This is a perfect time of year to spark your reluctant reader’s interest in books. Fiction filled with mystery and intrigue can easily capture the attention of kids ages eight and up. The titles I’ve listed toward the end are so engaging that if you share a quick summary or even read the first page aloud, they’ll likely be hooked. The first five selections are picture books ideal for ages four to eight, while the remaining books are best suited for readers eight and older.
*Hap-pea Halloween, by Keith Baker, is another charming addition to the “Pea” series, featuring delightful digital illustrations. In this playful rhyming story, the peas imagine all sorts of creative Halloween costume possibilities. The real joy of this small book comes from lingering over each spread; every pea is uniquely illustrated with personality and detail, sure to bring a smile to any reader’s face.
The Cafe at the Edge of the Woods, by Mike Please, is a delightful, cleverly rhymed story about a chef who builds her dream restaurant at the edge of the woods. She hires a small, adorable monster to help with serving and cleaning. Readers will laugh as they see who wanders into the café and what’s served in this wonderfully illustrated tale. The fun continues in the sequel, The Café Downwind of the Café, which offers a fresh perspective from the little monster’s point of view.
I Hate Everything, by Sophy Henn, features two ghosts interacting with one another. The larger ghost insists he hates everything, while the smaller ghost gently questions him, leading to a surprising change of heart. The illustrations are simple yet striking, set against bright, colorful backgrounds, and the text is equally straightforward. The large ghost’s deadpan expressions add a hilarious touch to this charming story.
Chicka Chicka Tricka Treat, by Julien Chung and based on Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault’s Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, is a rhyming tale with vibrant digital illustrations against a black backdrop. Here is a fun way to learn the alphabet with a fun rhyming text. (Simon)
Millie Fleur Saves the Night, by Christie Mandin, tells the story of Millie, whose town is afraid of the dark. To help them see its beauty, she releases the fragrances of her night-blooming flowers, drawing the townspeople to discover the wonders of her garden—crickets, lightning bugs, and all. The digital illustrations beautifully capture the glow of bright colors set against a serene nighttime backdrop.
Jasper Rabbit’s Creepy Tales: Troubling tonsils!, by Aaron Reynolds, with its wonderful and often hilarious illustrations, created through a mix of digital drawing and pencil on paper by Peter Brown, is a delightful early chapter book perfect for ages five to seven. It follows Charlie Marmot, who has his tonsils removed but decides to keep them to show his classmates. That’s when the creepy (and funny) trouble begins! This quirky story is full of silliness and great fun.
The Beasts Beneath the Winds, edited by Hanna Alkaf, is a captivating collection of stories from Southeast Asia, perfect for readers who enjoy tales of monsters, mythology, and the mysterious corners of our world.
The Wand Keepers: The Mummy Snatcher Curse, by Tiffany McDaniel, is the second book in the series, but you don’t need to read the first one to enjoy it, though after finishing, you’ll definitely want to pick up Book #1: A Sky Full of Dragons. In this adventure, Stella, a young witch, visits her aunt in Mummy City just as a new danger arises: the appearance of the Mummy Snatcher. With plenty of twists and turns, Stella must use her wits and courage to confront the looming threat.
*Mr Grieves and the Grievous Deeds, by Matt Lieberman, is the perfect read-aloud! When Mr. Grieves shows up to babysit Victoria and Ozzie, the siblings have no idea how much their lives are about to change. With his mischievous sidekick monkey, Mr. Grieves leads them on a series of wild, unforgettable adventures. This story is packed with thrills and humor, everything needed to keep readers eagerly turning pages until the very end.
Is It Real? The Loch Ness Monster, by Candice Fleming, is a surprisingly fascinating read that invites the reader to become a detective and investigator. This compact book challenges you to piece together clues, weigh the evidence, and decide for yourself what’s fact and what’s myth. Thoughtfully crafted and engaging throughout, it’s a compelling blend of mystery and discovery that both informs and excites.
The Doomsday Vault: Everwhen (School of Time Travel and other Odd Sciences), by Thomas Wheeler, is an action-packed adventure filled with time travel and the discovery of a secret intergalactic society. It all begins when Bertie accidentally creates a black hole in his bedroom, setting off a thrilling chain of events. This fast-paced page-turner will keep readers hooked right up to the very end!
Witchlings: Scepter of Memories, by Claribel A. Ortega, is the fourth book in this exciting series, but you can easily enjoy it on its own. However, once you finish this imaginative story, you’ll want to read them all! In this magical adventure, three friends discover that an evil force has entered their town, and it’s up to them and their powers to stop it. Enchantment and mystery fill every page. 
*The Tower at the End of Time, by Amy Sparkes, is a story that will take you beyond your wildest imagination! It follows a group of kids living in a magical house that can travel anywhere it wishes. But when the house gets the hiccups, it starts bouncing from world to world, leading to a series of thrilling and unpredictable adventures. Each destination is more exciting than the last!
For older readers ages twelve through adult looking for the perfect Halloween book, here are some classics: The Raven & Other Writings by Edger Allan Poe; The Legend of Sheepy Hollow & Other Stories by Washington Irving; and The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux.
