Narrator Ron Butler conveys the naïve playfulness of 12-year-old Hoodoo, who was born into a magical family—seemingly, without any magic himself. Butler amplifies the humor of Hoodoo’s oft-repeated refrain—“if you didn’t know”—with just the right throw-away quality. Butler is also frighteningly believable as the deep-voiced Stranger, a demon who must be vanquished by Hoodoo in order to save his family and community. Elements of life in a small, African-American enclave in 1930s Alabama are brought forth through the delicious text and the immersive narration, with Jim Crow problems integrally woven into the story. Spooky and comical by turns, Ronald L. Smith’s atmospheric winner of a 2016 Coretta Scott King Award is terrific family listening.
(Horror. 9-12)Pub Date: Dec. 6, 2016
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781666593365
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
The satisfying conclusion reveals Itzel finding belonging and home and transforming into a storyteller.
Frankie Corzo, who narrated the first two audiobooks in this SF trilogy, brings this finale to fans. Itzel is the granddaughter of Petra, who was introduced in The Last Cuentista (2021). Corzo expresses story-loving Itzel’s intelligence and curiosity as she grieves her mother’s death and worries about the limited resources on Sagan, her home planet. Corzo depicts Petra with an older-sounding voice, conveying her penchant for telling tales and tenderness toward her granddaughter. Corzo portrays their deepening feelings as both prepare to leave Sagan to return to Earth. Before this century-long journey, Itzel ingests a sleeping capsule imbued with her grandmother’s memories, further strengthening and deepening their bond.
The satisfying conclusion reveals Itzel finding belonging and home and transforming into a storyteller. (Science fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: June 9, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 21 mins
DD ISBN: 9798898851255
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: July 28, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2026
Kelly’s kaleidoscopic voice draws listeners in.
Caitlin Kelly narrates the start of a new children’s fantasy animal series from a powerhouse author. After losing their home to a mysterious fire, cat sisters Willow and Luna stumble upon secretive animals with the ability to communicate with them despite being different species. This means that the sisters are “attuned” and have magical abilities. Luna can control fire, but Willow struggles to realize her own gift. Kelly easily differentiates a wide cast of animal characters. And as Willow and Luna witness their new world clash with human witches, Kelly adds emotional intensity that matches the highly dramatic situations the animals find themselves in.
Kelly’s kaleidoscopic voice draws listeners in. (Animal fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: May 19, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 55 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063449558
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: July 14, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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