In these audiobooks, characters from various backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences navigate the outside world, sometimes for the first time, and find hope in one another and themselves. The promises of a happily ever after, found family, and new beginnings make these audiobooks ideal companions to a fresh season.

If you’re a genre reader who wants to be captivated by your next romantasy novel, I have the perfect vampire page-turner for you. Maybe you’re preparing for a big move or cross-country road trip this summer and would love to press play on a cozy escape. This spring, there’s a love story on audio for every listener. Here are seven romance audiobooks for teens to help you find yours!

no no 9780593943595 A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya, read by Diana Bustelo and Gary Tiedemann

When I first listened to Angela Montoya’s debut young adult novel, Sinner’s Isle, I knew she would become one of my favorite romance authors. Each swashbuckling adventure sweeps you into the arms of her heroines, making you feel like you’re the one holding the sword! In A Cruel Thirst, Montoya delivers an irresistible tale of a vampire huntress named Carolina who must work with her greatest enemy to defeat all evil. However, to her surprise, the rookie vampire Lalo is not the monster she expected.

9798217019311 Say a Little Prayer by Jenna Voris, read by Caitlin Kinnunen

As a teen, I attended Catholic school and Sunday school, with uniforms and holy sacraments required! Even though that’s not a big part of my life anymore, I enjoy coming-of-age stories that explore what it’s like growing up in a religious community while grappling with your own identity. In Say a Little Prayer by Jenna Voris, we follow Riley and Julia as they set aside their differences, fall madly in love, and start a revolution at their church camp. What could go wrong?

9798217014941 Love Points to You by Alice Lin, read by Katharine Chin

I enjoy rivals-to-lovers romance stories and seeing two young people overcome challenges to pursue their joy. Love Points to You by Alice Lin is a sweet contemporary story following two rival classmates, Linda and Angela. The two fall for each other while working on a love-based video game that could set them up for future success in romance and beyond.

9798217074570 All the Stars Align by Gretchen Schreiber, read by Taylor Meskimen

Deeply saddened by the sudden news of her parents’ divorce, Piper worries that her love life is doomed to fail before she can find her star-crossed soulmate. That is, until she meets him at a party, of course! When Piper enlists the help of her former best friend and love expert, Leo, to capture the attention of her beloved, things get even more complicated — and enchanting.

9798217014903 I Love You S’more by Auriane Desombre, read by Kristen DiMercurio

I Love You S’more is a delightful sapphic love story that reminds me of the first time I watched The Parent Trap and dreamt about spending an entire summer at camp, making new friends and developing new crushes. This is exactly the summer Ivy needs as she recovers from her first public breakup. When she signs up for the camp’s musical production, she meets the bossy co-director Rynn, who makes this summer one they’ll never forget. Swoon!

9798217070220 Camila Núñez’s Year of Disasters by Miriam Zoila Pérez, read by Yenni Ann

One of my favorite rituals this year has been a daily tarot reading, so when I heard Miriam Zoila Pérez’s debut YA novel featured tarot cards and sweet sixteens, I knew I had to listen. Cuban American teen Camila struggles with anxiety and body image, and she is learning about her queerness along the way. She wants to be the best she can be — the best daughter, best dog walker, and best friend. But first, she’ll have the best love story of all — the one she has with herself.

9780593705063 Lady Knight by Amalie Howard, read by Yasmin Mwanza

Perfect for regency-era and historical romance readers, Lady Knight by Amalie Howard has it all — humor, friendship, and swordplay. If you’re missing shows like Bridgerton, you’ll fall head over heels for this page-turner about the misadventures of a duke’s daughter and her brother’s best friend, a handsome rake named Rafi.

The post 7 YA Romance Audiobooks Perfect for Spring appeared first on Brightly.

Sometimes, as we grow up and for many different reasons, we experience big changes or great losses that force us to face even greater fears than lights out. And all of that while trying to navigate a first kiss or study for that test in fourth period! While some may not have the vocabulary yet to describe those anxious thoughts (I certainly didn’t when I was growing up), scary stories can be a surprisingly fun outlet and teach you so much about yourself. Listening to horror audiobooks invites us all to become just a little braver in real life too.

If you’re up for a hair-rising challenge this Halloween season, here are seven of my favorite horror audiobooks perfect for tweens in need of a terrifying thrill! Highly recommend listening to these with popcorn, sour gummies, or a Pumpkin Spice latte.

no no 9798217014538 Blood City Rollers by V.P. Andrews, read by a full cast, featuring Vico Ortiz of Max’s original series, Our Flag Means Death

If you’re already feeling nostalgic for the exciting world of the Olympics after this summer’s inspiring wins, Blood City Rollers is the perfect audiobook for goth kids on the MOVE.

