By Tasneem Daud, Youth Librarian and Joanna Harris, Joanna Harris, Teen Services Coordinator, D.C. Public Library
Summon the Halloween spirit to your home with this selection of spooky reads, both new and old.
Picture Books
“Room on the Broom”
by Julia Donaldson and Axel Schleffler
This is a classic tale told in rhyme about a witch and her familiar cat flying through the sky on their broomstick and making animal friends along the way. When an unexpected event threatens their journey, they all come together to save the witch who brought them together. A whimsical tale of teamwork and inclusivity, and a perfect blend of Halloween magic!
“Stumpkin”
by Lucy Ruth Cummins
In a cheerful city shop filled with bright pumpkins, one stands out: Stumpkin. With a missing stump (and as Halloween draws closer), Stumpkin wonders if anyone will choose him. This book is a sweet tale with themes of inclusivity and diversity, and a gentle, spooky vibe.
Early Readers
“Halloween Howls: Holiday Poetry”
by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illustrated by Stacey Schuett
This collection of easy-to-read rhyming poems is all about Halloween. Early readers can build anticipation for the holiday with poems about carving pumpkins, picking out a costume and, of course, trick-or-treating.
“Vampoodle”
by Joan Holub
Vampoodle and her puppy pals are having a great time hanging out together the night of Halloween. But when a bunch of children arrive in their costumes, the dogs get scared and hide. “Vampoodle” is a fun book for early readers who love dogs.
Middle Grade
“Blood in the Water”
by Tiffany D. Jackson.
The queen of horror and suspense in young adult fiction makes her middle grade debut with this brand-new murder mystery. Twelve-year-old Kaylani McKinnon is determined to prove that her incarcerated father is actually innocent, but her efforts are waylaid by her mother sending her to spend the summer with family friends in Martha’s Vineyard. However, Kaylani’s self-taught sleuthing skills come in handy when a body is found in the water. Locals are quick to dismiss it as a shark attack, but Kaylani is out to prove otherwise. Readers can expect a page-turning mystery with a smart, relatable protagonist and pointed commentary on classicism.
“A Bite Above the Rest”
by Christine Virnig
Caleb moves to Samhain, a Halloween-themed town, and he experiences culture shock as early as the first day of school, where everyone is dressed up in a costume. Caleb quickly learns that Halloween isn’t just a day in this town — it’s a whole lifestyle. And it might not all be just make believe. Is the mayor of the town an actual vampire? This novel is the ideal pick for young readers who are hardcore Halloween enthusiasts, offering a fun and often comical fantasy world where Halloween is every day. This book, which shows promise to become a series, is the modern-day successor to the “Bailey School Kids.”
Young Adult
“The Darkest Part of the Forest”
by Holly Black
In this atmospheric dark fairy tale, Holly Black introduces the small town of Fairfold, where humans and faeries coexist. But the harmony in Fairfold is shadowed by the mystery of a glass coffin in the forest encasing a horned fae boy. His sudden awakening sets off a chain of events, revealing long-buried secrets that force protagonist Hazel to confront her past. This dark romantic fantasy is filled with mystery and intrigue and is perfect for teens who love eerie atmospheres and morally complex characters.
“Anna Dressed in Blood”
by Kendare Blake
A spellbinding blend of horror and romance, this novel tells the story of Cas, a teen ghosthunter, who falls in love with a ghost. Anna is unlike any spirit he’s ever encountered — though she’s killed many who dare cross her path, Cas finds himself pitying her in her trapped state. She spares his life when she could have easily killed him as she has others. Cas can’t bring himself to vanquish her as he’s been hired to do and finds himself drawn to her and her plight. This book offers a chilling tale warmed by an unusual love connection.
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