Halloween books for children and teens
Children’s and teen Halloween books cover everything from silly monsters and playful picture books to ghost stories, supernatural mysteries, and darker fiction for older readers. They are perfect for seasonal reading because costumes, magic, haunted houses, and things that go bump in the night are hard to resist. Along the way, young readers can explore fear, courage, friendship, and the unknown from the safety of a good book. This list features books by R. L. Stine, Rainbow Rowell, Oliver Jeffers, Jon Klassen, Jory John, Drew Daywalt, Aubrey Plaza, Juno Dawson, Donna L. Washington, and Daka Hermon.
Halloween books for children and teens – our recommendations
Halloween picture and early chapter books for elementary students – our recommendations
A Not-So-Scary Story by Barney Saltzberg
Little Mouse wakes in the dark and cannot get back to sleep, so Big Mouse begins telling a scary story. The trouble is, Little Mouse does not enjoy being frightened and starts changing the tale to make its creepiest moments easier to handle. This playful story within a story gives 3-6 year olds plenty to laugh about while recognizing that different people enjoy different levels of scariness.
Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew Forsythe
Aggie is thrilled to move into a house of her own until she discovers that a persistent ghost already lives there. Rules about stolen socks, eaten cheese and after-dark haunting make little difference, so Aggie proposes a winner-takes-the-house game of tic-tac-toe. For 4-8 year olds, the wry pictures and carefully timed comedy offer an unusual look at boundaries, compromise and friendships that need a little space.
Chicka Chicka Tricka Treat by Julien Chung
Costumed letters creep toward the top of an old tree in a Halloween variation on the familiar alphabet chant. When a witch swoops in and sends everyone tumbling, the celebration takes an unexpected turn. Julien Chung’s bold, lively pictures make this a high-spirited read-aloud for 4+ year olds, with delightful rhyme, letter recognition and a reassuringly playful level of Halloween mischief.
Luna and the Witch Throw a Halloween Party by Aubrey Plaza and Dan Murphy, illustrated by Hannah Peck
Luna Lopez longs to learn witchcraft, while Pheenie needs help rescuing another disastrous Halloween party. They strike a deal, but Luna must steer the frazzled witch away from wormy apples, candied spiders and other ideas unlikely to please neighborhood children. A vibrant choice for 3-7 year olds, this memorable picture book story blends party-planning comedy with spells, goblins and a warm celebration of Luna’s dream of becoming a bruja.
Here a Creak, There a Shriek! by Kelly Conroy, illustrated by Nikolas Ilic
Three trick-or-treaters enter a haunted farm filled with wolves, witches, scarecrows, ghosts and plenty of strange noises. The journey follows the rhythm of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” with an “Eeek-I! Eeek-I! Oh!” refrain leading toward a much friendlier surprise inside the creaking barn. Perfect for 3-7 year olds, this energetic read-aloud balances mild scares with repetition, sound effects and a funky monster dance.
Lila and the Jack-o’-Lantern: Halloween Comes to America by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Anneli Bray
After leaving Ireland for the United States, Lila misses the Halloween traditions she shared with her family, especially carving turnips to outwit the spirit named Jack. In her crowded new city, turnips are difficult to find, and she must work out how to carry an important piece of home into a different place. 4-6 year olds will adore this thoughtful story which connects immigration, family memory and the history of the jack-o’-lantern.
The Bad Seed Presents: The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky by Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald
Halloween is the Bad Seed’s favorite day, but every costume he tries feels wrong. His solution is characteristically drastic: if he cannot find a show-stopping outfit, perhaps trick-or-treating should be postponed for everyone. Children will enjoy the familiar character’s comic frustration as he wrestles with disappointment, impatience and the concept that a good idea does not have to be perfect.
Getting Ready for Halloween by Vera Ahiyya, illustrated by Debby Rahmalia
When a classroom prepares for Halloween with games, crafts, costumes and a parade, children a read and talk about a clear picture of how the school day might unfold. The cheerful illustrations show classmates and their teacher joining in without turning the occasion into anything too frightening. This highly accessible read-aloud will help to ease uncertainty about an unfamiliar celebration while leaving plenty of room for excitement.
Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht, illustrated by Jarvis
Choosing a pumpkin begins a step-by-step family ritual that moves from the patch to scooping, carving and finally lighting a finished jack-o’-lantern. Patricia Toht’s rhythmic text invites children to join in, while Jarvis fills the pages with autumn colors, small details and a busy, welcoming neighborhood. Ideal for 3-7 year olds, it captures both the practical process and the anticipation of Halloween night.
The Crayons Trick or Treat by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
The Crayons have their costumes and treat bags ready, but they have no idea what to say when a neighbor opens the door. Suggestions such as “Boo!” and “Merry Christmas” do not quite work, leaving Purple Crayon to teach the group the correct Halloween words. This compact, funny story for 4-8 year olds turns trick-or-treat etiquette into an easy read-aloud with plenty of familiar and funny Crayon chaos.
Stumpkin by Lucy Ruth Cummins
Stumpkin looks like an excellent future jack-o’-lantern: bright orange, perfectly round and handsome from every angle. Unfortunately, he has a stump instead of a stem, and shoppers keep choosing the other pumpkins as Halloween approaches. The spare text and striking city scenes make this a moving but never heavy story for 4-8 year olds about being overlooked, waiting and finding the right time and place to shine.
The Scariest Book Ever by Bob Shea
A nervous ghost warns readers not to enter the dark forest, then stays behind while they discover a cheerful rabbit preparing for a costume party with other animals. The ghost’s dramatic commentary and the pictures tell very different stories, creating jokes children can spot before the narrator does. This interactive Halloween read-aloud picture book plays cleverly with page turns, hidden details and the gap between imagined danger and what is really there.
There’s a Ghost In This House by Oliver Jeffers
A girl knows her old house is haunted, although she has never managed to see a ghost herself. She searches beneath the stairs, behind furniture and through shadowy rooms while translucent pages reveal the playful spirits she keeps missing. This beautifully designed seek-and-find book gives 4-8 year olds an interactive sense of control, combining photographic interiors, loose drawings and gentle eeriness.
Boo Stew by Donna L. Washington, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler
Curly Locks loves cooking, even though the residents of Toadsuck Swamp avoid creations such as batwing brownies and toad-eye toffees. When mysterious Scares begin driving everyone away from their meals, her unusual culinary talents may be exactly what the town needs. A rambunctious fractured fairy tale for 4-8 year olds, this twist on Goldilocks brings together gross-out humor, rhythmic storytelling and a resourceful heroine.
SpookyTale (An Abrams Trail Tale): A Halloween Adventure by Christopher Franceschelli, illustrated by Allison Black
Two children make their way toward a haunted house, crossing a dark forest and murky swamp before passing through its creaking gates. Die-cut pages reveal new surprises along the trail, while a large final foldout brings the Halloween expedition to a playful finish. Perfect for younger children, this sturdy interactive book offers gentle suspense, bold illustrations, and plenty for small hands to explore.
The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt – Gift Edition by Riel Nason, illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler
Unlike the sheet-shaped ghosts in his family, one little ghost is made from a heavy patchwork quilt. He cannot float or twirl like the others, and he worries that being different will spoil Halloween. A surprising encounter helps him see the value in what makes him unusual. This warm, beautifully illustrated gift edition is perfect to read to 3+ year olds and offers a charming story about belonging and self-acceptance.
Halloween books for middle grade students – our recommendations
A Bite Above the Rest by Christine Virnig, illustrated by Laura Eckes
Sixth grader Caleb Fisher has moved from Los Angeles to Samhain, a town where Halloween never ends and everyone wears a costume every day. While he struggles with grief and being the only kid who refuses to dress up, the town’s witchy neighbors and werewolf teachers leave him wondering what is real. Funny, strange, and heartfelt, it’s ideal for 8-12 year olds.
