Welcome to the online presence of the Butler Children's Literature Center, housed within Dominican's School of Information Studies, Crown Library room 214. Here, we celebrate the best in books for youth and those who delight in sharing them. For Fall 2026, BCLC will offer collection access to the Dominican community and general public during posted open hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9am-4pm, and by appointment with the Curator. Contact Jen Clemons at butler@dom.edu or jclemons@dom.edu to make arrangements.
Halloween is upon us once again. Some might wait for the Great Pumpkin, while others will go trick-or-treating, asking for goodies. Consider giving the young readers these delightful seasonal picture books (along with some candy, of course) from our picture book collection. This week’s feature pick is To Knit a Ghost by Z.B. Asterplume and illustrated by Heather Brockman Lee. Readers follow along with a little witch who loves to knit. All she needs is her yarn, knitting needles, a cozy chair, and even a cat (for company) to create a knitted ghost. There is even a step-by-step page spread to help young readers create their own handmade, cozy ghost.
Check this and other spooky titles!
To Knit a Ghost Z.B. Asterplume Illustrated by Heather Brockman Lee Random House Books for Young Readers/Random House Children’s Books Available now!
The Haunted Playground R.J. Palacio Illustrated by Brett Helquist Random House Books for Young Readers/Random House Children’s Books Available now!
Richard Scarry’s Lowly Worm Saves Halloween Richard Scarry Random House Books for Young Readers/Random House Children’s Books Available now!
Scritch! Scratch! An Itchy Witchy Halloween Tale Teri Sloat Illustrated by Zuzana Cupova Random House Books for Young Readers/Random House Children’s Books Available now!
Duck & Goose: Honk! Quack! Boo! Tad Hills Random House Studio/Random House Children’s Books Available now!
Once again, publishers have come in clutch in time for Halloween. Some of these books are cute rather than frightening, but they are fantastic reads nonetheless. Each book’s cover and content’s scariness is measured by ghost emojis. One is the least scary, but four is the most scary. Here are some recommended elementary to middle-grade reads for this spooky season!
Easy Readers and Early Chapter Books
Maud and the Very Eventful Week Lisa Anchin Candlewick Press Published: July 28, 2026 Cover: 👻 Content: 👻 Lisa Anchin’s Maud and the Very Eventful Week follows the week in the life of a little vampire girl named Maud. Maud encounters various shenanigans such as having an enchanted teapot gone wild, ghosts invading her dollhouse, and finding a huge sharp tooth on a walk through the forest. Even making soup with her witch friend, Agnes, has wildly comical results. It culminates in having a weekend yard sale, where all her friends and neighbors stop by and have a splendid time in spite of the crazy week Maud had. Quite cute and charming, fans of cute and quirky stories featuring monsters would love this easy-reader book.
Princess in Black and The Trick-Or-Treating Trouble Shannon and Dean Hale Illustrated by LeUyen Pham Candlewick Press Published: July 7, 2026 Cover: 👻 Content: 👻 Princess Magnolia, aka the Princess in Black, returns in this seasonal installment of the popular transitional book series. On Halloween night, Princess Magnolia is taking a break from handing her world famous candied apples (and fighting monsters) to go trick or treating with her friends. However, she realizes that even monsters don’t take a break from causing mischief for the holidays as a little orange monster is walking around asking people for goats instead of candy, and they even like to eat rocks instead of jellybeans! Happily, everyone is able to compromise so that all the trick-or-treaters, even the orange monster, can have a Happy Halloween. Hilarious, action-packed, and with a hint of surprise, The Princess in Black and the Trick-Or-Treating Trouble is a delightful addition to an entertaining and endearing series.
Jasper’s Creepy Tales!: Unsettling Salad! Aaron Reynolds Illustrated by Peter Brown Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Published: February 3, 2026 Cover: 👻👻👻 Content: 👻👻👻 Aaron Reynolds’ Jasper’s Creepy Tales! came in clutch with two new installments to the series this year. The first new book, Unsettling Salad! centers on two best friends Thaddeus Badger and Oliver Possum, two junk-food fanatics. Things change after Oliver’s parents ambush the boys by having them choose a salad from their favorite fast food joint, Hurt-a-Burger, for dinner instead of the usual 17-patty burger and fries. Oliver turns greener by the day after eating the glowing broccoli, and soon his parents isolate him from the world, feigning illness and punishment to anyone who asks. Thaddeus breaks his friend out. They walk in the light of the full moon, and then things take an even worse turn, putting Thaddeus (and everyone else) in danger possibly forever. Creepy and full of suspense, children might need to take a closer look at their vegetables after reading Jasper’s Creepy Tales!: Unsettling Salad!
