Thrilling Tales Full of Tricks and Treats
At A Grade Ahead, it is finally fall! While our programs run year-round, we know that this time of year can be a time of great excitement, with the start of fun holiday celebrations for many. With school in full swing and temperatures cooling, it can be a great time to think of ways to keep your child engaged with indoor activities such as recommended reading for Halloween. In the spirit of the season, why not try one of these spooky reads the next time you a looking for a haunting time?
Are you wanting even more when it comes to education for your child? A Grade Ahead offers educational enrichment classes in both English and math. Call or visit an academy near you to get a free curriculum sample, take a free assessment, or sign up for a free trial class today!
Halloween Reading Recommendations for 4-7 Year Olds
Gustavo, the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago follows Gustavo the ghost. He is good at so many things, but he is also very shy, and he realizes that other monsters can’t see him. The Day of the Dead is approaching, and Gustavo is wondering what he can do to get noticed and share his interests with others. Will he be successful?
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler is fun for the whole family. While a witch and her cat are enjoying a ride on her broom, the wind blows several of her items away! With help from a few animal friends, she retrieves her belongings, but all of the helpers want a chance to ride the broom as well. Will there be “room on the broom”?
Stumpkin by Lucy Ruth Cummins is a book all about Stumpkin the pumpkin, a very good-looking pumpkin who dreams of becoming a Jack O’Lantern. He has so many great qualities, but he has one problem: he has a stump instead of a stem. Will anyone pick Stumpkin and give him a chance to live his dream?
The Witch’s Cat and the Cooking Catastrophe by Kirstie Watson and illustrated by Magdalena Sawko explores the adventure of a witch’s cat on the day he discovers an old cookbook. What will happen when the cat decides to try out his chef skills and surprise the witch with a great meal?
Did you know that A Grade Ahead offers programs for children in Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and 1st grade?
Halloween Reading Recommendations for 8-12 Year Olds
The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs and illustrated by Edward Gorey is the first in a series of John Bellairs mysteries (a total of 12 books!). Join orphan Lewis Barnavelt when he goes to live with his uncle Jonathan. Expecting the everyday, Lewis couldn’t be more wrong, as he discovers both his uncle and their next-door neighbor, Mrs. Zimmerman, are magicians!
The Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark collection by Alvin Schwartz and illustrated by Stephen Gammell is a collection of three books. I had a hard time recommending just one, but you can certainly acquire them individually (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark; More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark; Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones). These books are beloved for a reason: full of short, spooky stories and equally chilling illustrations. Which story will you think is the most spine chilling?
Small Spaces by Katherine Arden is the first book in a series of 4. Join Ollie, an 11-year-old girl who has suffered a tragic loss and now finds comfort in books. Imagine her surprise when she comes into possession of a strange storybook, and the following day on a field trip stumbles upon the graves of the very people she had been reading about! Add to this a sinister message from a bus driver, and you have the beginnings of a very creepy adventure.
The Thief of Always by Clive Barker is an enchanting book that tells the story of Harvey, a 10-year-old boy who, while very bright, is also very bored. That is, until he meets a creature who takes him to a special place where fun never ends, and it is Christmas every night.
A Grade Ahead may be the perfect fit for your elementary school student. We offer programs for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students!
Halloween Reading Recommendations for 13+
Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs is for those who have kept up with past years’ recommendations! This is the 3rd in the Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series. Continue the adventure that began in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and continued with Hollow City. Meet up once again with Jacob and friends as he discovers a new ability and fights for the fate of all peculiar children!
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness follows Conor, who has been having the same dream nightly since his mother fell ill. Now, he awakes to find a strange and ancient visitor at his window. What does it want, and will Conor be able to deliver?
Practical Rules for Cursed Witches by Kayla Cottingham brings cozier Halloween vibes, telling the story of Delilah Bea. Delilah comes from a long line of magic. Unfortunately, all of the women in her family are cursed to never find true love. After completing her training, Delilah sets out with a plan to break the family curse, but will she be successful?
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson takes place at the large yet old estate of sisters Constance and Mary Katherine. The people of their town shun them, believing one of the sisters to have committed a terrible crime. But, what is the truth?
A Grade Ahead does not forget about our older students, offering programs for those in 7th grade, 8th grade, and high school!
What do you think? What are your favorite Halloween reads? Have you read any of these already? If so, what did you think? We would love to hear from you in the comments!
Looking for even more? Why not check out fall reading recommendations from 2024 and 2023? You can also explore the history of Trick or Treat in this blog post.
Author: Emily Karth, Curriculum Manager at A Grade Ahead
