Halloween books for children and teens

Halloween books for children and teens

Children’s, young adult and teen books about Halloween, trick or treating, ghosts,  strange and unexplained events, and dark spooky nights.  This list contains 80 titles to read on dark nights, for children to read aloud and scare their friends, and for teachers to read to make whole classes quiver and shiver.  There’s a range of fiction, nonfiction, true stories, picture books, poetry, short story collections, chapter books and novels for primary and secondary-aged children. This list features books by Oliver Jeffers, Julia Donaldson, Eric Carle, Harriet Muncaster, Roald Dahl, Susan Hill, Neil Gaiman, Rainbow Rowell, R.L Stine, Padraig Kenny, Anthony Horowitz, Lisa Richardson and Rob Biddulph.

Books to read at Halloween time for children and teens – our recommendations

Halloween-themed and spooky picture books for younger children

Four Silly Skeletons by Mark Sperring, Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet.

Halloween by Campbell Books.

Eek! Halloween! By Sandra Boynton.

I Say Boo You Say Hoo by John Kane

A wonderfully fun picture book for younger children that is ideal for reading together. With bright colours and clever typography, this story uses a call-and-respond approach to help the reader tell the story. There are lots of ‘oo’ sounds, including boo, hoo, and of course, ‘stinky poo’, which children will find hilarious. This may well be a book you read every day for a long time!

The Crayons Trick or Treat by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers.

No Home For A Ghost by Jess Rose.

We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt by Martha Mumford and Cherie Zamazing.

We Planted a Pumpkin by Rob Ramsden

Part of a trilogy of picture books including I Saw a Bee and We Found a Seed, this story follows the life of a pumpkin from seed to harvesting for Halloween. The illustrations are vibrant and inclusive and this book is ideal for inspiring Halloween-themed wall displays.

Christopher Pumpkin by Sue Hendra, Paul Linnet and Nick East.

The Bad Seed Presents: The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky by Jory John and Pete Oswald.

Hazel and the Spooky Season by Kyle Sullivan and Jess Mason.

Five Little Ghosts: A lift-the-flap Halloween picture book by Lily Murray and Holly Surplice

Five little ghosts have floated away. Can you find out where they are hiding and help them float back to Mama Ghost? Big bold glossy pages with flaps big and small make this a charming picture book to read and share with 2-6 year olds. It’s ideal to help develop fine motor, counting, and observational skills, as well as putting a positive and reassuring spin on a subject that might spook the youngest readers. Come Halloween time preschoolers will be looking for smiling friendly ghostlings in every unlikely nook and cranny!

Boo Who? By Ben Clanton.

Mrs Blackhat by Mick Inkpen and Chloe Inkpen.

Poultrygeist by Eric Geron and Pete Oswald.

Griselda Snook’s Spectacular Books by Barry Timms, illustrated by Laura Borio

When Henry spends a day in a Halloween-themed bookstore, he finds a book that captivates him despite his initial doubts. Suddenly, he’s hooked on books! This charming story celebrates reading, independent bookstores, and the idea that there is a perfect book for everyone, making it ideal for Halloween and reluctant readers. Showing children that there’s a book out there waiting for every child, Griselda Snook’s Spectacular Books is perfect for school librarians and autumn term book tastings!

There’s a Ghost in the House by Oliver Jeffers

This wonderfully evocative and interactive picture book is ideal for storytelling on a dark, wet, Autumn afternoon – especially, perhaps, at Halloween. Explore the haunted house with the little girl who lives there. Help her to find a ghost amongst the beautifully illustrated pages. On every page, children will find awe and wonder. It’s a great book to read as a family.

Ollie’s Lost Kitten by Nicola Killen.

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

How to Make Friends With a Ghost by Rebecca Green.

Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht and Jarvis.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Halloween Trick or Treat by Eric Carle.

Mr. Tickle and the Scary Halloween by Adam Hargreaves.

