You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This
by Aaron Starmer
read by Nikola Hamilton
Listening Library, 2026. 5 hours, 57 minutes.
Review written October 9, 2026, from a library eaudiobook.
Starred Review
Here’s a spooky middle grade novel that’s intricately crafted with exactly the right amount of creepiness and wonder to keep you avidly reading or listening.
Honestly, there’s no way in the world I would have listened to this audiobook if it hadn’t gotten nominated for Capitol Choices. (And I am one of many members – I’ll just tell you my opinion.) It looked way too creepy for me. And then it started out so creepy I was glad I was listening at a time that I had to take breaks. And then the plot took bizarre turns (How in the world did Aaron Starmer think of these things?) and then things I thought were throwaways from earlier became important in the story – and it ended up amazing.
Roman Barnes is the youngest of several cousins, and all his older cousins have long loved to listen to Grandpa Henry’s tales of the Toe Beast. But it scared Roman, and he always went into the other room when Grandpa was telling the story.
Then one day, Roman sees Grandpa messing with a big padlock on the shed in the back and talking about the Toe Beast trying to get free. The next day, Grandpa Henry had a stroke and died.
Since Roman is twelve years old and has nothing to do at the end of summer vacation, his parents give him the job of packing up Grandpa Henry’s stuff. When he finds a key to the shed, does he dare open it?
What he finds is only the beginning of bizarre and creepy stuff and stories from both parents about both sets of grandparents. It all has an incredible beginning and impacts Roman in surprising ways.
And there’s not too much I can say about what happens without spoiling the surprises. But it’s scary and mind-bending along with completely brilliant and giving us a kid who shows courage and resourcefulness.
Find this review on Sonderbooks at: www.sonderbooks.com/Childrens_Fiction/you_are_now_old_enough_to_hear_this.html
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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.
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