I am not by definition a scaredy-cat, but I do like to sleep at night. So, I avoid reading thrillers with zombies or other creatures that lurk in dark quiet places waiting to ‘get-cha’. However, I am intrigued by the super-natural and I love suspense. To put it in perspective, I’d say “no thank you” to a 3-minute roller coaster that twists and turns me upside down, but I’d tingle in an hour-long line for the 1/16^th of a second fright provided by

the Tower of Terror.       With that in mind, enjoy this list of Great Halloween Reads put together with the help of several local librarians and booksellers.

 FOR THE LITTLE ONES

Pete the Cat: Five Little Pumpkins — James Dean’s popular character presents the classic children’s song in this 2015 release. Highly recommended both online and by a local librarian as a new favorite.

Scaredy-Cat, Splat! By Rob Scotton is delightfully funny.

Monster Needs A Costume from the series by Paul Czajak. My personal favorite because I love Monster and Paul’s remarkable rhymes.

Room on the Broom a new release by Julia Donaldson looks like a winner too.

Scary Scary Halloween by Eve Bunting, I haven’t experienced but I’m hearing it is a great read a-loud with nothing scary about it.

Other mentions:

In a Dark Dark Room and Other Scary Stories by Alvin Schwartz

Hallo-wiener by Dav Pilkey

Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds (Peter Brown Illustrations)

Froggy’s Halloween Jonathan London’s popular Froggy has delighted children in over twenty tales.

Skeleton Hiccups by Margery Cuyler

10 Trick-or-Treaters by Janet Schulman

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams

Goodnight Goon by Michael Rex a fun parody of a children’s classic.

Slightly Older:

Even Monsters Need Haircuts by Matt McElligott

 MIDDLE GRADE

 Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alain Schwartz (disclaimer: included in Banned Book week BUT recommended by all three professionals in this age category).

If you really want to be scared read The Best of John Bellairs books which have been described as SCARY – SUSPENSEFUL – THRILLING – NOT FOR THE TIMID. (Note: Bellairs has written several YA titles as well.)

    The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman – 2010 Newbury Award

Goosebumps Series by R. L. Stine, always classic. Also a major motion picture.

A Curious Tale of the In-Between by Lauren Destafano a 2015 release described as lyrical, evocative, and incredibly well done.

Other Mentions:

The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier a 2015 release.

The Best Halloween Ever by Barbara Robinson

Magic Treehouse #30 – Haunted Castle on Hallow’s Eve by Mary Pope Osborne

The Witches by Ronald Dahl. Also a major motion picture from 1990.

Doll Bones a 2015 release by Holly Black

TWEENS

The Last Apprentice by Joseph Delaney is NOT on MY list to read. However, I am told if you want to be terrified, read this series of 13 books. The last of which, Seventh Son, was a 2014 major motion picture release.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater,   a series much more to my haunting tastes. Nothing terrifying or thrilling but weird, supernatural stuff made absolutely believable by great characters. Anticipating the fourth book due out in March 2016.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness has been described as sad, darkly funny, and moving. While it includes monsters and the supernatural, it looks like a good read anytime of year. Just added it to my list.  NOTE: One of our contributors voted for this novel in the Young Adult category, describing it as ‘so, so deep’.

Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz a recently released teen series which promises to frighten!

Shades of London Series by Maureen Johnson was described to me as ‘on the edge of your seat kind of thriller’ – probably not for me.

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake – HORROR – also a series. Sounds like a great plot, not sure if I can afford the loss of sleep but might try.

Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black for those looking for vampires.

Rot & Ruin a series by Jonathan Maberry has it all for you Zombie lovers.

Other Mentions:

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs a peculiar and creepy series.

The Diviners by Libba Bray

The Finishing School series by Gail Carriger

Roald Dahl’s Book of Ghost Stories

Asylum Trilogy by Madeline Roux

  YOUNG ADULTS

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson promised to be incredibly creepy.

And — I was surprised to hear the list of classics suggested for this age group:

Anything written by Edgar Allan Poe

     The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Dracula by Bram Stoker

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

Time is of the essence. Hallow’s Eve is tomorrow! Head to the bookstore, library, or cloud and grasp in your sweaty palms your next literary haunt. Turn on all the lights, lock the door, and try not to scream—you might scare the neighbors.

Have I missed any of your favorite haunted tomes? Share them with your fellow creeps.

Special thanks to contributing Librarians Danielle Masterson, Beth Kerrigan, Amy Martin, Anna Tschetter, and Rebecca Meehan and to Chantel Coughlin, Manager, Andover Bookstore.