Welcome readers, to my annual round up of all things Halloweenish as we approach the spookiest day of the year!
Don’t Tickle the Skeleton! by Sam Taplin, illustrated by Ana Larrañaga
‘You’d better not tickle the skeleton… because it might just rattle if you do!
Babies and toddlers just won’t be able to resist tickling the touchy-feely patches to hear each creature make a sound in this hilarious novelty book. At the end, readers will find all the characters gathered together for a spooktastic Halloween dance. An exciting new series for babies and toddlers, from the creators of That’s not my…’
A fun and bouncy read for little ghosties and ghoulies. There’s lots to spot in the vibrantly illustrated pages and the soft sound patches add an expressive dimension of fun. Parents will appreciate the sturdy board book format and a volume control button on the back! 0+
Colin’s Grandma by Holly Swain
‘Colin and Duck are now friends. They’re happily sharing their castle – and they’re expecting a visitor … Grandma!
Grandma’s brought lots of luggage – and her pet crocodile. Eek! Will she like Colin’s unconventional castle? Will she like his vegetarian cooking? And will she like … DUCK?!’
I am very fond of Colin and Duck so couldn’t wait to see what the dynamic duo were up to. I wasn’t disappointed – so very funny! Readers will enjoy seeing Colin get more and more exasperated with his Grandma until enough is enough!
Croaky Escape from Crow Castle by Matty Long
‘Croaky Hopper isn’t like other little frogs. His head is filled with thoughts of wild adventures. He dreams of hopping across crocodile-infested waters, or being chased by a giant boulder, just like the famous TV explorer Tennessee Toad. But where can an energetic amphibian like Croaky find real-life adventure? When his Aunt Lilly signs him up for the Woggle Scouts, he expects to spend his time crafting with pinecones and selling cookies, but he soon discovers there’s much more in store . . .
In Escape from Crow Castle, the Woggle Scouts are on a mission to uncover the cause of mysterious hauntings at Crow Castle. On the expedition, they find hidden passageways, puzzle rooms, and a murder of meddling crows!’
This is a new instalment in a fun first chapter book series. Young readers will love the full page colour illustrations and the colourful cast of characters. Events take a turn for the spooky as the Wogglescouts head to Crow Castle to earn their Mystery Solver badges. 5+
Marv and the Funfair Fright written by Alex Falase-Koya, illustrated by Paula Bowles
‘Marvin’s life is perfectly ordinary until one day he discovers a mysterious superhero suit hidden in the attic. It is powered by kindness and imagination, and since Marvin has tons of both, the powers of the suit are infinite.
In book 9, Marv and the Funfair Fright, Marvin’s excited but nervous about riding the Head Spinner rollercoaster at the funfair. But he suddenly has much more to worry about when the Conjuror, a supervillain from Marv’s past, causes chaos by bringing a zombie and some giant toy pandas to life. Marv and his sidekick Pixel will have to use every trick in the book to put a stop to the panda-monium and defeat the cunning Conjuror.’
This is such a stylish first chapter book series – a gear choice for developing readers who are looking for a wordier read but is still packed with illustrations. Plenty of action will keep readers hooked and the themes of kindness and courage shine through. 7+
Puzzle Adventure The Ghost in the Mirror by Karen Dolby, illustrated by Brenda Haw
‘When Joe, Polly and Sam stumble across an abandoned manor house, with strange, glowing lights, they decide to explore.
Soon, they are on the trail of mysterious messages – and then a terrifying ghostly figure appears in a mirror.
Could it be real? They’ll need all the help you can give them to find out, solving brain-teasers, logic puzzles and curious codes along the way.
There are extra clues and answers at the back of the book. Packed full of interactive puzzles and comic-strips, this Usborne classic has been updated and enhanced for a whole new generation of puzzle adventurers.’
I’m a big fan of puzzle adventure books and have lots of fond memories of them from my own childhood. Im so pleased that Usborne have reissued this title! As readers join the gang exploring the haunted house, their problem-solving skills (as well as their nerves) will be put to the test. There are objects to spot, codes to be cracked, and memories to be tested. great for sleuths aged 7+
‘Get ready for heart-pounding chases beneath the full moon, mysterious figures lurking in the woods and fun picture puzzles to solve in this spooky adventure where every choice you make leads to new twists and turns.
