosebumps series will enjoy the familiar shivers and tongue-in-cheek humor.
A not-too-scary horror audiobook.Pub Date: April 18, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798228588288
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: April 7, 2026
Amoss’ performance makes this an extraordinary listen.
Sophie Amoss flawlessly narrates this splendid middle-grade audiobook set in New Orleans. Twelve-year-old Basil is shocked when the ghost of her Grandpere—who founded their family’s Cajun restaurant—appears at his own funeral and asks her to visit the bayou where he grew up. When Basil and her energetically rendered friend Tommy discover that the bayou has suffered from damaging erosion, they decide to work to save it. Spirited descriptions of family, friendship, the environment, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of life in a restaurant add atmosphere. A moving, beautiful author’s note includes ways for listeners to help save Louisiana’s coast.
Amoss’ performance makes this an extraordinary listen. (Paranormal. 8-12)Pub Date: March 24, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 41 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063325463
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: April 28, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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