Spooky Reads: Kids

In the year since Alexander and his father moved to Stermont, he and his friends in the Super Secret Monster Patrol of Stermont Elementary have defeated all kinds of monsters, but now they face their greatest challenge, the boss-monster who has kidnapped fellow monster fighter Ms. Vanderpants and stolen the Notebook of Doom--and they have to do it before Alexander turns eight and stops being able to see monsters.

For Lucely Luna, ghosts are more than just the family business. Shortly before Halloween, Lucely and her best friend, Syd, cast a spell that accidentally awakens malicious spirits, wreaking havoc throughout St. Augustine. Together, they must join forces with Syd's witch grandmother, Babette, and her tubby tabby, Chunk, to fight the haunting head-on and reverse the curse to save the town and Lucely's firefly spirits before it's too late.

Is it possible to die -- and not know it? What if a person is buried too soon? What happens to a thief foolish enough to rob a corpse, or to a murderer whose victim returns from the grave? Read about these terrifying predicaments as well as what happens when practical jokes produce gruesome consequences and initiations go awry.Stephen Gammell's splendidly creepy drawings perfectly capture the mood of more than two dozen scary stories -- and even a scary song -- all just right for reading alone or for telling aloud in the dark.If You Dare

Seven scary stories to tell at night in front of a fire or in the dark, based on traditional stories and folktales from various countries.

Nobody Owens is a normal boy, except that he has been raised by ghosts and other denizens of the graveyard.

Monster may think he wants to be in a scary story, but then again ... A hilarious return by the team that brought us Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise. Our author would like to write a funny story, but his main character -- Monster -- has a different idea. He wants to be the star of a chilling, petrifying, utterly terrifying SCARY story. But scary stories ... well, they can be very scary -- especially for their characters! Particularly when they involve dark forests and creepy witches and spooky houses ... Oh yikes and crikes, this is definitely not the scary story Monster had in mind! Maybe he wants to be in a funny story after all!

On Halloween night, Stillwater the giant panda tells Karl, Addy, and Michael a spooky and unusual story. Based on a Zen koan, includes an author's note with a history of the story and facts about Zen koans.

In this illustrated version of the classic novelty song, a mad scientist's monster performs a new dance which becomes "the hit of the land" when the scientist throws a party for other monsters.

On Halloween, Melly is invited to Cousin Malberta's home for a surprise, but as she walks there on a beautifully spooky evening, she is followed by increasing numbers of creatures that may actually be frightening.

A boy who looks ordinary transforms into grumbling Crankenstein when he receives more tricks than treats on Halloween.

Join five adorable little pumpkins on their romp through their neighborhood in this silly rhyming story that celebrates all that is fun about Halloween.

A Caldecott Award-winning author-artist creates an ingenious way for kids to chase away their nighttime monsters.

Fiona explores the nighttime wonders of the outdoors, from the sounds of the owl and mockingbird to flowers that bloom only in the dark.

From "Mary, Mary, Tall and Scary" to "Wee Willie Werewolf," this collection of classic nursery rhymes turned on their heads will give readers the chills--and a serious case of belly laughs. With clever rhyme and spooky illustrations, Mother Ghost is perfect for getting in the Halloween spirit. Boo!

An illustrated collection of short poems about witches, werewolves, broomsticks, and other signs of Halloween.

Presents a collection of silly, scary, and disgusting poems about monsters and other unusual creatures.

Twilight's here. The death bell rings. Everyone knows what the death bell brings-it's time for class! You're in the place where goblins wail and zombies drool. (That's because they're kindergartners.) Welcome to Monster School. In this entertaining collection of poems, award-winning poet Kate Coombs and debut artist Lee Gatlin bring to vivid life a wide and playful cast of characters (outgoing, shy, friendly, funny, prickly, proud) that may seem surprisingly like the kids you know . . . even if these kids are technically monsters.

If you take your trick-or-treat sack and venture into the dark woods on Halloween night, you'll find cat bones, rat bones, and bat bones - and all are looking at YOU!

Thirteen poems to spice up the holiday that ghouls and ghosts love most. "Prelutsky's Nightmares tamed for beginning readers. They're catchy at the most rudimentary level."--Kirkus Reviews.

It's Halloween night! The rising moon lights the way for trick-or-treaters and sets the mood for a spooky celebration where imagination rules.