Kids' Corner

Shivery New Titles

The days are getting shorter and cooler, school routines have settled in, and Halloween is approaching!  Here are some shivery new titles at HPL: 

Boo to You!  by Lois Ehlert

Two mice prepare a Halloween night harvest feast, and manage to outsmart the scary cat  who thinks he is invited.  The striking illustrations are collages of real harvest foods.  For ages 3 – 6 

The Dangerous Alphabet   by Neil Gaiman

A brother and sister (and their pet gazelle) go on a treasure hunt below the city.  This is a picture book for older children, by the author of this year’s Newbery Award winner The Graveyard Book. For grades 4 – 6 

Closed for the Season  by Mary Downing Hahn

Two boys try to solve the mystery of a murder that took place years ago – and find themselves in an old amusement park that is supposed to be closed for the season.  For grades 5 – 7 

Dying to Meet You:  43 Old Cemetery Road   by Kate Klise

A children’s book author moves into a Victorian mansion to write a book about ghosts – not knowing that a ghost named Olive lives in the house!   For grades 4 – 6 

The Hungry Ghosts   by Julius Lester

The ghosts in the cemetery next to Malcolm David’s house are making spooky sounds not to scare anybody, but because they are hungry!     For ages 4 – 8 

Only a Witch Can Fly      by Allison McGhee

A young girl in a witch costume on Halloween night is determined to fly on her broom.  Beautiful linoleum block print illustrations by Taeeun Yoo create a haunting atmosphere.  For grades K – 2 

The August House Book of Scary Stories:  Spooky Tales for Telling Out Loud      edited by Liz Parkhurst

This collection of 20 stories is scary!  Contributed by professional storytellers,  they include tips on how to tell the story as well as background information.     For ages 10 and up 

Spellbinder    by  Helen Stringer

Some of 12 year old Belladonna Johnson’s best friends are ghosts.  When they suddenly disappear,  she and her classmate Steve have to find clues that will explain the disappearance.  For ages 9 – 12 

Happy Reading,  and Happy Halloween!

Ellen Xydias
Children’s Librarian