Everything seems normal when you arrive at your Grandma’s house deep in the woods… until night falls. The shadows start creeping closer, and eerie howls echo through the trees. Who – or what – is lurking in the woods? And why does Grandma’s dog keep barking?’
This mystery gamebook from Usborne has a ‘choose your own adventure’ format with 13 different endings to the quest. There are also lots of interaction elements involving picture puzzles and the roll of a dice. There’s more reading in this than the previous title so I’d suggest it would be best for readers aged 9+
Supersized Squirrel and the Attack of the Zombears by Luke Séguin-Magee
‘Once upon a time, happy creatures roamed a peaceful patch of forest in the wilderness. They climbed trees, gathered nuts, and made cute squeaky sounds. Then KABLAM! A radioactive meteor fell from the sky and Crater’s Edge, an unusual community of mutant woodland creatures, was born. Some residents are good. Some are not so good. And one is best of all . . . SUPERSIZED SQUIRREL! A little squirrel with the power to grow SUPERSIZED.
In Supersized Squirrel Attack of the Zombears, Supersized Squirrel and Blaze Bunny are called on to investigate a strange occurrence in the forest. But with a scary movie fresh in their minds and a storm blowing through the trees can they find the courage they need to face danger?’
Readers are going love joining Supersized Squirrel on his next woodland adventure where his imagination starts to run wild. The vibrant graphic novel format and laugh-out-loud action are sure to hook young thrill-seekers. 5+
Fear Files Hide and Seek by Christopher Edge, cover by Mathias Ball
‘Nobody knows who started the Darkive. It’s a database filled with first-hand accounts of strange, unexplained experiences. Ghosts; paranormal entities; weird anomalies. Each one is stored with a bank of evidence to prove the story. Are you ready to dive in?
Adam didn’t think his camping trip with his best friend, Sol, could get any worse. Stumbling upon an abandoned ghost town, they find themselves playing a strange game of hide and seek. But who or what is trying to find them? And can Adam stay one step ahead?’
Christopher Edge is one of those authors whose writing I have adored from the get-go. Fear Files is a series which is definitely not for the faint-hearted! The short story format makes this ideal for older middle grade readers who like to be frightened – don’t say I didn’t warn you… 10+
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein abridged by Lucy Strange, cover by Kristina Kister
‘A beloved classic adult novel skilfully abridged to inspire and engage a new generation of middle-grade readers, from a hugely popular bestselling children’s author.
“I, Victor Frankenstein, will explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation…”
Driven by a boundless ambition to create life itself, young scientist Victor Frankenstein creates his own being from stitched-together body parts. But when he succeeds in bringing his creature to life, the result is horrific; a towering, hideous-bodied monster with the innocent soul of a newborn child. Spurned by its creator and rejected by society, the initially gentle creature turns on its maker and wreaks a trail of vengeful murder and tragedy.’
I will read absolutely anything that Lucy Strange has written – her books are always fantastic – so I was very excited to see that she was responsible for this new abridged edition of the classic Frankenstein. This abridged version maintains all the key themes and language of the original and boasts several full page illustrations. A grey introduction for readers aged 11+
Dead Yard Seeds of Doom by P.J. Kilburn, illustrated by Markia Jenai
‘Budding film-maker Jermaine is at his great-great uncle’s Dead Yard, a service for the deceased that lasts the entire night. There’s music, tons of people and lots of food, so when Jermaine spots a plate of patties – his favourite snack – he digs in immediately.But upon taking a bite he finds himself in big trouble.
Turns out that at a Dead Yard, a table is set up under a tent with food for the departed loved one. No one is allowed to eat from it before midnight, which is believed to be the time when the spirit passes through.
