You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780593751091)

There's always more to the story.

In the latest middle grade speculative novel from Spontaneous author Aaron Starmer, Roman follows the twisted threads of bizarre family legends and magical secrets to write his own chapter in his peculiar family narrative.

"A triumph of imaginative storytelling..."--Booklist, starred review

The Toe Beast looms large in the Barnes family lore--a tale concocted by twelve-year-old Roman's grandpa to explain his missing toe. But Roman has never actually heard the full story, and after his grandpa dies suddenly, it seems like he never will.

That is, until Roman is tasked with clearing out his grandpa's house, and stumbles upon some strange things. An old mason jar full of formaldehyde, a mysterious handwritten book about a girl and a pack of dogs, a rusty metal bucket with peculiar abilities. And they all tie back to extraordinary secrets from the distant past.

By unraveling even more unbelievable stories that have been hidden from him, Roman is forced to rethink how he fits into his family's history. Now it's up to him to see his own story through to the end. Because the Toe Beast was only the beginning . . .

Author: Aaron Starmer
ISBN-10: 0593751094
ISBN-13: 9780593751091
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Language: English
Published: 03/24/2026
Pages: 288
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.25lbs

Review Citation(s):
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 12/01/2025
School Library Journal 12/01/2025 pg. 68
Publishers Weekly 12/01/2025