GOTCHA! by Clotilde Perrin

Fleeing a ‘nasty hairball monster, a child hides in a series of fairytale houses. The intrepid reader can try to find them in the most unlikely places by lifting flaps, opening doors and peering carefully into each intricately illustrated cutaway. This oversized hardback is exquisitely presented in full colour with heavy stock card pages. With infectious language – ‘feculent’, ‘pestilential’, ‘collywobblers’ and a clever ending, GOTCHA! is an astonishingly good book. Children aged 5-8 will love it.

The House of Madame M by Clotilde Perrin.

The Grotlyn by Benji Davies.

The Little Ghost Who Was A Quilt by Riel Nason, illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler.

The Tindims of Rubbish Island and the Spooky Secret by Sally Gardner, illustrated by Lydia Corry

When a young witch shrinks herself in a spell gone wrong, she and her best ghost friend find themselves on Rubbish Island. But witches and ghosts are a mystery to the Tindims, who don’t even know what Halloween is. But as they find out about it, they help their new friends find their way home in this fast-paced, dialogue-driven, dyslexic-friendly short chapter book. With fun illustrations on nearly every page, this is a page-turning and lightly spooky introduction to recycling themes for children in KS1 and less confident readers in lower KS2.

Maggie Sparks and the Fang-tastic Fairground by Steve Smallman, illustrated by Esther Hernando

Young witch Maggie sets out to prove to her friend Arthur that Halloween is fun, not frightening in this, the fourth in the engaging and accessible Maggie Sparks series. Up against giant spiders and a possible vampire, Maggie uses magic to find the truth behind the spooky events and help Arthur overcome his fears. With eye-catching illustrations by Esther Hernando, this series is a lively and exciting first chapter book option for 5-7-year-olds and Maggie Sparks. The Fang-tastic Fairground is an ideal Halloween-themed text to read to classes during October. Read our full review.

Halloween and ghost story themed chapter books for 7-11 year olds

The Witches by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake.

Diary of an Accidental Witch by Honor and Perdita Cargill, illustrated by Katie Saunders.

The Peculiar Peggs of Riddling Woods by Samuel J. Halpin, illustrated by Hannah Peck.

Ghost Scouts: Mayhem at Camp Croak! by Taylor Dolan

Lexie Wild and her friends join forces with a rival camp when dangerous whispering snakes threaten to cause misery. Can they put aside their differences to defeat this common enemy? With pillow fights, scary campfire storytelling and a race against time, this is an exciting read. The fourth in this series of brightly illustrated, fun and inclusive ghost stories, Mayhem at Camp Croak! is an ideal pacey first chapter book mystery adventure for children aged 6-9.

The Ghost of Gosswater by Lucy Strange

A beautifully written and evocative mystery adventure set in the Lake District in 1889. When 12-year-old Agatha is seemingly robbed of her inheritance by a nasty cousin, she’s determined to find the truth – and she finds help from a strange and spectral source on the chime of midnight. With lots of atmosphere in short and fast-moving chapters, this is a spooky class reader UKS2.

Mirabelle and the Haunted House by Harriet Muncaster.

Goth Girl and the Sinister Symphony by Chris Riddell.

Spooky Poems by James Carter and Brian Moses.

No Place For Monsters by Kory Merritt

When the children of suburban Cowslip Grove begin to disappear, Levi and Kat are the only people who remember them. And they are determined to find out why in this totally engrossing, and deliciously creepy mystery with a pervasive and lingering sensation of nearby evil. The trials and tribulations of middle-grade relationships, clashes with authority, and of course, saving the world, propel this engrossing and quirky read. The dialogue-driven story and the part graphic novel combination will be a real winner with less enthusiastic readers. We dare you to read it around a dimly lit library this October.

Wigglesbottom Primary: The Toilet Ghost by Pamela Butchart and Becka Moor.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Chris Riddell.

Hubble Bubble: The Super Spooky Fright Night by Tracey Corderoy and Joe Berger.

Shiver Point: It Came From the Woods by Gabriel Dylan

When Alex sees a meteorite streaking towards Howlmoor Forest he imagines finding it and fame and fortune. But not only do four other kids get there before him, but what they find is the stuff of nightmares. Crisply written with short cliffhanger chapters, up-to-the-minute cultural references and relatable characters, Shiver Point is bound to be a hit with KS2 children. Think Stranger Things meets The Goonies with super creepy killer slugs. Shiver Point is the ultimate chiller thriller series for 9-year-olds.

