To continue our monthly series of book lists for youth, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library would like to recommend the following titles.
October, 2007 -- Books for Hallowe'en
The Man Who Tricked a Ghost by Lawrence Yep. Sung constantly bragged that he was afraid of nothing, so one dark night on a lonely road, a ghost decides to teach him a lesson – but Sung is very clever and soon learns a few tricks that surprise even the ghost! P-2. Cassette book RC 41176.
Pumpkin Eye by Denise Fleming. Simple rhymes describe the sights, sounds, and smells of Halloween. 5/8” and larger text great for Large Print readers. P-2. Print/braille book BR 14012.
Dorrie and the Screebit Ghost by Patricia Coombs. Angry when her mother, headed for a séance, leaves her behind, Dorrie, the little witch, conjures up a mischievous ghost that causes no end of trouble. K-3. Cassette book RC 18385.
It's Halloween by Jack Prelutsky. Thirteen humorous poems about ghosts, witches, jack-o-lanterns, trick-or-treating, and other Halloween happenings. 3/8” font is standard Large Print. K-3. Print/braille book BR 5459.
Six Creepy Sheep by Judith Ross Enderle. Brief rhyming text relates the adventures of six sheep who go trick-or-treating on Halloween night. 3/8” font is standard size Large Print. K-3. Print/braille book BRC 271.
Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve by Mary Pope Osborne. This time their magic tree house takes Jack and Annie back to King Arthur's realm where invisible beings, giant ravens, and haunted spells have put a duke's castle in an uproar on Halloween night. #30 in the Magic Tree House series. Grades 2-4. Braille book BR 14933. Cassette book RC 57233.
Horrible Harry at Hallowe'en by Suzy Kline. Miss Mackle's 3rd-grade class is excited about their Halloween costumes. Remembering all of Harry's scary costumes since kindergarten, they want to know what he'll be this year, but Harry keeps it a secret and surprises everyone! #7 in the Horrible Harry series. Grades 2-4. Braille book BR 13295. Cassette book RC 51512.
Nate the Great and the Halloween Hunt by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat. Detective Nate takes a break from handing out Halloween candy to look for his friend Rosamond's cat, Little Hex. After searching a haunted house, Nate realizes where Little Hex must be. Grades 2-4. Braille book BR 12832. Large print book LP 14026.
Diane Goode's Book Of Scary Stories And Songs edited by Diane Goode. Collection of stories, poems, and songs featuring ghosts and goblins, giants and ghouls, and other scary characters -- some as silly as they are frightening. Grades 3-6. Cassette book RC 44407.
Halloween Howls: Riddles That are a Scream by Guilio Maestro. Collection of Halloween humor featuring vampire, mummies, and other creepy favorites. Grades 3-6. Braille book BR 5696. Cassette book RC 21632.
Third Grade Ghouls by Colleen O'Shaughnessy McKenna. Third-grader Gordie worries about coming up with a scary costume for the school Halloween parade and about having to protect a timid younger boy. Grades 3-6. Large print book LP 18434.
Bernie Magruder and the Bats in the Belfry by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. In Mrs. Scuttlefoot's will, she requested that the church tower bells ring hourly 24 hours a day. Now as Halloween approaches, some dangerous bats have taken up residence there. Bernie Magruder is determined to discover what's going on. Edgar Award. #8 in the Bernie Magruder series. Grades 4-7. Cassette book RC 58518.
The Halloween Party by E. A. M. Jacab. This Halloween party seems to be chaperoned by a witch and it's getting out of hand! Reader's choices determine how the story proceeds in this series. #5 in the Choose Your Own Nightmare series. Grades 4-7. Large Print book LP 12991.
Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth by E. L. Konigsburg. On Halloween night, Elizabeth, a lonely new student, meets Jennifer, who claims to be a master witch. The two girls become friends, practice chants and spells, but have a falling out when Jennifer wants to put their pet toad in a potion. Grades 4-7. Braille book BRW 317. Cassette book RC 44792. Large print book LP 19452.
Sammy Keyes and the Skeleton Man by Wendelin Van Draanen. Halloween turns scary for 7th -grader Sammy and two girlfriends when a skeleton rushes by them near a creepy house. The front door opens and they find something burning and a masked man tied to a chair. Now Sammy has a mystery to solve. Grades 4-7. Braille book BRW 1046. Cassette book RC 49112.
The Ghost Belonged to Me by Richard Peck. In 1913, an unlikely foursome travel the Mississippi having humorous adventures that include exploding steamboats, a prophetic ghost, and an "exorcism." Precedes Ghosts I Have Been (RC 56480). Grades 5-8. Cassette book RC 56479. Large print book LP 12712.
The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury. The famous science fiction writer writes a tale of eight boys who arrange to meet their friend at a haunted house on Halloween night, but before they arrive he's grabbed by a dark Something. Grades 5-8. Cassette book BR 12863.
The Haunted House by Francine Pascal. Everyone knows that the Mercandy mansion is haunted, so when Nora Mercandy moves in rumors fly that she's a witch. However, Elizabeth likes her and is determined solve the mystery of the mansion and clear her new friend's name. #3 in the Sweet Valley Twins series. Grades 5-8. Large Print book LP 8100.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving . The local teacher is in love with Katrina, but his rival is the town bully. Cruel taunts and a spooky legend combine to decide his fate. This classic short story is great for Halloween. Grade 6 and up. Cassette book RC 16731 (or San Souci version RC29632). Large Print book LP 1210 (includes Rip Van Winkle) or LP 17452 (includes many of Irving 's short stories).
Thomas and the Warlock by Mollie Hunter. Thomas thinks he can poach in the Warlock's woods despite the dangers. He's even been able to break some of the witch's spells. But can he rescue his wife after the Warlock seeks revenge by kidnapping her in on Halloween? Grade 6 and up. Cassette book RC 33633.
To order these books and others like these, use the link to the "On-line Catalog (OPAC)" at www.wtbbl.org. Order these books or use keyword search or subject search to find more like these. You can limit your search by reading level and/or material format.
Link to previous Recommended Reads.