Give Me Something Good to Eat by D. W. Gillespie
Every Halloween, a child disappears from Pearl, but Mason Miller seems to be the only person who remembers. When his younger sister Meg vanishes during trick-or-treating, Mason and his friends enter a shadowy version of their town to break a witch’s curse and bring her home. 8-12 year olds who enjoy eerie mysteries will find plenty of tension here, along with a strong sibling bond at the center.
It’s Watching by Lindsay Currie
A Halloween visit to Bachelor’s Grove cemetery is supposed to give Josie, Jackson, and Alison proof of a ghost for their school newspaper. Instead, an ominous image of a phantom farmhouse appears on their phones, followed by a countdown that gives them three days to uncover who is watching them. This fast-moving supernatural mystery for middle graders explores urban legends, friendships, and digital scares.
Masks: A Graphic Novel by Margaret Rae and Brian Nathanson, illustrated by Beck Kubrick
Poe, Rice, and Shelley are monster children who have spent their lives hidden from the hunters who fear them. When their home faces demolition, they venture outside and stumble into a Halloween party where nobody questions their unusual appearances. Blending spooky comedy with questions about identity, safety, and belonging, this is a lively and engaging graphic novel.
Field of Screams by Wendy Parris
Twelve-year-old Rebecca Graff would rather investigate ghosts than spend the summer in Iowa with her family. An abandoned farmhouse soon gives her a real haunting to solve, and a note tucked inside her late father’s comic book suggests that the same spirit once followed him. This atmospheric middle grade mysterycombines paranormal chills with family history, grief, and a determined young ghost hunter.
The Haunting Hour: Chills in the Dead of Night by R.L. Stine
A cruel babysitter, an ancient mummy case, and two boys determined to create the scariest Halloween imaginable feature among these ten short horror stories. Each self-contained tale builds toward a sinister surprise, making the collection easy to dip into while still offering some satisfyingly nasty twists. 10+ year olds who enjoy compact scares and unsettling endings will find scares a plenty here to keep the lights on for.
Weird But True! Halloween: 300 Spooky Facts to Scare You Silly by National Geographic Kids and Julie Beer
Underwater pumpkin carving, monster myths, odd costumes, candy records, and strange celebrations all find a place in this collection of 300 Halloween facts. Bright photographs and bite-size entries make it easy to dip in and out, whether at home or in the classroom. Curious readers will enjoy the history, science, trivia, and plenty of wonderfully weird details behind the holiday.
Ghostly, Ghastly Tales: Frights to Tell at Night by Anastasia Garcia, illustrated by Teo Skaffa
Haunted objects, restless ghosts, dangerous creatures, wishes gone wrong, and things that stir after dark fill this collection of short tales. The stories draw on folklore and traditions from places including Nigeria, the Philippines, Japan, Mexico, Iceland, and the Caribbean, with full-page artwork and fright ratings adding to the fun. Readers can sample one scare at a time or dare themselves to read the collection straight through.
The Skull by Jon Klassen
Otilla runs away into a dark forest and finds shelter in an abandoned house occupied by a talking skull. The skull is terrified of a headless skeleton that visits each night, so the two unlikely friends must find a way to protect one another. Jon Klassen’s darkly funny retelling of a Tyrolean folktale ideal for less confident readers, with memorable monochrome artwork and an eerie sense of strangeness.
Hide and Seeker by Daka Hermon
Justin’s best friend Zee returns after being missing for a year, but he is quiet, frightened, and clearly not the same. During a welcome-home party, a game of hide-and-seek pulls the neighborhood children into the nightmare world where Zee was trapped, with the monstrous Seeker hunting them. A creepy, fast-paced story for middle-graders, it turns a familiar playground game into a battle for survival.
Halloween Party by R.L. Stine
A mysterious new student invites a group of classmates to an all-night Halloween party in an old house on Fear Street. Costumes and games quickly give way to panic when the lights go out and a guest is found with a knife in his back. Part of R.L. Stine’s classic Fear Street series, this atmospheric and suspenseful mystery is ideal for more confident readers ready for murder, secrets, and a darker kind of Halloween story.