Ghoulia by Barbara Cantini.

The Whisperling by Hayley Hoskins.

The Girl, the Ghost and the Lost Name by Reece Carter, illustrated by Eleonora Asparuhova.

The Violet Veil Mysteries by Sophie Cleverly

Violet is forced into a world of intrigue and ghostly goings-on when her father is arrested for crimes he did not commit in this first instalment of a new series. Violet, who lives in the world of undertakers Veil & Son’s, is determined to follow in her father’s footsteps and one day lead the family business. This story is suited for upper KS2 mystery enthusiasts, with a fast-paced narrative, brief chapters, and a strong female lead.

Daisy and the Trouble with Vampires by Kes Gray, illustrated by Nick Sharratt.

The Legend of Ghastly Jack Crowheart by Loretta Schauer.

Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories by Jeff Kinney.

Ivy Newt and the Time Thief by Derek Keilty and Magda Brol

When a strange house materialises over the bay, Ivy Newt is determined to uncover its secrets and break the spooky curse. But there’s a race against time because the house will soon vanish at midnight! Fun and atmospheric illustrations by Magda Brol add to a lively mystery plot and Ivy Newt is an ideal fantasy series to get less confident readers hooked on short chapter books.

Halloween-related fiction and ghost stories for young adults and teens

The Woman in Black: and Other Ghost Stories by Susan Hill.

Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk and Theodore Van Alst.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Battle for Pumpkin King by Walt Disney

This manga miniseries graphic novel explores the origins of Jack Skellington’s rivalry with Oogie Boogie, revealing a past where they were once close friends. Set during the competition to become the new Pumpkin King, this story is filled with thrills, vibrant illustrations, and valuable lessons on friendship and honesty. Perfect for fans of the original film and newcomers alike, this tale is a must-read for 12+ year olds who enjoy a fast-paced mix of gothic charm and light-hearted fun.

Curse Breaker by Simon Tudhope, illustrated by Tom Knight

You find yourself alone and scared in a prison cell, locked up for something you didn’t do. In this book, you are the story, and you decide your fate! With interactive gameplay, a game log, and combat at the roll of a dice (or a nifty QR code online roller), Curse Breaker is creepily irresistible. 10-14-year-old readers will lose themselves in the dark mysteries of Mirewick for at least a weekend in the monster-filled tight prose, clever characterisation and mysterious pictures containing hidden clues.

The Watchers by A.M. Shine.

The Time of the Ghost by Diana Wynne Jones.

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks.

Stone by Finbar Hawkins

Overwhelmed by grief from losing his father in Afghanistan, Sam stumbles upon a stone with strange and supernatural properties on a hillside that holds special memories for him and a special place in local history. He is thrust into a beautifully realised and mysterious world of legends and bravery where relationships are tested. The second, and standalone, novel by the multiple award-nominated and bestselling author Finbar Hawkins does not disappoint. Stone is a compelling study of grief, thought and family, suitable for KS3 and KS4 book clubs and fans of Norse myths and Halloween.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

Ghost Stories by M. R. James.

Rayleigh Mann in the Company of Monsters by Ciannon Smart

When Rayleigh goes out trick or treating, never could he have imagined he’d meet a monster from his nana’s stories and find out the father he’d never met is in fact the Bogey Mann! But Bogey Mann is missing, and only Rayleigh can find him. Will he survive the scary Below-London world of nightmarish adventures and save his father? This immersive and funny monster rollercoaster fantasy adventure will appeal to readers in Y6, Y7 and Y8.

Wranglestone by Darren Charlton.

Slappy and Other Horror Stories by R.L. Stine.

Freeze by Chris Priestley.

The Hideaway by Pam Smy

When Billy runs away, he finds himself hiding in a neglected graveyard. There he meets an old man patiently waiting for a supernatural event on All Soul’s Eve. Told in alternating chapters through the wide eyes of Billy, and his worried mother’s point of view, The Hideaway offers teachers in years 7&8 plenty of ideas for character studies, perspective and hot seating. Spectacular, atmospheric and moving, this novel is an excellent choice for KS3 discussion and an easier read for KS4 fans of A Monster Calls and Stranger Things.

