The Literacy Classroom | Stories for Halloween

Stories for Halloween

The Ride-by-Nights

by Walter de la Mare, illustrated by Carolina Rabei

Up on their brooms the Witches stream,
Crooked and black in the crescent's gleam

It's Halloween and a family is preparing to go trick-or-treating. Little do they know that up above them a coven of witches flies unseen through the starry sky...

Carolina's stunning illustrations beautifully illuminate Walter de la Mare's thrilling, magical poem, published as a picture book for the first time.

by Allan and Janet Ahlberg

The classic and beloved Funnybones by children's book superstars Janet and Allan Ahlberg.

In this, the first ever Funnybones book of all, we are introduced to the wonderful humour and fun of the much-loved series. The Funnybones books are a must for children just starting to learn to read - these funny skeletons are definitely not the scary sort!

Meg and Mog

by Helen Nicoll and Jan Pienkowski

Meg the witch and Mog her cat go off to a wild Hallowe'en party with all the other witches. The spell they cast goes off with a BANG! Meg and Mog is the perfect story for sharing or reading alone, and children love exploring the colours, sounds and shapes.

Groosham Grange

by Anthony Horowitz

A wickedly funny story by the number one bestelling author Anthony Horowitz, with brand new illustrations by Tony Ross. Sent to Groosham Grange as a last resort by his parents, David Eliot quickly discovers that his new school is a very weird place indeed. New pupils are made to sign their names in blood; the French teacher disappears every full moon; the assistant headmaster keeps something very chilling in his room... What's the meaning of the black rings everyone wears? Where do the other pupils vanish to at night? Most important of all, how on earth can David get away - alive?

The Ghost of Thomas Kempe

by Penelope Lively

The classic ghost story from Penelope Lively, one of the modern greats of British fiction for adults and children alike.

James is fed up. His family has moved to a new cottage - with grounds that are great for excavations, and trees that are perfect for climbing – and stuff is happening. Stuff that is normally the kind of thing he does. And he's getting blamed for it. But it's not him who's writing strange things on shopping lists and fences. It's not him who smashes bottles and pours tea in the Vicar's lap. It's a ghost - honestly. Thomas Kempe the apothecary has returned and he wants James to be his apprentice. No one else believes in ghosts. It's up to James to get rid of him. Or he'll have no pocket money or pudding ever again.

An iconic ghost story for children,

Moondial

by Helen Cresswell

Even before she came to Belton, Minty Cane had known that she was a witch, or something very like it...

Minty is the kind of girl who notices things. Pockets of cold air on a stairway. Cries on the wind. Ghosts.
On night-time jaunts from the house where she's staying while her mother recovers from an accident, Minty stumbles upon a moondial which takes her back in time. She finds Tom, a sickly kitchen boy, and Sarah, a girl with a birthmark who is only allowed out at night because her family think she has the mark of the devil...
Can Minty save her friends, or will she get stuck in the past...?

by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Andre Amstutz

The Ghost Train is one of the titles in Allan Ahlberg's iconic children's picture book series about skeletons, Funnybones. Despite being set in a dark dark house, this brightly coloured book is perfect for early readers!

"Whoo-ooo-ooo!" It's midnight at the station and the three skeletons climb aboard the ghost train for a spooky ride. But they discover something even more scary!

Ghost for Sale

by Terry Deary

A wardrobe causes all manner of mayhem in this great fun ghost story! When Mr and Mrs Rundle buy a haunted wardrobe to attract more customers to their inn, there are some unexpected results. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+

The Ghost of Grania O'Malley

by Michael Morpurgo

From master storyteller Michael Morpurgo comes "The Ghost of Grania O'Malley". Everyone knows the Big Hill is full of gold, and now the islanders are intent on cutting the top off it and making themselves rich. Jessie and Jake are determined to save the Big Hill but what can they do? A plan is needed, and fast. Could the ghost of Grania O'Malley, the pirate queen, be the answer? You don't know what you can do until you try.

The Ghost Dog

by Pete Johnson

When Daniel and his friends make up a ghost story about a terrifying dog what begins as a story turns into a nightmare... A spine tingling tale about a boy haunted by the monsterous creature he created in his own imagination.

Dial a Ghost

by Eva Ibbotson

'Get me some ghosts,' said Fulton Snodde-Brittle. 'Frightful and dangerous ghosts!'

Fulton has gone to the Dial a Ghost agency with an evil plan. He wants to hire some truly terrifying ghosts to scare his nephew Oliver to death. The Shriekers are the most violent and sickening spectres the agency has, but a mix-up means the kind Wilkinson ghosts are sent in their place. Now Oliver has some spooky allies to help him outwit the wicked Snodde-Brittles . . .

With beautiful cover illustration by Alex T. Smith, creator of the Claude series, Dial a Ghost is a wonderfully spooky young-fiction title from the award-winning author of Journey to the River Sea, Eva Ibbotson.

'You'll love this chain-rattling, blood-oozingly hilarious story' Daily Telegraph

Ghost Knight

by Cornelia Funke

Eleven-year-old Jon Whitcroft never expected to enjoy boarding school. He never expected to be confronted by a pack of vengeful ghosts either. And then he meets Ella, a quirky new friend with a taste for adventure...

