Halloween Reads for grades 3-5

Happy Halloween!

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Fox and Hen Together

by Béatrice Rodriguez

Summary: In this sequel to The Chicken Thief, the chicken goes on an adventure when the refrigerator is empty and finds a surprise when returning home.

This wordless book’s illustrations depict interesting events. The illustrations are not extremely detailed, however, that may aid children in creating their own unique story.

Interest Level: ages 2-4

A Pet for Petunia 

by Paul Schmid

Summary: Petunia so desperately wants a pet skunk that she refuses to believe her parents when they say skunks stink.

This book is strange, but may be appreciated by young children. I was not especially fond of Petunia’s attitude, but children will find it humorous.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

 

Home Field Advantage

  by Justin Tuck

Summary: New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck observes that growing up with five sisters helped make him tough, and he tells of when twins Christale and Tiffany gave him an unforgettable haircut.

This is a mediocre story, but it is fun to see that a huge NFL star was once just a younger brother whose five older sisters made him tough. This book is most appropriate for younger children but may be enjoyed by older children who are fans of Justin Tuck.  

Interest Level:grades k-6

Reading Level: grade 2

One Rainy Day 

by Tammi Salzano

Summary: Scenes from a rainy day teach colors.

The illustrations of the shiny rain drops are superb! This short simple story is nice to read with children who have read many simple board books.

Interest Level: infant-age 4

Reading level: grade 3

 

Alligator Bear Crab: A Baby's ABC

by Lesley Wynne Pechter

Summary: Illustrations of animals from an alligator to a zebra, including such creatures as a loon, an urchin, and a vole, introduce the letters of the alphabet.

This book is not very creative, but will be enjoyed by young children first handling board books and young children who like animals. 

Interest Level: infant-age 4

Reading Level: grade 1

Cookiebot: A Harry and Horsie Adventure

by Katie Van Camp

Summary: When Harry and his best friend Horsie build a robot that can reach the cookie jar for them, it goes out of control and wreaks havoc around the city.

This book is great for pure entertainment. The story is sure to be enjoyed by children with a silly sense of humor.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

Halloween Beginning Readers

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Your Moon, My Moon: A Grandmother's

 Words to a Faraway Child

by Patricia MacLachlan

Summary: Although their homes are different, a grandmother in New England and her loving grandson in Africa share the same moon.

This is a sweet story about a grandmother and child. The illustrations are beautiful.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

ABCDrive!: A Car Trip Alphabet

by Naomi Howland

Summary: A car trip provides the opportunity to see or experience things for every letter of the alphabet, from "ambulance" to "zoom."

This alphabet book contains detailed illustrations. It is an ideal interactive book for asking children to find specific items on the pages. The text is limited to a label for each picture.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 2

Dream Something Big: The Story of the Watts Towers

by Dianna Hutts Aston

Summary: In Watts, California, over a period of many years, a man known to all as Uncle Sam spends his free time collecting broken bits of pottery, glass, and other scraps and turning them into a work of art.

This biography, told as a story, is an ideal read aloud. Uncle Sam’s life and accomplishments are interesting. The collage illustrations were appropriate, although I would have liked to see more photographs of his real work. This book may be used to discuss following one’s heart and dreams.

Interest level: grades k-6
Reading Level: grade 3

Are You Awake?

by Sophie Blackall

Summary: Persistent young Edward has many questions for his sleepy mother, many of which are answered, "Because it's night time."

This is a humorous story about a child with a case of the “whys.” The parent in the story is very patient. I would have told the child to go to sleep! This repetitive story is told in picture book format, but it is appropriate for beginning readers.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 1

My Dog, My Cat

by Ashlee Fletcher

Summary: A child points out the differences between a dog and a cat, but finds something they have in common, as well.

This book with minimal text is fantastic for reading one-on-one to young children. The story is ideal for teaching children opposites. The cat and dog often do opposite activities. For example, one will go up and one will go down.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1

The Rain Train 

by Elena de Roo

Summary: A young boy watches and listens as the Rain Train takes him on a ride past city lights, over rivers, and through tunnels one rainy night.

This story is bland, but the rhythmic text makes this book appropriate for use as a bedtime story.

Interest Level: ages 2-4

Reading Level: grade 2

Horror Stories for Grades 6-8

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Grandpa Green 

by Lane Smith

Summary: A child explores the ordinary life of his extraordinary great-grandfather as expressed in his topiary garden.

The presentation of this book is an interesting concept. The illustrations are mostly green and much different from many of Smith’s illustrations. I enjoyed this nostalgic book that explores that all relatives have a past and stories to tell. This book may be used to discuss remembering a grandparent in a positive way after initial grieving or after time has passed. 

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 3

Maddie's Monster Dad 

by Scott Gibala-Broxholm

Summary: Maddie loves it when her father plays scary games with her, but when he is too busy with work, she turns into a "Maddie Scientist" and builds herself a monster dad that she thinks will be more fun.