Jasper’s Creepy Tales!: Yarn is Everything! Aaron Reynolds Illustrated by Peter Brown Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Published: July 14, 2026 Cover: 👻👻👻 Content: 👻👻👻 If living broccoli in the glowing salad isn’t to your taste, try something a little cosier in Jasper’s Creepy Tales’ Yarn is Everything! This creepy tale stars Winona Mole, who loves crocheting yarn more than anything and anyone in the world. For her ninth birthday, she gets a “replica” of the Spirit Hook, an artifact Winona loves the most in the Museum of Woollen Arts and Yarn Stitchery that mysteriously disappeared soon after Winona and her father left. With the supernatural hook, she is able to crochet everything, even better than the creations contestants make on Yarn is Everything!, Winona’s favorite crocheting game show where people can crochet yarn into anything (even food and objects). After she’s accepted to be on the program, preparing for the competition takes over Winona’s whole house to the point where even her parent’s things are nothing but yarn-woven replicas. When the fateful day does arrive, Winona wants to win so badly that her obsession with it just might be her ultimate undoing. Riveting and unsettling, Jasper’s Creepy Tales!: Yarn is Everything! is one cautionary story that will send shivers down readers’ spines.
Witchycakes: Puddles and Potions (Witchycakes Book 3) Kara LaReau Illustrated by Ariane Moreira Random House Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books Published: February 10, 2026 Cover: 👻 Content: 👻 It’s a chaotic rainy morning before the Spring Festival at the Witchycakes bakery, and Mama Moon has her hands full. Her daughter, young witch-in-training Blue, wants everything in the day to go smoothly and perfectly. When Mama Moon isn’t looking, she takes the “Perfect Potion” without asking. Blue uses it with the new hire, Marlin, and it works like a charm. Blue uses the perfect potion on her delivery to grouchy Ms. Crabbe, but it doesn’t go so well. By the time she tries to use it on the bickering Jellyfish twins, Blue ran out of potion! However, Blue realizes that a perfect day can be possible, even without using magic. Playful and pretty, young readers will be charmed by Blue’s whimsical adventures in using magic responsibly and having fun along the way. There is also an easy recipe for “Seagull Nest Cupcakes” for kids to bake along.
Graphic Novels
Pizza and Taco: Scariest Sleepover Ever! (Pizza and Taco Book 11) Stephen Shaskan RH Graphic, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books Published: July 21, 2026 Cover: 👻 Content: 👻 Pizza and Taco have everything for the perfect sleepover at Taco’s basement: a fantastic playlist, list of fun activities, and their guest and supply list on hand. The only thing they can’t do is watch a scary movie. But that won’t stop the dynamic duo and their sleepover guests from telling ghost stories! The trio of duos, Pizza and Taco, Cookie and Muffin, and Burger and Hotdog, take a turn telling scary tales: three in total. But our main pair of besties aren’t scared of a few little ghost stories, right? Amusing and fun, fans of Pizza and Taco won’t be disappointed with this latest installment of the series.
Jazzy the Witch in Friends Fiasco (Jazzy the Witch Book 2) Jessixa Bagley Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Published: July 14, 2026 Cover: 👻 Content: 👻 Bikes are now all the rage in Jazzy the Witch’s town, and she is more than happy to teach her friends, neighbors, and family about the fun of cycling. Then a mysterious and cool newcomer, Estrella, and her family stroll into town. She impresses everyone with her bike and book skills, making Jazzy and her bookworm bestie Aggie jealous. The two witch friends are determined to knock Estrella down a few pegs. A few acts of sabotage turn into an all-out prank war between the pair and the new girl, which gets so intense that it has Jazzy questioning her own actions. Eventually, Jazzy and Aggie have an epiphany that perhaps there’s more than enough room for more intelligent and awesome witches in the neighborhood after all. Delightfully drawn, Jazzy the Witch in Friend Fiasco will enchant readers with its sublime story on navigating new friendships. It will also please fans of the first book and will have them chomping at the bit at what magical mayhem Jazzy’s next misadventure will bring.
