It doesn’t matter if your child embraces spooky season or if they’re a little more reserved around the ghoulies and ghosties that come out this time of year, there’s a book that will get them excited about both reading and Halloween.
That said, with so much of the season being about fear, it’s important that you’re mindful of your child’s limits and find a book that is age-appropriate.
In order to help you find the perfect option for your kids to read, we asked educators with the Macomb County Intermediate School District to share some of their top Halloween books for kids by grade level. Take a look at some of their favorite picks here.
Preschoolers Â
Younger kids learning how to read may get excited about it with some of these merry-not-scary board books, which were selected by Joanne Elkin, an early childhood and early literacy consultant with the MISD.
Mouse’s First Halloween by Lauren Thompson
- Best for ages: 2-4
Mouse is very confused by the bats flying, falling leaves and children asking trick-or-treat. Will he learn that these are the signs of Halloween? Get a copy for $6.99-$17.99 on Amazon.
Happy Halloween Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt
- Best for ages: 3-5
Stinky face is getting ready for trick-or-treating but he’s worried about what could go wrong. His Mama knows that he’ll have the best day ever — if only he could figure out his costume. Price ranges $3.99-$6.99 on Amazon.
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
- Best for ages: 3-7
A witch loses her hat, bow and wand while on a broomstick ride in the sky. Three helpful animals agree to look for the items in exchange for a ride on her broom. Choose from a paperback copy for $7.16 or hardcover for $11.52 on Amazon.
Corduroy’s Best Halloween Ever! by Don Freeman
- Best for age: 4-8
This book comes from the beloved Corduroy series. Join Corduroy as he tries to pick the perfect Halloween costume for his perfect Halloween celebrations. Buy a paperback for $3.79 on Amazon.
Five Little Pumpkins by Dan Yaccarino
- Best for ages: 4-8
Five little pumpkins are sitting on a gate in this rhyming board book. Find yours on Amazon for $1.99-$14.90.Â
Ten Timid Ghosts by Jennifer O’Connell
- Best for ages: 4-8
A mean witch is moving into a haunted house and is scaring the ghosts that live there out one by one. Little pumpkins learn to count as each one goes. Runs $3.77-$19.56 on Amazon.
The Hallo-Wiener by Dav Pilkey
- Best for ages: 4-8
Oscar the wiener dog gets more tricks than treats on Halloween but that all changes with one brave act. Get a copy for $3.99-$15.75 on Amazon.
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
- Best for ages: 4-8
A little old lady who isn’t afraid of a single things is in for the scare of her life when she hears a clomping in the woods. Paperback is $7.18 on Amazon.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Bat! by Lucille Colandro
- Best for ages: 4-8
This book puts a Halloween twist on the beloved There Was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly. This time she swallows a bat, owl, cat, ghost, goblin and more. Get yours for $3.99-$5.53 on Amazon.
Click, Clack, Boo! by Doreen Cronin
- Best for ages: 5-7
Farmer Brown doesn’t like Halloween, so he spends the night in bed. His barnyard animals have other plans. Get a copy for $3.99-$6.99 on Amazon.
Elementary
Elementary students may be ready to step up from board books, but they may not be prepared for something super scary. Here are some nice transitional options, courtesy of Lisa Rivard, a language art consultant for the Macomb County Intermediate School District.
Calendar Mysteries: October Ogre by Ron Roy
- Best for ages: 6-9
The 10th book in the series tells the story of kids that sneak into a hotel for some scary fun — but none of the kids that have gone in so far have made their way back out. Costs $5.99 on Amazon.
Horrible Harry at Halloween by Suzy Kline
- Best for ages: 7-9
Horrible Harry and his classmates love Halloween — and Harry always surprises them with a scary costume. He’s been Count Dracula, the Loch Ness Monster and a snack so far. What will he be this year? Costs $4.99 on Amazon.
A to Z Mysteries Series by Ron Roy
- Best for ages: 8-12
This 26-book series features a wide variety of spooky and mysterious stories that kids will love. The entire series is $99.99 on Amazon, but you can get individual books, too.
American Chillers by Johnathan Rand
- Best for ages: 9-12
This series tells ghost stories based in some of America’s biggest cities. Prices vary by title.
Michigan Chiller Series by Johnathan Rand
- Best for ages: 9-12
This series features ghost stories set in some of our state’s most popular locations such as Mackinac Island, Traverse City and Petoskey. Prices vary by title.
Middle school
Looking for a spooky read for kids in middle or high school? Elizabeth Lietz, an ELA consultant with the Macomb Intermediate School District, offers these options, which she selected from Publishers Weekly and The Perpetual Page-Turner’s lists.
The Sleepover by Michael Regina
- Best for ages: 8-12
The Russo family nanny has unexpectedly passed away and Matthew Russo is taking the news the hardest. When his friends come over to cheer him up with a sleepover, his mom has to hire a new nanny who Matthew just doesn’t trust. Is she really there to care for the kids or is she there to eat them instead? Get yours for $8.99-$20.99 on Amazon.Â
Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters by Chris Samnee and Laura Samnee
- Best for ages: 9-12
Rainbow has been looking for her younger sister for more than a year in a world where monsters have taken over. When she finally finds her, Jonna is strong enough to knock out the monsters. Together, they’ll discover what this scary new world is hiding.
Dark Waters by Katherine Arden
- Best for ages: 10-12
The smiling man made a promise to Ollie, Coco and Brian and he always keeps his promises. Now he’s back and playing games with the friends who shipwreck on an island and must survive Lake Champlain. Runs $9.99-$14.99 on Amazon.
High school
Me (Moth) by Amber McBride
- Best for ages: 12-17
Moth lost her family in an accident, and feels completely alone and uprooted, despite living with her aunt. When she meets a boy named Sani, who is also searching for a sense of family, the two go on a road trip to try to learn about their ancestors. Runs $10.99-$15.59 on Amazon.
I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
- Best for ages: 14-plus
Jazz is a likable teenager, but he’s also the son of the world’s most infamous serial killer who is now in jail. When bodies start piling up in town again, all eyes start looking toward Jazz. Get your copy on Kindle or in paperback for $8.99 on Amazon.
The Woods Are Always Watching by Stephanie Perkins
- Best for ages: 14-plus
Friends Neena and Josie were outcasts in high school but they at least had each other. Before heading off to college, where they’ll be 2,000 miles apart, the pair goes on a three-day hike through the woods where they quickly learn that bears aren’t the only thing to worry about. Runs $10.99-$14.14 on Amazon.
White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson
- Best for ages: 14-plus
The ghosts from her childhood are still chasing Marigold but she hopes for a new start when her family moves from California to the Midwest. But when she gets to the dilapidated house, strange things begin to happen.
- Best for ages: 14-plus
This not-scary Halloween teen read is about a teen who turned into a vampire for her One True Love and then he dumps her years later. Find out what happens when her and the other girls he did this to, get their revenge.
- Best for ages: 14-plus
Find out how a new witch struggles with learning her powers at Mesmortes Coven Academy. She is embraced by another three witches known as the Red Three. Find out what they do when other students start turning up dead.
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