Halloween is full of wild and fun decorations, elaborate costumes, and all the candy. Looking for some kids' audiobooks to get your family in the Halloween spirit—or to listen to while you hot glue that costume together for your little witch or wizard? Read on for some favorite new fantastical, scary, and mysterious middle-grade audiobooks.
WITCHLINGS
by Claribel A. Ortega, read by Cyrina Fiallo
Scholastic Audiobooks, Ages 8+
Seven Salazar is desperate to be sorted into the House Hyacinth coven, but winds up a Spare along with her bully and a new kid. Can they come together to do the impossible and defeat the Nightbeast? Narrator Cyrina Fiallo shines as she voices each of the characters, conveying Seven's bravery and determination. Young listeners will adore this tale of friendship and magic that is guaranteed to make them laugh—and have them gasping in fear as Seven, Valley, and Thorn fight for their future, and their town.
AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS
by B.B. Alston, read by Imani Parks
Harper Audio, Ages 8+
Amari Peters is amazing, just as her brother Quinton always told her. But Quinton is missing, and she's worried for his safety. She's shocked when she learns that her brother is actually a special agent in the supernatural world, she's drawn into that world herself to try and save him. Imani Parks narrates this outstanding fantasy audiobook with vibrancy, and her youthful voice is best when bringing the curious and defensive Amari to life. Listeners will be swept away to a world of incredible supernatural beings and fearsome magicians that they'll be delighted to revisit in the outstanding sequel, AMARI AND THE GREAT GAME.
GROUNDED FOR ALL ETERNITY
by Darcy Marks, read by Kevin R. Free
Simon & Schuster Audio, Ages 8+
Narrator Kevin R. Free delivers a spectacular performance of this adventurous tale that makes for perfect Halloween listening. Free voices Mal and his hellborn squadmates with a youthful tone and sense of curiosity as they explore Earth for the first time on Halloween night. But they have to get themselves, and escaped souls, back to hell before their parents find out where they are. Free fully embodies antagonists, both hellish and heavenly, with high drama that hooks listeners on this romp.
CORALINE
by Neil Gaiman, read by Julian Rhind-Tutt, Pixie Davies, and a full cast
Harper Audio, Ages 8+
A cast of talented British actors give voice to a new audio edition of Neil Gaiman's classic and creepy children's novel, just in time for its 20th anniversary. Coraline is bored and looking for adventure when she opens a mysterious door in her new house, leading her to another world—and an Other Mother. Julian Rhind-Tutt's narration underscores the beautiful writing and eerie atmosphere. Pixie Davies's Coraline sounds intrepid and brave. A full cast of actors enliven characters on both sides of the door as Coraline works to outwit the Other Mother and save her real parents. Magical—and scary—listening.
VALENTINA SALAZAR IS NOT A MONSTER HUNTER
by Zoraida Córdova, read by Ana Osario
Scholastic Audiobooks, Ages 8+
Valentina Salazar is proud of her family's role as monster protectors and just wants them to work together again and fulfill their promise to return creatures to the mystical world they came from. But her family members are dealing with the death of her father in different ways, whether it's trying to give up on magical altogether or running away to hunt down the beast that killed him. Ana Osario delivers a feisty and charismatic young heroine in a tiny package, and Valentina demands listener's attention as she leads them on a wild ride.
TRISTAN STRONG KEEPS PUNCHING
by Kwame Mbalia, read by Amir Abdullah
Disney Hyperion, Ages 8+
AudioFile Earphones Award
Listeners first met Tristan Strong when he punched a hole through the sky into another world—Alke, where the folk heroes he learned about from his grandmother were alive. In this final book in the trilogy, narrator Amir Abdullah again triumphs with his lively characterizations. Tristan is pursuing his terrifying archenemy, King Cotton, up the Mississippi River—Cotton is kidnapping children, and Tristan has to stop him, but everything keeps going wrong, and he needs to call on his Alkean friends, his family, and his courage to prevail. This magical story coupled with Abdullah's talented narration makes for an audiobook that should not be missed.
THE GIRL IN THE LAKE
by India Hill Brown, read by Bahni Turpin
Scholastic Audiobooks, Ages 8+
Narrator Bahni Turpin delivers scares and family drama in this tween horror audiobook with a historical twist. Celeste is nervous to spend a week with her brother and cousins at their grandparents' lake house—she's just failed her swim test and is scared of the water. Turpin is perfect as the reserved and thoughtful Celeste, and her narration surrounds Celeste with warm family members. When strange things start to happen and Celeste discovers she looks like her great aunt who drowned as a child, Turpin's rising tone of panic will make listeners' hearts race.
TEMPLE ALLEY SUMMER
by Sachiko Kashiwaba, Avery Fischer Udagawa [Trans.], read by Traci Kato-Kiriyama
Yonder, Ages 8+
AudioFile Earphones Award
Narrator Traci Kato-Kiriyama infuses this charming translated novel with the perfect sense of dreamy wonder. Practical Kazu doesn't really believe in ghosts. But there's a new girl in school, and he could swear he first saw her in the moonlight outside his house. Kato-Kiriyama delivers engaging character voices for Kazu and his companions, while the narration of the manga story within the story has a more wistful tone. Listeners will feel transported to Japan, and to fantastical worlds beyond.
CHILDREN OF THE QUICKSANDS
by Efua Trahoré, read by Tyla Collier
Scholastic Audiobooks, Ages 8+
Tyla Collier's narration of this imaginative story set in Nigeria is warm and folkloric. Thirteen-year-old Simi is sent to a remote village to stay with a grandmother she didn't even know existed. She uncovers secrets about her family—and learns that magic exists. Collier's youthful tone draws listeners into Simi's adolescent world, creating a direct connection to the people, the village, and the eerie forbidden forest where Simi finds herself venturing.
LILY AND THE NIGHT CREATURES
by Nick Lake, read by Imogen Wilde
Simon & Schuster Audio, Ages 8+
Imogen Wilde's husky voice and English accent enliven the narrative and characters in this spooky adventure story. Lily doesn't want to accept two challenging truths: She has a serious chronic illness, and her parents are thrilled about the imminent arrival of "The Baby." But when Lily becomes caught up in a deadly battle to repossess her family's home from replicant "parent-things," she has to learn to confront her fears, self-doubt, and anger.
