The voice that was used in the review audio book was not the finalized voice and was a robotic one which slightly made it weird listening to the book but overall it wasn't bad. It was a really interesting ghost story that normalized the ability to see dead people. While it does a really good job in talking about and dealing with issues of grief, it also lacks some of the nuance that would make the book better. ie. Callie doesn't grieve her father with her sister and mother because she still sees him. But the rift between her and her mother because of this is nonexistent. It was overall a really fun book, the tall lady reminded me of the Japanese folklore scary character Hasshakusama. I think the story could have either been a little longer or chose one topic to focus on, with the tall lady, grief, missing boys, and her possible loosing her ability to see dead people there is a lot of different strings all being pulled to make the show continue.

While listening to this, my phone stopped working. Once I received my new phone and downloaded the Netgalley app I lost all my downloaded audiobooks. I was unable to finish.

What Stays Buried, by Suzanne Young, will be popular with readers in grades 4-6 who enjoy scary stories. Fans of R.L. Stine and other children's horror books will appreciate the ghosts and curses in the story, while fans of family-centric stories will appreciate the familial ties found in the narrative.

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
Calista will soon turn 13. When she does she will lose the ability to see and speak to ghosts. This means she will also lose the ability to see the ghost of her father and grandmother. On top of all of this, children begin to disappear and Calista is the only one who can help.
The importance of Calista's family was shown throughout the book, and her loss of her father and grandmother was especially hard. The mystery and supernatural elements were interesting and added to Calista's story.

One of the best thriller audio books that I have listed to this year. It kept me interested and the narrator I feel did an amazing job. It was easy to connect to the characters as they were memorable and lovable. I can't wait to read more from this author. The fall is fast approaching and if you need an impactful yet easy read this one is for you.

This review is based on an ARC audio-book read by an AI narrator. The final audiobook will be performed by a human professional. "What Stays Buried" follows a pleasantly predictable plot and then author Suzanne Young provides an unexpected event which keeps the reader engaged and reading to advance through the story. Following Calista solving more than just the mystery of disappearing kids is a pleasure for any reader interested in mystery, the supernatural, family and family loss, magic, and enjoying the outdoors. The only regret when loading this book is not finding it sooner.

“Calista was bursting with emotion, but as the waves of pain left and receded, all that was left was love. A love so big, it crossed any reality.”

Calista Wynn is twelve years old and will lose her ability to speak with the dead on her thirteenth birthday. And with only a few weeks left, local children have started going missing. When Calista meets The Tall Lady—an angry spirit with a grudge against Calista, her family, and the entire town—she knows she’s found the ghost responsible for the disappearances. It’s up to Calista, the only one who can see The Tall Lady, to stop her. If she doesn’t, Calista will not only lose her powers… she’ll lose everyone she has left.

This book is middle grade and just absolutely precious. Calista is such a sweet young lady but also possesses so much strength for her age. She is a protector, she speaks to ghosts, and she is working tirelessly to break the curse and keep those that have passed on (but that she still has the ability to see) in her world. She is a bit awkward due to her gift and doesn’t quite fit in with her peers, but she prevails.

This is a story about death, coming of age, grieving, healing, and the acceptance of what we cannot control. The more I read middle grade, the more I want to read!

I was also given a voice galley of What Stays Buried and, while it is a digitally narrated version, I still enjoyed having it to listen to when I couldn’t read with my eyes.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins Children’s Books, Harper Audio, and the author for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.

SO GOOD! I enjoyed this from start to finish. I am here a well-written middle grade paranormal fiction (audio) book. I wasn't a huge fan of the narrator but that was not enough of a deterrent to give this any less than five stars. I loved the strong family bonds both on earth and in the beyond. The MC was strong, and had to learn how to deal with grief. I highly recommend this and hope my library will order a copy.

This was a spooky little tale that wasn't too scary, yet will allow readers who enjoy the spooky side of things to enjoy. The characters were well rounded and the plot line was easy to follow. I wish that there was a little more information about Calista's ability. There are a few sidesteps throughout the story that seemed out of place for the narrative, yet will most likely be missed by the target audience. This story does delve into grief and loss, and does so with a unique and acceptable storyline.

The synthesized voice was not too difficult to understand, yet this story will most likely be more enjoyable with an emotional narration.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Audio for this Voice Galley of What Stays Buried.