Blood City Rollers: Move It or Bruise It (Blood City Rollers Book 2) V.P. Anderson Illustrated by Tatiana Hill RH Graphic, an imprint of Random House Children’s Publishing Published: January 20, 2026 Cover: 👻👻 Content: 👻👻 Mina and Swan have no idea where their Blood City Roller Derby (BCRD) vampire friends settled after being evicted from their old hideout. However, the Vampires find them and bring their human friends to their new home: an abandoned asylum with zombies in the basement. Just as the Vamps and Bats are ready to practice, a new team, the Wheelers, crashes their place and wants the new roller rink for themselves. The only way to settle this feud is a Sudden Death Scrimmage Match. With things falling apart at home, her friendship with Swan hitting the rocks, and not performing her best, Mina is unsure she’ll keep her place on the BCRD. After talking with both team coaches, Mina is determined to fix things one step at a time, including the feud between the roller teams. Blood City Rollers: Move It or Bruise It is a funky graphic novel that will have readers laughing and empathizing with our spooky band of heroes.
Through the Black Gate Alfredo Caceres Atheneum, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Published: June 30, 2026 Cover: 👻👻👻 Content: 👻👻👻 Irene, an orphan trying to figure out the ins and outs of the magical book her parents left for her, and Francis, a young aspiring musician, try to find Irene’s cat, Moses, who Irene believes to be her father’s soul trapped inside the cat’s body. He had just escaped from Francis’s aunt Ruth’s hostel, where Irene was staying, and ran off to near the scene of the accident that killed Irene’s parents. When the children find Moses, Francis plays his song, the cat starts glowing, and a portal to another realm opens. Soon the children find themselves in a domain between the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead: the In-Between. It also becomes apparent that their presence catalyzes (in part) all sorts of chaos and corruption in the realm. Working together, the unlikely friends Francis and Irene find closure with their deceased loved ones, and they help restore balance between the worlds. A moving story on processing grief through a supernatural and magical quest, Through the Black Gate will tug at readers’ heartstrings and either be unnerved or amazed by the In-Between’s freakish outlandish environment and inhabitants.
Stitch Head: The Pirate’s Eye: The Graphic Novel (Stitch Head Book 2) Guy Bass Illustrated by Pete Williamson RH Graphic, an imprint of Random House Children’s Publishing Published: July 21, 2026 Cover: 👻👻👻 Content: 👻👻 The title character is friendlier than he looks on the cover of this graphic novel adaptation of the chapter book series of the same name. Stitch Head, the caretaker of over 300 monsters, is tending to his master’s creations as usual when a mysterious letter arrives. His master, the Mad Professor Erasmus, is invited to receive a special award, and he leaves his laboratory. With nothing else to do, Stitch Head’s friends, Creature and Arabella, suggest they take inspiration from The Daring Diary of Dash Flashpowder and become a pirate. As Stitch Head finds himself a ship, a crew, and even a trusty critter companion, Pox the monkey-bat, he finds out the letter sent to his master was a cunning ruse made by Stitch Head’s arch nemesis, Fulbert Freakfinder. It’ll be up to Stitch Head and his plucky, janky crew of creatures plus human girl to save the day. Stitch Head: The Pirate’s Eye will entertain readers with the comedic and awesome action and dialogue as well as characters drawn with the very wide-eyed gothic heroines homaging a Tim Burton-esque style to captivate them into this frightful adventure at sea.
Chapter Books & Middle Grade Novels
Monsters of Fife Book 2: Terror Birds By Jane Yolen Illustrated by Celia Lowenthal Charlesbridge Moves, an imprint of Charlesbridge Published: July 14, 2026 Cover: 👻👻 Content: 👻👻 The Royal & Ancient Monster Hunters are back facing another monster terrorizing the town of Fife. Seven months after their encounter with the sea dragon, Cat, Jaime, Callum, and Mr. Harris find themselves at odds with prehistoric birds the size of houses. Jaime’s father calls them the “terror birds” in his studies, and his nickname isn’t unfounded as their presence is threatening the Scottish town. With help from Cat’s new Black Hound, Soot, the gang must band together to save the town from the monsters in the sky. Full of startling close calls with danger, fans of the late Jane Yolen will enjoy the action-packed and charming Monsters of Fife Book 2: Terror Birds. This book also features graphic novel inserts and illustrations epically drawn by Celia Lowenthal.
Little Bones By Sandy Bigna Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Published: July 14, 2026 Cover: 👻👻 Content: 👻👻 Eleven-year-old Bones wants nothing to do with anyone since her brother Nico’s unexpected death, but everything changes when she accidentally resurrects a baby bird skeleton under the full moon. She names him Bird. Bird wants to return to the way he was before, but Bones doesn’t know how to reverse the curse. To find the remedy, Bones reluctantly allows her neighbor, Terry, the chatty trash-digging new kid on the block, to help research how to break Bird’s curse. They soon discover Bones would need to make a wish during the next full moon to set Bird’s soul free. However, at the same time, Bones grows attached to Bird and doesn’t want him to leave. Just as time is about to run out, Bones eventually lets Bird go and allows her guilt and sadness that she held since Nico’s death to be released as well. Heartbreaking and emotionally grounded, Little Bones, a novel told in verse, will get readers emotionally invested in Bones finding closure in grief and breaking readers’ hearts.
Arthur Blackwood Scary Stories for Kids Who Like Scary Stories Volume 1 By A.M. Luzzader Sourcebooks Wonderland, an imprint of Sourcebooks Kids Published: August 4, 2026 Cover: 👻👻👻 Content:👻👻👻 If readers enjoy Alvin Schwartz’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps, then Arthur Blackwood is the series for them. Arthur Blackwood invites readers into his lair to share with them his ever-growing collection of scary stories well assured to give whoever hears them bone chills! He turns down the light and invites the reader (you) to the edge of his fireplace, the best place for sharing such horrifying and weird tales. Once the reader ignores or accepts his warning, Blackwood tells eight grisly tales from various objects lying about on his second floor office, like a stuffed tarantula, a black iron suit of armor, and the crystal ball. Uncanny and peculiar, the stories and black-and-white freaky illustrations featured in Arthur Blackwood Scary Stories for Kids Who Like Scary Stories Vol 1 will haunt and horrify whoever chooses to read this book.
Sprout Taylor Tyng Random House Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books Published: March 24, 2026 Cover: 👻 👻 Content:👻👻👻👻 Scarlet Posy Rose Oleander Ursinia Thistle Sprowder, or Sprout for short, spent most of her life hidden away in fear of what others would say if they saw the antlers growing on her head. Then she reads a story in The Clipper, the local paper, concerning a sighting of another person with antlers, just like Sprout. She decides to escape hiding and seek the mystery person out. In her search, she finds and befriends another societal oddball, E.B. Shaw, a son of the local billionaire, who also has a special interest in cupcakes and has ‘wandering episodes.’ As they search for the mysterious antlered person, Sprout and E.B. quickly realize something more sinister is afoot. Dr. Leo Penzig and his minions are on the hunt for antlered people as well, to study and experiment on them. Sprout, E.B., and Tess, the antlered person featured in The Clipper, are determined to foil the doctor’s insidious plot by uncovering the dark and dreadful secrets that plagued Tolsbury. Perhaps in doing so, the trio will get the chance to live out in the open instead of in confinement. Taylor Tyng brings intense scenes guaranteed to terrify readers to their core, but the main character’s newfound optimism, though often tested, is contagious. Sprout is a heavy but hopeful read about finding not only the courage to be true to one’s self but also friendships that can help overcome perilous dilemmas and extraordinary challenges.
Fear Files: Hide and Seek (Fear Files Book 1) By Christopher Edge Candlewick Press Published: July 14, 2026 Cover: 👻👻👻👻 Content:👻👻👻 Adam was having a terrible time at his outdoor sleepover with his best friend, Sol, and then the two friends stumbled on Apodidraskinda, a ghost town in the middle of the woods. An innocent game of hide and seek turns dangerous when Adam finds a group of children desperately hiding from a looming, shadowy figure known as the “Itter.” If he finds someone, that person is swallowed up in his shadow and is later recruited to find the others still in hiding. All versions of “hide-and-seek” are played at once, and the game doesn’t end until one person remains. Now it’s a race against time and the shadows as Adam tries to survive the deadly game and find Sol. The post-it note commentary from the Fear Files team interspersed in Adam’s narrative and pieces of encyclopedia entries, newspaper clippings, and random transcriptions left by the “Itter” resemble an investigative atmosphere to this middle-grade chapter book. Full of suspense and thrilling action, Fear Files: Hide and Seek will have readers hanging at the edge of their seats, waiting to see if Adam will get out of his predicament alive.
Sheba the Alley Cat Lauren Fornoles Illustrated by Natalia Gubanova Little Leaflet Press Ages: 4+ Available: October 6, 2026
When Sheba, a black cat, sees a job opening in the Meow Times for a ‘friend and travel companion’ for Hilda Broomwick (who seems nice and is totally not a witch), she finds an opportunity to see the world outside her humdrum alley. She packs her things and makes her way to the address listed in the paper: a house covered in cobwebs and has only one lit window. Despite her lack of travel experience, Sheba’s enthusiasm and bone-collecting skills might land her the job of a lifetime. Natalia Gubanova’s use of dark blue sky, pumpkins outside Hilda’s house, bats flying all over the place, and Hilda’s overall witchy appearance create a gentle Halloween theme. The hand-drawn look of Gubanova’s digital illustrations and muted colors generate a serene and charming atmosphere. Lauren Fornoles’s positive phrasing about Sheba’s excitement for the job complements Gubanova’s cute-spooky drawings. When Sheba reads “Welcome” near the front door, she fails to see the bottom text that reads, “if you dare,” creating depth to the story’s humor. The underlying message of being appreciated for one’s unique traits adds an emotional layer to the otherwise whimsical text. Sheba feels discouraged when she tells Hilda she hasn’t had a lot of travel experience. However, when Hilda mentions she needs special bones for her spells, Sheba realizes she can make a personal contribution, and her confidence returns stronger than ever. In short, Sheba the Alley Cat is a sweet seasonal story with a dash of social emotional learning, great for a Halloween collection or story time.
Halloween is just around the corner, and here at the Butler Center, we’ve been getting ready to celebrate with lots of fun, Halloween-themed books! We have lots of new books about Halloween and other spooky stories to share, including Five Little Ghosts, written by Lily Murray and illustrated by holly Surplice. In this story, five little ghosts go out one day and wander off. As they journey, readers can lift flaps in the pages to find little ghostlings in pumpkin patches, playgrounds, and the forest. As the ghostlings leave one by one, Mama Ghost becomes sad. She searches far and wide for her ghostlings and out they jump from a pile of leaves, ready to surprise Mama Ghost with a spooky tea party! Murray’s rhymes draw the reader in for a fun counting game, and Surplice’s illustrations add charm and whimsy to the ghostlings’ adventures. The interactive elements of the books creates an engaging and delightful storytime experience!
Check out more spooky books below!
A Bite Above the Rest Written by Christine Virnig Published by Aladdin Available now
Five Little Ghosts Written by Lily Murray Illustrated by Holly Surplice Published by Candlewick Press Available now
Hungry Bones Written by Louise Hung Published by Scholastic Press Available now
It’s Not Easy Being a Ghost Written by Marilyn Sadler Illustrated by Steph Laberis Published by Random House Children’s Books Available now
Spooky Little Halloween: A Finger Wiggle Book Written by Sally Symes Illustrated by Nick Sharratt Published by Candlewick Press Available now
Whether sweet and silly or downright terrifying, ghosts and ghouls of all ages enjoy a good spooky story. And publishers did not disappoint this Halloween season, covering the gambit from gentle introductions to Halloween traditions to dark and twisty tales of the occult. So pick your favorite candy, pour yourself a mug of cider, and settle in for a read at your preferred level of spooky.
BOARD BOOKS: For the youngest ghosties!
The Monsters on the Broom By Annemarie Riley Guertin Illustrated by Shauna Lynn Panczyszyn Simon & Schuster/Little Simon July 2022 0-3
A group of young monsters delight in a midnight flight in this bouncy Halloween celebration to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus.” A rich and moody color scheme perfectly captures the feel of a crisp fall evening. Cheerful little monsters tour their town by broom, on die cut pages that build as they explore, leading up to a group ride and wishes for a “Happy Halloween!”
Halloween is a Treat! By Sabrina Moyle Illustrator Eunice Moyle Abrams/Appleseed July 2022 0-3
More sweet than spooky, this detail packed little book includes all the most fun Halloween traditions—costumes, candy, jack-o’-lanterns, and more! A gentle rhyme weaves together the various holiday amusements for little cats (and kids) to enjoy. Busy pages full of neon orange highlights may even include some Halloween costume inspiration.
PICTURE BOOKS: Choose your favorite—sweet or spooky?
Happy Owl-Oween! By Laura Gehl Illustrated by Lydia Nichols Abrams/Appleseed July 2022 3-5
Owlet friends partake in all the Halloween traditions their neighborhood has to offer. Simple text, a sweet rhyme, and vibrant geometric illustrations combine to gently introduce the less-than-scary side of the holiday, helping owls of all ages to get into the spirit. Gehl includes an author’s note explaining the origins of many Halloween traditions, but it’s a bit sophisticated for all but the most precocious kindergarteners.
If Your Babysitter is a Bruja By Ana Siqueira Illustrated by Irena Freitas Simon & Schuster August 2022 3-6
A new babysitter might spell big trouble for a mischievous girl with an oversized imagination. Imagining her parents left her with a witch turns an ordinary evening into a magical Halloween adventure of broomsticks, bubbling caldrons, and ghostly castles. Spanish words and phrases are incorporated throughout, yet easily interpreted in context. Vibrant and exaggerated illustrations and inventive text combine for a unique and whimsical addition to Halloween book collections.
The Most Haunted House in America By Jarrett Dapier Illustrated by Lee Gatlin Abrams August 2022 4-8
Invited by the First Lady to play at the White House Halloween celebration, the Skeleton Drummers answer the call, entertaining both the living and the long-dead with their spooky tunes. Even when they are scared silly themselves, the show must go on, and the band plays ‘til dawn. Sepia tones mute the illustrations, adding age and mood to the images, and enhancing the drama of the event. Smiling skeletons and rhyming text tempers what could be a scarier picture book tale. An author’s note includes some of the most popular ghost stories told about the White House as well as the author’s experience playing the drums for White House Halloween party dressed as a skeleton.
Middle Grade: Just the right amount of scare factor!
Crimson Twill: Witch in the City By Kallie George Illustrated by Birgitta Sif Candlewick July 2022 7-9
Who says witches need to be spooky? Perhaps all they have to be is themselves. A trip to the big city department store—Broomingdale’s—is Crimson’s change to find just what she needs. Maybe a cat or a new hat, if she can find one that suits her. What she finds instead are friends that like her just the way she is—unique. Reminiscent of The Worst Witch in tone and language, with lovely black and white illustrations, this sweet chapter book is full of charm and charms.
Bunnicula: The Graphic Novel By James Howe and Andrew Donkin Illustrated by Stephen Gilpin Based on the 1979 novel by Deborah and James Howe Simon and Shuster/Atheneum August 2022 8-12
Harold the dog and Chester the cat must contend with a new pet in the Monroe family home, a peculiar bunny who just might be a vampire. Chester, with Harold as trusty sidekick, investigates just what’s making all the vegetables in the house white and juiceless. And just how their new roommate might be responsible. A graphic adaptation of the original story, the varied layout and muted color scheme uphold the melodramatic nature of the novel, while keeping just the right amount of humor to keep things light.
August of the Zombie (Zombie Problems Book 3) By K.G. Campbell Knopf January 2022 8-12
August DuPont has an unusual, and undead, problem—he attracts zombies. And what started as one sidekick has turned into a horde. In the final installment of this trilogy, he must finally find the Zombie Stone to lay his followers and some family secrets to rest. Moody, yet humorous, illustrations provide levity and show the zombies to be more ridiculous than ravenous. Quirky and clever, a delightful middle grade introduction to supernatural stories.
Wildseed Witch By Marti Dumas Abrams/Amulet May 2022 10-14
One fit of temper and Hasani goes from a summer of fun and family (drama) to a premier finishing school for witches to hone her newfound abilities. But being the newcomer isn’t easy, especially when everyone else grew up in a magical family, and you’re starting from scratch. Dumas has created an alternative New Orleans, with all the charm and spirit of the original, and an additional spark of magic. Perfect for Harry Potter fans who will cheer for this determined and charismatic heroine of color. A tribute to learning your own balance between fitting in and standing out, and how to most gracefully be yourself.
Young Adult: From a hint of magic to downright scary!
Fraternity By Andy Mientus Abrams/Amulet September 2022 13+
Scandal sends Zooey Orson from his New York high school to an all-boys boarding school full of secrets, secret societies, and not-so-secret biases. He is taken in by the Vicious Circle, a group of gay students that become his found family in their fight against very human and supernatural secrets, and an occult text that could destroy them all. Set against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis, this story of brotherhood and belonging combines episodes of LGBTQ history with paranormal thrills.