Jermaine wishes he knew that before 22:53! Now he’s got the angry spirit of his Uncle Carl in his life. ALL. THE. TIME. But that isn’t the only creepy happening in town. Kids are suffering from a mysterious illness that sounds A LOT like the Jamaican ghost tales his great gran has told him. With cursed cassava seeds in the house and a strange being lurking in the neighbourhood too, Jermaine and Carl will have to work together to keep the people they care about safe.’
This is the first in a new series which smoothly incorporates Jamaican culture, patois, and folklore. Great relatable characters, tonnes of fun and barrel-loads of action, this would be great for readers aged 9+
The Scream of a Whistle by Emily Randall-Jones, illustrated by Micaela Alċaino
‘Ruby is miserable. Her parents have split up, and now she’s stuck in a creepy village. At night, she decides to escape and follow the ancient train track home.
Her journey has barely begun when she hears the eerie scream of a whistle – and an old steam train appears out of the darkness . . .
Is Ruby ready for the ghost ride of her life?’
Oooh, this is a tense one! Slowly, slowly, Randall-Jones builds the mystery until readers are sent on a ghostly train ride along ancient ley lines with protagonist Ruby. Things are not quite what the seem and Ruby will need her wits about here is she’s to get back her Gram’s again. 9+
Spirit Warriors by Ashley Thorpe, illustrated by Gashwayne Hudson
‘When her island home is overrun by evil spirits, Evie is saved only by the powerful gemstone her parents entrusted to her. Her best friend Arthur is not so lucky – caught in the magical crossfire, he finds himself in the body of a cat.
On a mission to return him to his body and defeat the ghouls, Evie and Arthur team up with Cai, a trainee shaman, who helps them discover the truth. The terrifying Blackheart Man is plotting to steal the island’s four magical gemstones and use their power to destroy the barrier between the worlds of the living and the dead. It will take all of Evie’s magic, Cai’s bravery and Arthur’s talent for thievery to stop him.’
This story was inspired by the history and folklore of Jamaica and is utterly gripping! The cast of characters face some difficult choices but through drawing strength from each other, they battle through some truly terrifying situations! 9+
Gloam by Jack Mackay, illustrated by Ben Joel Price
‘A grieving family. A decaying house. A babysitter with a monstrous secret. Nothing on Gloam Island is quite what it seems…
Gwen doesn’t need anyone to help her look after her younger siblings. And she isn’t fooled by the beautiful babysitter with the hungry eyes and sharp teeth. But everyone else is. So if Gwen wants Esme Laverne gone, she’ll have to handle it herself.
As Esme’s power grows, Gwen must embrace her deepest fears before she can defeat the monster in her home for good.
Because as everyone knows, it’s impossible to be brave unless you’re already afraid.’
Loved this! It’s so good I almost missed my train stop as I was desperate to get to end of the chapter. Atmospheric, creepy storytelling at its best. With a truly spine chilling villain, a mysterious house, and a secret hidden at its heart, there’s everything a scare-seeker could want! 9+
The Wintermoor Lights by Dan Smith, illustrated by Luke Brookes
‘What is happening to the children in Wintermoor? Secret organisation The Night House exposes the bone-chilling truth in this terrifying thriller from master of sci-fi Dan Smith.
Tara Fisher’s best friend Zoe is the first to see the lights over Wintermoor – and she’s never the same again. Soon more and more teenagers are affected and start behaving strangely, often appearing to be trapped in some kind of trance, while talking about being “chosen”. The adults dismiss what is happening as some kind of hoax or mass hysteria.
But will they finally listen when the kids start to disappear …?’
Dan Smith is a simply fantastic writer of creepy/ sci-fi stories. ‘The Night House Files’ series for Barrington Stoke is no exception. Events unfold at a rocketing pace and the fear factor increases page on page. A brilliant read for anyone aged 11+, with the added benefit in being printed in Barrington Stoke’s dyslexia-friendly font.
The Beast From Beneath by Martin Howard, cover by Ray Tierney, illustrated by Pete Williamson
‘Mallory Vayle and her talkative skull, Maggoty, star in another fabulous adventure!