This book has everything that I enjoy about Middle Grade horror and none of the pitfalls I find in the genre. Despite being written for children, it does not wear "kid gloves" and pulls no punches when it comes to terror. As a reader, I felt just as frightened and powerless as Calista did throughout the story, but the sources walked the line of "too scary" and "not scary" perfectly providing the scares through sensations of being watched and outmatched by the big bad instead of relying on the gross and gorey.

The elements of child deaths, demonic possession and angry ghosts offer much of the punch that adult horror, and provide the scares I see children requesting with increasing frequency at the library, but in a package that is age appropriate.

Of course I also have to say that I deeply love it when a scary story is set in New York. I find that the South and Midwest are often the settings of much juvenile horror, and I love some North East representation! I'm planning on pairing this book with some nonfiction on the Spiritualist movement and the Fox sisters to encourage some New York historical education along with the story!

Overall I really enjoyed this book! The characters were all lovable, even when they made mistakes, and the villain didn't feel flat (one of the issues I have with children's horror). I'll absolutely be recommending this book to young horror fans at my library!

This was a good story with lots of unexpected parts. It will make a great audio book as it isn't overly long so it will keep younger readers interested. I enjoyed the overall premise of the book and found it to move fairly steadily forward. Overall, a good purchase of libraries who need some newer audiobooks in their collection.

I reviewed the physical copy of the book and really enjoyed it. I wasn't able to hear the voiced narration as this was a Voice Arc, so I can't speak to the narrator.

I like the fact that it is available as an audiobook because many of my patrons prefer to listen when reading.

Calista Wynn isn't looking forward to turning 13. When Calista turns 13 she will lose her ability to communicate with those who have passed on. Calista is trying to find out why the local children keep going missing. Will she be able to help them before she loses her ability? Will she find a way to keep her gift? Suzanne Young does an excellent job writing about death, grief, and fear in this novel.

Wow! Such weight on a young girl's shoulders, Calista is given the ability to speak to/with the dead then has to face the knowledge that she will lose this ability when she turns thirteen. Through this ability she is the only person that can see and talk with/to her father and grandmother. She has to deal with the knowledge that she will lose them again.

As she is struggling with the upcoming loss of her abilities she discovers that there is a family curse, set on them by an angry spirit that has a grudge against her family and the whole town. She discovers this as children are disappearing She is trying to help find the children before more are lost and hopefully she can give peace to their families. '

It is a race to save those missing and stop her sister from being taken.

I have several students who are into mystery and suspense. I will be recommending this to them.

I was given the opportunity to read this by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mystery, Ghosts, and a female protagonist gives What Stays Buried a strong start for those kids who want something slightly scary. Dealing with the big emotions of grief, fear, and love this story is one that is important to all kids who have big feelings and are unsure on how to deal with those feelings. Suzanne Young creates a world that is both believable and fantastical.

Cute little story about a family who has psychic abilities until they turn a certain age. As Calista approaches that age, she starts to panic because, along with the fact that she is going to lose her psychic power, she knows that means she will also no longer be able to talk to her grandmother and her father anymore because they are both deceased. During this same timeframe, young children are starting to disappear and the town is worried. What is happening to the kids? Calista is the only connection to solving the disappearances. She can talk to the kids who have been taken and killed. She needs to solve the mystery before she turns 13.

Twelve-year-old Calista Wynn comes from a long line of mediums who can to speak to ghosts. The gift comes to the children in the family when they turn seven and leave when they turn thirteen.

When Calista’s 5-year-old sister is seen talking to a ghost Calista can’t see, she becomes worried. When her sister goes missing, Calista knows she must act quickly, before her birthday, when she’ll lose her gift.

With a likable cast of characters, this spooky and entertaining read is sure to engage young readers.

Thank you Harper Collins and Netgalley for granting me the pleasure of reading the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

From the first chapter I was hooked on the plot! The dialogues felt realistic and the emotions portrayed had an enormous impact throughout the book. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a strong realistic story in a unrealistic world. Job well done!

A common and tricky question for librarians is children who want to read something scary. What Stays Buried is a perfect response for middle grade readers. The protagonist communicates with ghosts. When she starts seeing an evil one, she sets off on a mystery adventure with just the right amount of danger and genuine spookiness.

Thoroughly enjoyable story. Really liked Calista and other characters. Looking forward to more from this author. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook