The Storyteller

By: Brandon Hobson

Narrated by: Curtis Michael Holland

From National Book Award finalist Brandon Hobson, a kaleidoscopic middle-grade adventure that mixes the anxieties, friendships, and wonders of a Cherokee boy's life with Cherokee history and lore.

Ziggy has ANXIETY. Partly this is because of the way his mind works, and how overwhelmed he can get when other people (especially his classmate Alice) are in the room. And partly it's because his mother disappeared when he was very young, making her one of many Native women who've gone mysteriously missing. Ziggy and his sister, Moon, want answers, but nobody around can give them.

Once Ziggy gets it in his head that clues to his mother's disappearance may be found in a nearby cave, there's no stopping him from going there. Along with Moon, Alice, and his best friend, Corso, he sets out on a mind-bending adventure where he'll discover his story is tied to all the stories of the Cherokees that have come before him.

Ziggy might not have any control over the past -- but if he learns the lessons of the storytellers, he might be able to better shape his future and find the friends he needs.

©2023 Brandon Hobson (P)2023 Scholastic Inc

Engaging Modern Indigenous YA Novel

Fantastic narration! Holland was able to capture and distinguish each of the diverse characters, bringing them to life, seamlessly and authentically, drawing the reader into the story.

Interesting story about Cherokee storytelling and traditional folk characters, a boy with anxiety, and his family, who are all dealing with the disappearance of his mother years ago. It does play a bit like Alice in Wonderland, with various strange characters imparting wisdom through stories and songs.

The story does a great job of exploring diverse responses to grief, as well as how hard it can be to open up and have meaningful relationships with family, friends, and those closest to us.

While the narrative primarily revolves around creating and remembering stories as a means of cultural connection, it could have delved deeper into its secondary theme: missing indigenous women. Although it starts with a quest for answers, the story emphasizes finding happiness and moving past loss — which might be sound advice, but I think there could have been more emphasis on seeking justice and acknowledging that law-enforcement has traditionally been incredibly insufficient in protecting, and solving crimes against, indigenous women.

Another family in the story seems to be completely drowning in their grief, obsessing over every sound, thinking it might be their missing daughter’s spirit still with them. The mother says that the protagonist should pray about his mother instead of looking for answers. The family’s entire life seems to be focused on the missing daughter’s spirit being around them - and there is no sense that the author thinks this is unhealthy or tragic.

Then, again, this isn’t my story to tell, and maybe the best message for young people IS to find ways to move on. Since it’s not my experience, it’s hard for me to judge.

I still enjoyed the story overall, though it went against my expectations.