Shall I tell you a secret? My favorite series on this site is the seasonal family read aloud book lists. I thought maybe I had exhausted my options of themes, but I realized, a ha! How about a list of Halloween novels? The whole family can gather 'round a bowl of mini candy bars and listen to the matriarch or patriarch read a chapter book with a Halloween theme. Sound good? I thought so.
You should know I am not a horror fan. I don't like scary movies and I don't usually like scary books. To accommodate those of you with weak constitutions like mine, this list is separated into scary and non-scary Halloween books.
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What's your preference? Ghosts? Witches? Flying pumpkins? Spooky forests? I've got you covered.
Non-Scary Halloween Novels
These Halloween themed short novels are great for families with sensitive kids, and those with young children will also enjoy the titles on our list of Halloween Early Chapter Books.
The Little Leftover Witch by Florence Laughlin
Mischievous Felina is a young witch and one Halloween she breaks her broom and can't get back home. She spends a year with a mortal family learning all about what it means to be loved.
Jenny's Moonlight Adventure by Esther Averill
Jenny and her urban feline friends gather together on Halloween to hear a performance from nose-flutist Madame Butterfly. But, oh no! The nose flute has gone missing. I love the Jenny and the Cat Club series and your kids will enjoy these classic books that easily stand the test of time.
Little Witch by Anna Elizabeth Bennett
Published over 60 years ago, this book still enchants me. Minikin, a nine year old witch, wishes she were an ordinary mortal girl—not one with a witch for a mother. (I could make a joke about that, but I will resist.) Her current goal is to conjure up a fairy. She starts a real school despite her mother's prohibition against it, and makes a mortal friend, Frances. A book with lots of magic, kindness and old-fashioned fun.
The Witch Family by Eleanor Estes
Find it: Your Library | Amazon
Eleanor Estes (an author with multiple Caldecott honors to her name) penned this book about two seven year girls who create an elaborate story about an imaginary "Old Witch." They decide that Old Witch needs to start mending her wicked ways or else there will be no Halloween. The blurred boundary between reality and make-believe worlds is just what every child hopes for. Ages 8 and up.
The Worst Witch (series) by Jill Murphy
This series takes place at a boarding school for magic kids. In the introductory novel, Mildred begins her first year by getting a black cat and a broom. Poor Mildred, however, is not exactly the most skillful, coordinated witch in her class and her cat is a tabby! She mixes up potions and spells causing all sorts of chaos (and fun, of course).
The Little Witch by Otfried Preussler
First published in 1957, Preußler's The Little Witch has been released in translation by the New York Review Children's Collections. After she sneaks away from Walpurgis Night, the other witches take away Little Witch's broomstick as punishment. In order to get it back, she must exhibit witch-worthy behavior for a year. But the little witch finds out that she likes being a good witch much better! The way she manages to be a good witch in every sense made for a very satisfying ending.
Invisible Inkling: Dangerous Pumpkins by Emily Jenkins
Find it: Your Library | Amazon
I absolutely adore this series set in Brooklyn, and so do my two boys. This is the second book about fourth grader Hank Wolowitz whose invisible pet loves Halloween and decides to take charge of the holiday. Quirky, kooky and lots of crazy hijinks that will have your kids laughing out loud.
The Best Halloween Ever by Barbara Robinson
The chaos-creating band of kids from the classic, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, bring just as much mayhem to Halloween as they did to Christmas. When the Herdmans cause too much trouble with their mischievous ways and pranks, the mayor threatens to cancel Halloween. If what you really want is a funny Halloween book, this is the one to check out!
Earwig and the Witch by Diana Wynne Jones, illustrated by Paul O. Zelenski
I found Diana Wynne Jones’ final book fairly odd, but then so is the main character (you might expect the same from a girl named “Earwig”). Earwig was adopted by a very bizarre, but very magical couple. Shes hopes to learn magic, but is treated as a servant instead. However, the clever Earwig and a talking cat are soon able to outwit their guardians. This is for kids who love pure fantasy with odd-ball humor.
No Such Thing as a Witch by Ruth Chew
You could chose any one of Chew's classic Matter of Fact Magic series for a magical Halloween holiday read. Nora and Tad have a new neighbor who loves animals and whose delicious fudge has magical properties. But there's no such thing as a witch! Or is there?
Slightly Spooky and Scary Halloween Novels
Families with older kids will enjoy these scary Halloween novels. They vary in range of spookiness, but they are not for the easily scared! For more books in this vein, peruse our list of gothic middle grade novels! Check the age range for each book, they range from 8 and up to 10 and up.
Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery (series) by Deborah and James Howe
I remember all the kids talking about this book when I was growing up. It's told from the viewpoint of Harold the dog, which makes for some fun read aloud moments. Bunnicula is a vampire rabbit who sucks the juice from—wait for it—vegetables. Ages 9 and up.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls (series) by John Bellairs, illustrated by Edward Gorey
What would Halloween be without Edward Gorey illustrations? I'm sure I don't know. Add this 1973 classic to your read aloud list if you're looking for a weird and gothic Halloween mystery. The orphan (it's always an orphan, isn't it?), Lewis Barnavelt, goes to live with his warlock uncle in a great big house. Lewis discovers that the house's previous owners (evil as they were) placed a clock in the walls. A clock that was programmed to destroy all mankind. Dun dun dun. Ages 10 and up.