Thirteen-year-old Mina is an ice skater on a one-track path to Olympic gold and all-time greatness – until a competition wipeout sucks her into the world of Paranormal Roller Derby. And all the creatures of the night that go with it.

Whether you’re carpooling to swim practice with your besties or enjoying an early morning walk, you won’t be able to hit pause on this incredibly spirited graphic novel, adapted for audio, and performed by a stellar full cast.

And even if you’re like me and not a great skater, don’t forget to workshop your best roller derby nickname – mine’s Friday Addams, my favorite creepy family’s chaotic cousin on wheels!

9780593453889 The Devouring Wolf by Natalie C. Parker, read by Jeremy Carlisle Parker

Told through a wonderful narration by Jeremy Carlisle Parker, The Devouring Wolf is a deeply poetic audiobook about queer kids, big mistakes, and familial bonds. Twelve-year-old Riley Callahan is ready to turn into a wolf but on the eve of the first full moon of summer, she and some of her friends don’t shift. Is it a coincidence or the work of a more sinister plan?

One of my favorite monsters is the werewolf, a horrifying figure of folklore that usually gets a bad reputation for being, well, a monster! But I think werewolves are highly misunderstood creatures, so when I listened to The Devouring Wolf, I knew I’d discovered a magical tale for the little wolf in me. And the power of sharing your genuine self with your friends and family!

And if you love this audiobook, the wolf pack reunites in the sequel, The Nameless Witch.

9780593865583 It Came from the Trees by Ally Russell, read by Shayna Small

Listeners, I have a confession to make. It Came from the Trees made me pause my audiobook … to turn ON the lights! But once I felt safe in a brightly lit room, I could not stop listening to this spine-tingling adventure, perfect for fans of Goosebumps.

Ally Russell’s debut takes the infamous Bigfoot myth and gives it a fresh update through the point of view of Jenna, a young scout and granddaughter to the first Black park ranger at her local Sturbridge Reservation. When her best friend is taken by a vicious creature lurking the woods, it’s up to Jenna and her new scout troop to come together and do the impossible – finally defeat the monster!

9780593865569 It Happened to Anna by Tehlor Kay Mejia, read by Sara Matsui-Colby

When I was in junior high school, one of my favorite after-school TV shows was Are You Afraid of the Dark? on Nickelodeon. At the beginning of each episode, a group of tweens and teens would gather around a campfire at night to share scary stories. Many of them were somber but powerful ghost stories, which were often incredibly helpful in teaching me how to process my own anxious emotions. Each week, we got to see another haunting tale come to life. Listening to the audiobook of It Happened to Anna gave me the same nostalgic feeling!

Sadie Rivera has been haunted by loneliness for most of her young life. She has experienced the accidental death of her close friend, Anna, which forces Sadie to confront grief before many of us are ever ready to do so. It is a grief that threatens to swallow her whole … until she makes a new mysterious friend named Mal.

More than a ghost story, It Happened to Anna is a beautiful ode to facing your fears, finding inner strength, and moving forward even when you’re in pain or feeling sad. May it teach us all that it’s okay to stand up for yourself against all odds, as long as you believe that you are worth it. And no matter how long old you get, it’s okay to ask for help.

9780593413807 Mine by Delilah S. Dawson, read by Sophie Amoss

About three years ago this Halloween, I moved from my hometown of the Bronx down to the sunny state of Florida to be with my family, which is exactly where 12-year-old Lily Horne ends up in Mine, a delightfully creepy ghost story that will keep even the most reluctant listener on the edge of their seat!

Lily is the ultimate drama queen. Literally! She is supposed to be the star of the school play, but when her theatrics land her in deep trouble, her parents demand a fresh start in their new Southern home. The only problem is, it’s a swampy, smelly nightmare. And the ghost that haunts its walls is not exactly friendly.

9798217014552 Taxi Ghost by Sophie Escabasse, read by a full cast

Sometimes, this season is less about vampires, witches, and goblins, and more about our scary real-life milestones … like puberty!

When Adèle gets her first period, she learns that with this next phase of her life comes her family’s long kept secret – she is the descendant of a lineage of mediums! As she comes of age within her tight-knit community, she must decide for herself if this new unique ability is a gift or a curse.

From Sophie Escabasse, author of the beloved Witches of Brooklyn series, comes a new graphic novel that explores coming of age, both physically and spiritually, adapted for audio and performed by a full cast.

9780525638773 Small Spaces by Katherine Arden, read by Renee Dorian

After suffering from a tragic loss, 11-year-old Ollie comes across (ahem…steals) an old book containing a chilling old tale about Beth, the two brothers, and the sinister smiling man.