The House of Footsteps by Mathew West.

Dracula: Deluxe Edition by Bram Stoker, illustrated by Edward Gorey.

Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall.

Tales of the Damned: A Collection of Classic Horror Stories by Matt Ralphs, illustrated by Taylor Dolan

Matt Ralphs retells eight classic gothic narratives and unsettling fables in this beautifully illustrated chunky hardback. The Masque of the Red Death, Dracula, The Monkey’s Paw, Red Riding Hood, Frankenstein, Vasilisa the Daughter, Whistle and I’ll Come to You and Bluebeard are presented as accessible and atmospheric short stories. A spooktacular gift book, Tales of the Damned is perfect for 10-13 year olds who like to be immersed in darkly chilling thrills and classic twisty tales.

The Creeper Man by Dawn Kurtagich.

Lockwood & Co: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud.

The Monsters of Rookhaven by Padraig Kenny, illustrated by Edward Bettison.

Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas by Megan Shepherd

Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, is bored with year after year of scaring people. So when he discovers a door to Christmas Town, he hatches a plan to take over the holiday and have the citizens of Haloween Town run Christmas themselves. Will his dreams come true, or will Christmas become a nightmare? Based on the Disney musical, this novelisation is a darkly atmospheric, accessible and bewitching read that will transfix KS3 readers.

Horowitz Horror by Anthony Horowitz.

Haunted by Susan Cooper et al.

Witch by Finbar Hawkins.

Channel Fear by Lisa Richardson

When a couple of YouTube ghost hunter influencers vanish into thin air, Iris and her friends are determined to find them. The toxic threesome finds the final filming spot and it reveals terrifying footage. Chilling, well-paced and convincing, it’s a viral ‘Blair Witch’ for teens precariously spanning the zoomer and alpha generations. We think Channel Fear will be a hit with socially aware and internet-savvy KS4 students.

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab.

The Wrong Train by Jeremy de Quidt.

The Midnight Club by Christopher Pike.

The Sister Who Ate Her Brothers And Other Gruesome Tales by Jen Campbell

This weighty hardback collection of dark fairy tales reimagines traditional stories with spooky modern twists. Featuring striking illustrations by Adam de Souza, it will appeal to early secondary school readers who enjoy thrilling, unexpected and thought-provoking narratives. It’s ideal for book club discussions and creative projects at Halloween time. Read our full review.

Halloween related true stories and non fiction

Make and Play: Halloween by Joey Chou.

Halloween Things to Make and Do by Kate Nola.

Draw With Rob at Halloween by Rob Biddulph.

The World of the Unknown: Ghosts by Christopher Maynard.

The Horror Handbook by Paul van Loon, illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

World of Weird: A Creepy Compendium of True Stories by Tom Adams and Celsius Pictor.

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Halloween resources for teachers

• BBC Teach offers a video to use in primary assemblies, explaining the origins of Halloween and how we celebrate it today. There’s a set of free teacher’s notes to accompany the video.
• Cambridge University Press has published a page full of free educational activities based on Halloween, including spooky flash cards and speaking and listening worksheets.
• Oxford University Press has a useful activity pack that features Scary Collocations, Ghoulish Word Forms, Frightful Idioms and a Shadowy Web Quest.
• STEM learning has lots of Halloween-related ideas to download, including ‘Pumpkins Against Poverty’, Halloween symmetry, bones of the body bingo and spooky space.
• The New York Times has a set of ‘haunting ideas’ for educators, which include how to tell ‘terrifying tales’, Halloween costume conduct (good for KS3 and KS4 PSHE), zombie poetry, and – perfect for homework (!) how to ‘scare yourself at home’.
• The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation offers a downloadable article explaining how to decorate pumpkins, with lots of extension ideas and links.
• English Heritage lists Halloween family events taking place over the autumn half-term for locations all around the UK. These include spooky woodland walks, Halloween crafts and cooking activities, creepy castles and ghost tales.