This is not a Halloween story, but reading it around this holiday is appropriate. The book is great for Frankstein or other monster lovers. The story is wonderful for a discussion on working parents, especially fathers. Though sad at times, the silly puns are comic relief to the subject matter. I enjoyed the twist at the end.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 3

Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life

of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal

by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

Summary: Retells the life of Bass Reeves, a former slave who became a deputy U.S. Marshal in the Indian Territory and was exceptional at tracking down fugitives and bringing them to justice.

Vaunda Micheaux Nelson was given the American Library Association’s prestigious Coretta Scott King award for this book. This biography is a great read during Black History Month or during an unsung hero discussion. I like the notes in the back; especially the comment that this book appears to be a tall tale but is true. For this reason, young advanced readers or young listeners with a long attention span may enjoy this Wild West tale.

Interest Level: grades k-6
Reading Level: grade 6

The Picky Little Witch

by Elizabeth Brokamp

Summary: Mama Witch tries to get her daughter to eat some Halloween soup before going out to trick-or-treat, but Picky Little Witch finds many reasons to refuse. Includes a recipe for soup.

This is a cute picture book about trying new things (namely food). Towards the end of the book, there is an amusing twist of events.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

The Three Billy Goats Fluff

by Rachael Mortimer

Summary: When Mr. Troll threatens to eat the three billy goats Fluff for being too noisy while going over his bridge, Mother Goat comes up with a plan.

I love this book! In this fractured fairytale, the traditionally-portrayed bad character, the troll, is the focus. I liked the goat mother who is strong and diplomatic.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters

by Jane Yolen

Summary: Two rambunctious monsters creep, gurgle, crawl, and tumble before falling asleep.

This a silly and fun book filled with onomatopoeia and told in rhyme.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

Horror Stories for Young Adults

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Night of the Pumpkinheads

 by Michael J. Rosen

Summary: Determined to make Halloween a frightening night of the pumpkinheads, the pumpkins transform themselves into a variety of scary monsters and then head for town hoping to terrify everyone they meet.

This is an excellent Halloween story. The illustrations are drawings and photographs of pumpkins the illustrator carved. It is most appropriate to read this story to young children, but older children may choose to look at the illustrations for carving ideas. This story is humorous because the characters are not frightened of the pumpkins. I thought some of the pictures were frightening!

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 6
Reading Level: grade 4

Purple Little Bird

 by Greg Foley

Summary: Purple Little Bird leaves his almost perfect purple home in search of a better place. Although Brown Bear, Yellow Camel, and others live in very nice places, none is quite right for him.

This is a cute repetitive story that can be used to discuss appreciating what one has. Also, a discussion on how too much of one thing is not enjoyable is warranted as well. Each character is a distinct color and lives in an area of that color, which makes it appropriate to practice identifying colors with young children.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

Mouse and Mole, a Perfect Halloween

by Wong Herbert Yee

Summary: As Halloween approaches, Mouse helps her friend Mole get over his fear and enjoy the holiday.

This beginning reader is a recipient of the American Library Assoication’s Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor award. This is a nice story of friendship that is most appropriate for first and second graders to read to themselves.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

Zombie in Love

by Kelly DiPucchio

Summary: When all his efforts to find a sweetheart fail, Mortimer the zombie decides to place an ad in the newspaper.

This book will appeal to both romantics and children with a silly or gross sense of humor. This book is great for celebrating Halloween or Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, the book is narrow compared to other picture books, which does not make it an ideal read aloud.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

What Am I? Halloween

by Anne Margaret Lewis

Summary: A rhyming text provides clues for the various Halloween themed pictures hidden under the flaps.

This is a terrific interactive book. The illustrations under the flaps have parts of the pictures sticking out on the page before; this makes it easier for little ones to guess what the picture is.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 2

The Big Wish

by Carolyn Conahan

Summary: A young girl tries to make a world record-breaking wish.

This is a well crafted story. The young girl in this story, Molly, initiates a generous offer to pick a town person’s wish for her big day. The people in her town overwhelm her with wishes. It is appropriate to discuss that good deeds can be hard to handle, but, in the end, are worth it. Conversely, it is appropriate to discuss not taking advantage of generous people. The ending implies that sometimes wishes come true, but sometimes we can make our own wishes come true.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

Halloween Picture Books

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The Haunted Hamburger and Other Ghostly Stories 

by David LaRochelle

A ghost father tells his children three frightening stories to help them go to sleep at night.

This is a humorous collection of a few short stories. Though the book is lengthy, if the stories are read separately, it is an excellent read aloud. The stories are meant to scare the children who are ghosts, but as a human, they are laughable. This is a wonderful book for students who want to celebrate Halloween but do not want to hear scary ghost stories.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

What's in the Witch's Kitchen?

by Nick Sharratt

Summary: The contents of the witch's kitchen are hidden by flaps that can be opened either to the left or right to reveal pop-up illustrations of either a delight or a nasty fright.

This is a really fun book and is great for celebrating Halloween. The story is fabulous for young children with a silly sense of humor or children who enjoy gross things.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2