Wes and DeLanna Studi narrate this collection of modern and traditional stories from a variety of American Indian tribes. Only mildly frightening, most of these stories are intended to teach traditions of caution, bravery, obedience, loyalty, compassion, and more. DeLanna Studi reads with a tone of nervous apprehension intended to instill fear and anxiety. Wes Studi has greater success using a slow pace and solemn tones to create the otherworldliness that often characterizes these tales. Five chapters include ghosts, spirits, witches, monsters, and the supernatural. The stories within each chapter begin with the name and tribe of the storyteller. Individual stories are contextualized with each tribe's particular cultural beliefs.
(Traditional literature. 8-11)Pub Date: Sept. 7, 2021
Duration: 4 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781338780444
Publisher: Scholastic Audiobooks
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Solid middle-grade horror.
Kaipo Schwab performs this fourth outing in the Tales From Cabin 23 series. In this entry, a Lipan Apache middle schooler finds himself trapped in a house that’s slowly falling into the ocean off coastal Massachusetts. Sean’s been uprooted from his Texas home to live temporarily with his cousin, Zeke, and Schwab convincingly captures his hesitancy and earnestness. Little Badger’s story is propulsive, and Schwab matches its pacing easily. His characterizations also include brash and confident Zeke as well as lonely schoolmate Jenny and “Many Names,” a monster who’s as displaced as Sean—and very hungry. Each character comes alive for listeners as Sean desperately works to rescue himself, his cousin, and their new friend from both Many Names and the Atlantic.
Solid middle-grade horror. (Horror. 8-12)Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 20 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063298286
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 24, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2026
Knowelden's proper English accent has a hint of a wink and a smile throughout.
Elizabeth Knowelden narrates another of Millie Fleur’s enchanted gardening adventures. This time, Millie plants a pumpkin patch with magic soil to brighten Garden Glen for the fall. As she works, her cheerful chatter can be heard in the background. When Millie’s garden shed escapes the yard, it dances through town to a quaint country music tune, accidentally spilling seeds and soil wherever it goes. Listeners will enjoy nature sound effects, orchestral music, and the grumblings of the locals as the enchanted pumpkins overrun Garden Glen. Eventually, the townsfolk work together to find unique uses for the extreme variety and abundance of pumpkins.
Knowelden's proper English accent has a hint of a wink and a smile throughout. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 14, 2026
Duration: 21 mins
DD ISBN: 9798225073169
Publisher: Scholastic Audio
Review Posted Online: yesterday
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2026
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