Small Spaces (series) by Katherine Arden
In this spine-tingling horror story, 11-year-old Ollie spends her time reading stolen books. She reads a ghost story about a "smiling man" who will grant a wish at a steep price. On a class trip, Ollie starts to believe the smiling man may be real. When her wristwatch gives her the warning to run, she and two classmates head towards the woods. Super, super creepy. Ages 10 and up.
The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright
This book scared the bejeezus out of me when I was a kid. I am still freaked out thinking about it! Amy hears mysterious sounds coming from her dollhouse at night and her Aunt Claire is exceeding distressed about the dolls. Amy wonders if the dolls have a connection to the murders of her great-grandparents. If your kids like a good scare, this is the book to read this Halloween. Best for families with kids ages 10 and up.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
This is a wonderful, beautifully written book, bittersweet and magical. Nobody Owens, or Bod as he is known, was supposed to be murdered the night his parents were. But as a toddler, he managed to escape. Now he lives in the graveyard where he is raised by ghosts. The narrative is formatted into small, episodic stories and makes a great read aloud, especially when the wind is whistling and the leaves are swirling. Gaiman's Coraline is another good read aloud choice. Ages 9 and up.
Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost (series) by Cornelia Funke
Find it: Your Library | Amazon
We read Funke's Santa book at Christmas, so it's only natural we would turn to her at Halloween, too! Nine-year old-Tom becomes an apprentice ghosthunter after finding a ASG (Average Spooky Ghost) in the basement. Lots of fun, and also a good independent read for kids ages 7-10.
A Tale Dark and Grimm (series) by Adam Gidwitz
In this subversive re-imagining of "Hansel and Gretel," a sly and snarky narrator offers warnings, observations and opinions on the action. The story, in which the siblings journey on to try and find a set of decent parents, somehow manages to merge eight different Grimm fairy tales into one cohesive tale. An engaging story, but not for the faint of heart. Ages 9 and up.
The Witches by Roald Dahl
When I was a kid, this is another novel that scared the bejeezus out of me. Other children may not feel the same way, but the whole idea of witches turning little kids into mice did not sit well with me. Perhaps your kids will feel otherwise. Nevertheless, this book has all of Dahl's wonderful trademark weirdness. Ages 8 and up.
Doll Bones by Holly Black
Three kids, Poppy, Alice and Zach have spent their childhood in make-believe worlds and adventures in which a bone china doll is The Great Queen. When Zach's father forces him to stop playing, Poppy says that the doll is actually made from the bones of a dead girl, Eleanor, and that the three kids must give her a proper burial so Eleanor can finally be put to rest. (Newbery Honor Book). Best for families where all the kids are ages 9 and up.
The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
This book oozes atmosphere and will remind you of a good Victorian gothic novel. It will be much too scary for sensitive children. The Night Gardener is a malevolent spirit that haunts the grounds of an old English manor house. Two Irish siblings, trusty Molly and courageous Kip meet the Night Gardener and become embroiled in the strange, creepy curse that envelops the place. Ages 10 and up.
Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega
Ortega's ghost story draws upon Dominican mythology. Despite the creepy themes, this story of friends, Lucely and Syd, who accidentally awaken evil spirits in their St. Augustine home also manages to be funny and sweet. Lucely's father runs a ghost tour business and when her grandmother's spirit disappears during one of the tours, Lucely and Syd hunt for a spell book to wake her up. Ages 8 and up.
A Properly Unhaunted Place by William Alexander
Rosa Diaz and her mother have just moved to Ingot, the only unhaunted town in the country. However, Rosa's mother is a library ghost appeasement specialist so Rosa doesn't understand why they have come to Ingot. Rosa and her new friend Jasper start to discover that reason Ingot is no longer haunted and they set out to restore the balance by letting the spirits back in where they belong. Recommended for ages 8 and up, only slightly spooky.
More seasonal read aloud books the whole family will love:
Amy // Sunlit Pages says
Your seasonal lists are MY favorite as well, and I'm so glad you added one for Halloween. This will keep us busy for several years! Just a few weeks ago, I discovered that Eva Ibbotson actually wrote several Halloween-themed middle grade books. We just started The Great Ghost Rescue last night.
Erica says
Oh, I saw one that she wrote, but I didn't read it. I didn't know there were several. I'll have to add them to our reading list!
Nancy says
Thank you so much for this. I was having a hard time finding non-scary Halloween books for 4-6 year olds. One I did find is Dixie O'Day and the Haunted House, by the wonderful Shirley Hughes. We love all the Dixie books. For 2+ year olds I love Humbug Witch, by Lorna Balian.
Erica says
Thanks for the recommendations!
Anne says
Any chance you have a printable list of scary and non scary Halloween novels?
Thanks!
Erica says
I'm sorry, I haven't had time to make one, yet!
Amber Wildman says
The seasonals are my favorite of all your fabulous lists. I am already eagerly awaiting the winter ones! We always start October with The Little Leftover Witch and always will. And the Best Worst family are just legendary in our house! There's another series you might like - The Charlie Bumpers series by Bill Harley. The Halloween one is my favorite - The Shrieking Skull, lots of laughs. There's also a Thanksgiving one, a start of the school year one, and lots of family events to celebrate.
Erica says
Thanks for the recommendations, so glad you like the lists! You don't even have to wait for the winter ones, check out the index of all the lists here: https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/books-for-kids/ Happy reading!