Halloween books for high school students – our recommendations
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas by Megan Shepherd
Jack Skellington has grown bored with Halloween Town’s familiar scares when he discovers a doorway leading to the bright and cheerful world of Christmas. His attempt to take over the holiday soon creates chaos, leaving Jack and Sally to put matters right. This official novelization for 12+ year old readers expands the film’s story into an accessible fantasy filled with familiar characters, macabre humor, and two very different holiday worlds.
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell, illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks
Deja and Josiah have worked together at the same pumpkin patch every fall throughout high school, but their final Halloween shift is about to end. Rather than repeat their usual routine, Deja persuades Josiah to explore the patch, sample the food, and finally speak to the girl he has admired for years. This warm-hearted graphic novel for 14+ year olds blends autumn atmosphere, humor, friendship, and a slow-burn romance.
Hollow by Shannon Watters and Branden Boyer-White, illustrated by Berenice Nelle
Moving to Sleepy Hollow brings Isabel “Izzy” Crane straight into the town’s Headless Horseman legend. With Vicky Van Tassel and Croc Byun, she discovers that the old curse is real and that Vicky may be its next target. The trio has until Halloween to stop it, while Izzy and Vicky’s growing feelings complicate matters. This queer supernatural graphic novel is aimed at 13+ year olds.
They Call Her Regret by Channelle Desamours
Simone Washington plans an invitation-only Halloween party at Doll’s Head Lake to celebrate her eighteenth birthday, but the night ends with her best friend Kira dead. A witch named Regret offers Simone a terrible bargain: Kira will return immediately if Simone agrees to free Regret from her curse within fourteen days. If she fails, Kira will die again, and Simone will be forced to kill her. For 13+ year olds, this tense speculative mystery combines grief, guilt, friendship, family secrets and a cruel deadline.
Your Lonely Nights Are Over by Adam Sass
Dearie and Cole are inseparable best friends and proud members of their high school’s Queer Club. When a serial killer known as Mr. Sandman appears to return and club members become targets, suspicion falls on the two boys themselves. To clear their names, they must identify the killer before another attack. This witty, bloody slasher mystery is perfect for readers ages 14 and up.
Night of the Living Queers: 13 Tales of Terror & Delight edited by Shelly Page and Alex Brown
Thirteen queer authors of color turn Halloween night into a showcase for monsters, murder, ghosts, revenge, romance, and dark humor. Each story centers a BIPOC teenager and gives a fresh spin to familiar horror traditions, so the anthology moves easily from chilling to heartfelt and back again. Written for 14+ year olds, it works especially well for imaginative readers who enjoy varied voices and short, self-contained scares.
The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent years running from the bad luck that seems to follow them. When Alice’s reclusive grandmother dies and her mother is taken by a figure from the Hinterland, the cruel fairy-tale world behind her grandmother’s stories, Alice turns to classmate Ellery Finch for help. This dark fantasy combines a missing-person mystery with unsettling folklore and a dangerous search for the Hazel Wood. Highly recommended.
Grave Matter by Juno Dawson, illustrated by Alex T. Smith
Samuel cannot accept that Eliza has died in a car crash, and his grief drives him toward an occult group that claims it can return her to him. The ritual demands a price, however, and Samuel soon finds himself dealing with forces far beyond his control. Ideal for 13+ year olds, with a reading age of 9, this beautifully illustrated novella offers accessible but uncompromising horror about loss, obsession, and dangerous promises.
There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins
Makani Young hopes that moving from Hawaii to Nebraska will let her leave a painful secret behind. Then students at her new high school begin dying in a series of gruesome attacks. As the violence moves closer and fear spreads through the school, Makani’s past becomes harder to keep hidden. A face-paced tense slasher novel for readers aged 14 and up, it pairs mounting danger with romance and questions about guilt, trust, and survival.
Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween by Lisa Morton
From Celtic Samhain and Catholic All Souls’ Day to trick-or-treating, haunted attractions, and modern popular culture, Lisa Morton traces how Halloween developed and spread around the world. She also examines related traditions, including Mexico’s Day of the Dead, while exploring the holiday’s links with death, the supernatural, commerce, literature, film, and television. Detailed and scholarly but nevertheless accessible, this illustrated history will interest more mature 16+ high school readers.
All Hallows by Christopher Golden
On Halloween night in 1984, four strangely dressed children appear among the trick-or-treaters of Coventry, Massachusetts, begging local kids to hide them from a figure called the Cunning Man. As family secrets erupt across Parmenter Road, an unfamiliar clearing and blackthorn tree appear in the woods. A powerful and lingering read for more mature 18+ high school seniors, this disturbing horror novel contains graphic violence, disturbing abuse, alcoholism, infidelity, and significant supernatural terror.
Click the buttons below to purchase all of the books in this Halloween book list, as well as classroom sets of any of these books and many more, from Bookshop.org. Or buy the 20 most popular titles from this list from Amazon – ideal for gifts or stocking your school library. If you are ordering from outside the US, have a look at our worldwide orders page, which makes this process easy.
Buy from Bookshop.Org Buy from Amazon Worldwide orders
Disclosure: we are an affiliate of Bookshop.org and we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase; as an Amazon Associate k-12readinglist.com earns from qualifying purchases.
Please do share or link to this page via social media, but refrain from copying or reproducing our Halloween book synopses. Please respect intellectual property and copyright. Thank you.
Halloween resources for teachers and parents
- The Library of Congress suggests ways elementary teachers can use historic newspapers and other primary sources to investigate how American children celebrated Halloween more than a century ago.
- ReadWriteThink provides a classroom unit that uses scary stories to explore character, setting, plot and story structure. It includes graphic organizers, writing prompts and an activity in which students create their own spooky tales.
- PBS LearningMedia’s Halloween Collection features scare-free videos, classroom activities and lesson plans for PreK through Grade 2, covering costumes, storytelling, counting and other early learning topics.
- The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History offers a free, captioned webinar in which students examine bat specimens, make scientific drawings and use physical adaptations to predict what different bat species eat. It is particularly useful for Grades 3 through 5.
- NASA Space Place has a child-friendly collection of Halloween science activities, including space-themed pumpkin stencils, planet masks and an illustrated introduction to some of the more unsettling phenomena found in space.
- For middle and high school science, the American Chemical Society collects Halloween chemistry ideas involving dry ice, glowing materials, static electricity and themed demonstrations. Activities involving chemicals or specialist equipment require appropriate teacher supervision and safety precautions.
- The National Museum of the American Latino provides a Day of the Dead learning kit with Smithsonian collections, videos, music, virtual exhibitions and hands-on activities. It helps educators teach Día de los Muertos accurately as a distinct cultural and religious tradition rather than treating it as another version of Halloween.
- The Poetry Foundation’s Halloween collection brings together poems, articles and audio recordings featuring ghosts, witches and supernatural subjects. It includes work by Edgar Allan Poe, Christina Rossetti, William Shakespeare and other writers suitable for classroom reading and discussion.
- Food Allergy Research & Education’s Teal Pumpkin Project helps schools, families and community groups make Halloween more inclusive by offering non-food treats alongside candy. The site includes guidance, printable signs and practical ideas for allergy-aware celebrations.
- For families, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ HealthyChildren.org Halloween guide covers costume fit and visibility, street safety, trick-or-treating, food allergies and age-appropriate planning for children and teens.
BISAC JUV017030, JUV069000, JUV058000, JUV052000, JUV037060, YAF025000, YAF026000, YAF021000, YAF045000, YAF041000, YAF019020, YAF019050. | Thema YFD, YFHT, YFQ, YNXB3, YNXW, 5HCP.