Mallory is getting to grips with her new powers and her new talkative friend, Maggoty. But when Maggoty sees a wig in Les Wigs shop, he just won’t shut up about it! It’s expensive, and no one seems able to pay Mallory properly for her cosmic services.
So her Aunt Lilith takes matters into her own hands, but in her quest to increase her own supernatural skills, she accidentally summons a Nightmare. It, inevitably, goes HORRIBLY wrong and Mallory must take a perilous journey into the bowels of Carrion Castle in search of the solution to Aunt Lillith’s problem… But it’s only when a bony fella with a scythe turns up (that’s Death – himself! – by the way) that she knows she and Maggoty are in for some terrifying fun and games!’
This brilliant series continues to deliver its trademark blend of deadpan dark humour and scares. The wealth of illustrations are a fantastic addition to this spooky story which is certainly not just for Halloween! 9+
Tomorrow’s Ghost by Tanya Landman, illustrated by Tom Clohosy Cole
‘Haunted by the past, can Anna rewrite the future?
1976: Twelve-year-old Anna, bored and lonely away from her friends for the summer, finds herself dreaming about a girl from 1919 – a neglected and lonely girl living in a mansion with an austere and unloving grandfather. As Anna’s dreams grow more vivid, she realizes that the girl from the past is calling out to her – and that Anna must cross time to save her from an untimely death…’
I’m always a fan of a good time-slip adventure. And this is certain a good time-slip adventure – a VERY good time-slip adventure! This would be a good choice for readers who like their stories ghostly and steeped in mystery. 9+
The King of Lost Souls by Maria Motúnráyò Adébísí, illustrated by Flavio B. Silva
‘Demon dads. Flaming warriors. Ghostly powers. Welcome back to Olori …
Koku Akanbi’s newfound ghostly powers have been wreaking havoc, landing him in detention and a whole heap of trouble.
Having to find a way back to Olori – his family’s homeland – is tough enough, but he is soon sent on a dangerous quest to find the three most powerful objects in the world. If that’s not enough, Koku is also faced with the biggest decision of his life.
With the fate of Olori in his hands, can Koku and his super-powered friends save the day before it’s too late?’
The second instalment of this series inspired by West African mythology sees a reluctant Kòkú returning to the U.K. This is an absolute thrill-a-minute read packed with powerful magic and full of wit. 10+
Stonewitch by Skye McKenna, illustrated by Tomislav Tomic
‘To complete the next step in her witch’s training, Cassie Morgan must invent a brand-new spell. However, she is struggling for inspiration – so she jumps at the chance to attend the Covenmoot.
Every five years, covens from all over Britain and Ireland meet to take part in a series of challenging games in the hopes of winning the Covenmoot Cauldron. Cassie and her friends travel to Glen Carlin, a remote valley in the Scottish Highlands, to take part. But menacing forces haunt the moors and rumours of the ancient Stonewitch swirl through the camp.
Cassie and her coven must work together to prove themselves in the Covenmoot, while long-hidden secrets come to light and the wicked Erl King’s power grows.’
This is the fourth instalment in the Hedgewitch series. I’ve really enjoyed following Cassie as she has worked hard to complete her witch’s training but we are starting to see self-doubt and darkness creep in. A very readable, relatable series which will have readers racing through the series and begging for the next! 9+
Midnight Treasure by Piers Torday, cover by Alla Khatkevich
‘Tibor is a werwolf, adopted by his guardian, a powerful vampir. He and his friend Roza are on the deadliest of quests, and one that will test their very immortality. And they’re not the only ones hunting for the Midnight Treasure. Battling with bears, wrestling with vampirs and racing against the clock, Tibor and Roza must decide who to trust. And whether they will dare reveal the secrets … of the Midnight Treasure.’
This is currently Waterstones’ Children’s Book of the Month, and deservedly so. Piers is the master of atmospheric world-building and devising rich plots to keep readers enthralled. I got absolutely engrossed in this and would recommend it to everyone! 10+
Well there you go everyone. I hope you’ve found your ideal book to curl up and enjoy this spooky season.
Jo.
*Many thanks to all the wonderful publishers who sent me these titles to read*
Library Girl and Book Boy 