The Storyteller by Brandon Hobson

The Storyteller

Brandon Hobson

Scholastic Inc. · Paperback · May 6, 2025

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.

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Who it’s for
Anxieties, friendships, and Cherokee lore meet in a kaleidoscopic middle-grade adventure.
Themes
Cherokee history and lore, Anxiety and friendship, A mother's disappearance
Pacing
Fast

About this book

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.

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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.

Stories in Motion

Anxieties, friendships, and Cherokee lore meet in a kaleidoscopic middle-grade adventure.

Come here for

  • A thoughtful mix of anxiety, friendship, and wonder
  • Cherokee history and lore woven into an adventure

Expect

  • A mind-bending middle-grade adventure
  • Family questions alongside stories passed down through generations

Where it sits

US: Native American Stories80%
Magic & Fantasy48%
Loss & Grief35%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • US: Native American Stories
  • Country & Ethnic Folktales
  • Magic & Fantasy
Authors
Brandon Hobson
Publisher
Scholastic Inc.
Published
May 6, 2025
Format
Paperback
Theme
Cherokee history and lore · Anxiety and friendship · A mother's disappearance
Reading lane
US: Native American Stories