The Monarchs By Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige Harper Collins/Clarion January 2022 14+
The most popular sorority on campus hides many secrets—the rules of sisterhood, details of the death of their past president, and that they are actually a powerful coven of witches. New president Scarlett and new student Vivi balance schoolwork, love interests, and battling the ancient forces of evil in this sequel to The Ravens. An atmospheric college setting and emotionally charged relationships between the sisters add substance to this fast-paced and action-packed duology closer.
Spells for Lost Things By Jenna Evans Welch Simon and Schuster September 2022 12+
Willow’s mom dragged her to Salem to sort out a family inheritance. Mason is in Salem with a foster care placement. And they both want to be nearly anywhere else. Drawn together by the mystery of Willow’s family history, they are kept together by a growing connection. YA romance with a dash of witchcraft combine for a charming story of finding family and finding yourself. Welch weaves in the thread of wanderlust that ties all her novels together, with Willow and Mason exploring all the lore and kitsch Salem, Massachusetts have to offer as they learn about life, family ties, and each other.
Are the little monsters in your library looking for not-so-spooky reads this season? Whether they want witches, ghosts, or some trick-or-treating fun—there’s a book for that! And check out Gustavo for a sweet Dia De Los Muertos ghost story.
Board Books:
Brooms Are for Flying Michael Rex Henry Holt/Godwin Books July 2020
In this board book adaptation, follow a little witch and her trick-or-treating friends as they dance through this introduction to traditional Halloween characters and symbols. A sweet treat.
Trick-or-Treat with Tow Truck Joe June Sobel, illustrated by Patrick Corrigan Houghton Mifflin Harcourt July 2020
Tow Truck Joe and his buddies are all dressed up for Halloween and ready to trick-or-treat, bob for apples, and have a frightfully-fun night on the town. Surprises under each flap are more friendly than scary, showing that even pirates and dragons can help a friend in need. A sweet treat.
Picture Books:
Monsters 101 Cale Atkinson Random House/Doubleday August 2020
Everything you ever wanted to know about monsters and more! You’ll learn from top monster professors about monster names, habits, diet, history, and even their biggest fears—humans! A silly and spooky trick.
Gustavo the Shy Ghost Flavia Z. Drago Candlewick July 2020 Available in Spanish as Gustavo el Fantasmita Timido
Gustavo is shy and has a hard time making friends. In fact, the other ghosts and monsters see right through him. But he is also brave and invites them all to a Day of the Dead party to hear him play the violin. By sharing his talent he makes friends just by being himself. A sweet treat.
Bears and Boos Shirley Parenteau, illustrated by David Walker Candlewick July 2020
The bears are back and ready to create the perfect Halloween costumes. Chaos at the costume box ensues as the bears scramble for the perfect costumes. With one left out, the bears show their trademark kindness to outfit their friend just in time for the Halloween parade. A sweet treat.
I love Halloween, and I love things that are creepy…but oddly enough I don’t like to be scared. Haunted houses? Forget it! So it’s no wonder that I’ve fallen in love with Ghost in the House written by Ammi-Joan Paquette and illustrated by Adam Record. This is a haunted house I’d actually like to visit.
The story starts off on a black page with the simple exclamation “Boo!” On the next page a ghost appears—the most adorable ghost you’ve ever seen (yes, even more than Casper). This structure continues, enunciating the creepy sounds the house makes and breaking tension with a collection of friendly creatures: a mummy, a monster, a skeleton, and a witch. Finally the creatures stumble upon something that really frightens them—a human boy.
This book somehow manages to maintain the traditional eeriness we associate with haunted houses, which includes striped wall paper, creaking stairs, and shadows at every turn. Yet its full of bright and contrasting colors. The creatures themselves are vibrant, even as they wander down dark and gray hallways. You might even wonder what this cheery bunch is doing in such a spooky place.
I love how simply and effectively the illustrations reflect the text. Two eyes on a black background and the ghost’s worried expression reveal the characters’ unease. Possibly my favorite page features the human boy, with a wide-eyed look that conveys his bafflement. As the creatures run away, the boy looks straight at the reader and shrugs, as if to say, “What can you do?”
As you’re visiting haunted houses, or perhaps haunting them yourself, “on this dark, spooky night,” it’s always good to remember that there isn’t a creature scarier than a human. Have a Happy Halloween!
Ghost in the House