On a school trip to Smoke Hollow, a local farm with a haunting history of its own, Ollie and two of her classmates set out to learn if the story of the smiling man is truly just an urban legend.

When I was discovering my love of scary audiobooks in 2018, the first audiobook I listened to was Small Spaces, the middle grade debut by New York Times bestselling author, Katherine Arden. I can picture it now — cleaning my bedroom on a weekend afternoon and being transported to another world. And that world was terrifying but spellbinding, chilling but inviting. Those of us who find comfort in horror movies on a rainy day will understand this particular cozy feeling.

For me, that’s the magic of horror audiobooks for young people. The ability to escape into a world that may be scary for a little while, but in the end, we’ve faced our fears together, made ourselves proud, and maybe fought a ghoul or school bully along the way. It’s a safe place to process, learn, and grow. I hope you find the same bravery within yourselves! Who knows what you’ll discover.

The post Listen If You Dare: 7 Horror Audiobooks for Tweens appeared first on Brightly.

I remember pressing ‘play’ on my tiny cassette player, and with each little chime, I knew when to turn the page! Abuela sat with me and admired the beautiful illustrations while we listened. There’s no doubt that these audiobooks helped me learn how to read, even if my Abuela couldn’t read to me from those children’s stories.

Thankfully, more fantastic children’s stories are being published as audiobooks today, and not just in English. Bilingual audiobooks can teach children (and parents or caretakers!) basic Spanish-language skills, or vice versa. For me and many Latino families, publishing audiobooks in English and Spanish can bring generations together through beloved literature and new voices. I hope some of these audiobooks can do that for you and your little listeners!

no no 9780593586105 La oruga muy hambrienta by Eric Carle, read by Diego Santana

La oruga muy hambrienta by Eric Carle is one of the first picture books I remember reading as a kid. If I’d had the Spanish language edition, narrated by Diego Santana, in my library back then, it would have been the audiobook to share with my family—especially my Abuela. This edition includes the read-along chime sounds, which make me feel nostalgic for my cassettes!

9780593586488 De aquí como el coquí by Nomar Perez, read by Almarie Guerra, translated by Farah Perez

This is the perfect listen to share with grandparents, especially if they live far away. Almarie Guerra’s narration brings the author’s experiences moving to the mainland United States from Puerto Rico to life. It reminds me of home in every way, through the colorful descriptions of the protagonist, Miguel’s new life in New York City.

9780593663752 La pequeña locomotora que sí pudo by Watty Piper, read by Cassandra Morris and Cristina Hernández, translated by Alma Flor Ada

Piper’s classic takes listeners on a journey that teaches the importance of asking for help from your community, overcoming obstacles, and believing in yourself, no matter your size. It is a universal message that every kid deserves to hear.

9780593586686 Dragones y tacos by Adam Rubin, read by Rubén Trujillo

The beloved, laugh-out-loud bestselling picture book Dragons Love Tacos is always a hit during family storytime! It’s such a delight that Dragones y tacos, narrated by Rubén Trujillo, is available as an audiobook en Español. Now, everyone can experience the joy and hijinks in multiple languages!

9780593555446 En este banco by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, read by the author

This book by Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, portrays the beautiful, precious connection between a father and son, told through his mother’s eyes. The Duchess’s narration makes this compassionate, warm story even more special.

9780593631539 Retazos by Matt de la Peña, read by Cynthia de Pando and Mariano Chiesa

Retazos, or Patchwork, by Newbery Medal-winning author Matt de la Peña, is a children’s book in verse, read by Cynthia de Pando and Mariano Chiesa. It is a profound and uplifting story for listeners of all ages, especially those discovering their complexities, and invites them to celebrate their uniqueness!

9780593942574 Un aleteo de esperanza by Cynthia Harmony, read by Victoria Villarreal and Cynthia Harmony

A Flicker of Hope, or Un aleteo de esperanza in Spanish, is a tender-hearted children’s book set in Mexico. In it, a young girl named Lucía waits for her beloved Papá to come home. Every year, Lucía watches the migration of monarch butterflies as they journey north. As Papá joins them for work this summer, Lucía spends her days watching the sky, wishing them all a safe journey back. It is a moving tale of family and the power of nature.

9780593943458 Perla la súper perrita by Isabel Allende, read by Natalia Rosminati and Isabel Allende

From the critically acclaimed, international bestselling author Isabel Allende comes a charming, empowering story about a mighty dog named Perla and her human brother, Nico Rico, who work together to stand up to a bully. Parents and fans of Allende’s works will delight in sharing this story in English and Spanish with their little listeners.

The post Escuchar! 8 Great Spanish Audiobooks for Kids appeared first on Brightly.