Together, Jon and Ella must work to uncover the secrets of a centuries-old murder, while being haunted by ghosts intent on revenge. So when Jon summons the ghost of the late knight Longspee for his protection, there's just one question - can Longspee really be trusted? A thrilling tale of bravery, friendship - and ghosts!

A Dark, Dark Tale

by Ruth Brown

Children will delight in following the black cat's progress through the dark wood, into the dark house, and eventually to the surprise discovery at the back of the toy cupboard, in this mysterious, beautifully illustrated picture book.

The Worst Witch

by Jill Murphy

The Worst Witch written and illustrated by Jill Murphy is reissued with exciting new branding and format. The Worst Witch is the first in the bestselling children's series by Jill Murphy.

Hold on to your broomstick for magical mayhem! Jill Murphy's much-loved classic The Worst Witch is the original story of life at a magical boarding school, perfect for readers aged 5 - 9 years.

Mildred Hubble is a trainee at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches, but she's making an awful mess of it. She keeps getting her spells wrong and crashing her broomstick. And when she turns Ethel, the teacher's pet into her worst enemy, chaos ensues...

Haunted House

by Jan Pienkowski

Enjoy a tour of this spooky old house where a spine-tingling surprise lurks in every dark corner. Re-issued in its original full-size format, with four new pop-ups, this definitive edition brings the classic novelty to a whole new generation.

Winnie and Wilbur: The Haunted House

by Valerie Thomas, illustrated by Korky Paul

There are some unexplained happenings in Winnie and Wilbur's house. A smashed vase, collapsing curtains, and a shattered chandelier. Could it be haunted? Winnie reaches for her magic wand but things just get even spookier. It's a ghostly Winnie and Wilbur adventure! Korky Paul's intricate artwork is full of madcap humour and crazy details to pore over. The spellbinding new look of this bestselling series celebrates the wonderful relationship that exists between Winnie the Witch and her big black cat, Wilbur.

The Graveyard Book

by Neil Gaiman

When a baby escapes a murderer intent on killing the entire family, who would have thought it would find safety and security in the local graveyard? Brought up by the resident ghosts, ghouls and spectres, Bod has an eccentric childhood learning about life from the dead. But for Bod there is also the danger of the murderer still looking for him - after all, he is the last remaining member of the family. A stunningly original novel deftly constructed over eight chapters, featuring every second year of Bod's life, from babyhood to adolescence. Will Bod survive to be a man?

The Dragonsitter: Trick or Treat?

by Josh Lacey, illustrated by Garry Pearsons

On Halloween the night is full of strange creatures: witches, vampires, ghosts – and dragons. In their seventh adventure Eddie and Emily take their uncle's pet dragons trick or treating. But the dragons have quite the sweet tooth, and it's not long before things go ghoulishly wrong...

Spooktacular! (My Sister the Vampire)

by Sienna Mercer

Perfect for fans of Goth Girl, this addictive supernatural series is ideal for girls of 9+ to sink their fangs into…

Olivia Abbott is used to vampires . . . After all, her twin sister Ivy is one! But she’s never believed in ghosts. That all changes at the Café Creative Halloween party, when Olivia meets a beautiful girl who’s dressed in a strange red gown and behaving super spookily! Ivy isn’t convinced . . . until she learns the legend of the tragic Calhoun sisters, who died over 100 years ago. Could Franklin Grove be haunted? One thing’s for certain – the twins are in for their spookiest Halloween ever!

These kinds of situations only happen in My Sister the Vampire.

Vulgar the Viking and the Spooky School Trip

by Odin Redbeard

Vulgar's new teacher is called Otto the Bone-Cruncher and he's a proper viking! Vulgar can't wait for the school trip, to learn all about hunting and exploring and having adventures. But after a very VERY long walk and a tea of roasted slugs, Vulgar's not so chipper. It's getting dark, and he's a bit spooked. There are tolls in these hills...

The Biggest Pumpkin Ever

by S. Kroll

In a perennial Halloween favorite, a group of children meet two amiable mice who tend their growing pumpkin with such affection that it becomes the biggest one in memory.

Winnie and Wilbur: Spooky Winnie

by Laura Owen, illustrated by Korky Paul

Here's just the book to enjoy whenever you feel like adding a little spookiness to your life. Whether they are sharing ghost stories, turning back time, battling with mischievous wands, or getting ready for a night of trick-or-treating, Winnie and Wilbur bring their very own brand of muddled-up magic to everything they do.
Four hilarious stories featuring Winnie and Wilbur and a zany supporting cast. Korky Paul's exuberant black line illustrations complement the humour, slapstick, and moments of real drama in each story. 'Funny, mischievous, silly, and exciting. Great stuff.' Giles Andrea, author of Sir Scallywag and the Golden Underpants.

Daisy and the Trouble with Vampires

by Kes Gray, illustrated by Nick Sharratt and Garry Parsons

It’s Halloween and Daisy is going trick-or-treating for the very first time. In the dark . . . in the fog . . . with a VAMPIRE . . . armed only with a torch and some silly string. GULP!

The funny, spooky and totally troublesome new tale from the bestselling Daisy series.

Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror

by Chris Priestley, illustrated by David Roberts

Do you dare to read the Tales of Terror? A stunning and commercial new paperback package for this chilling collection of short stories, illustrated throughout by David Roberts and featuring a gloriously creepy new cover!

Uncle Montague lives alone in a big house and his regular visits from his nephew give him the opportunity to retell some of the most frightening stories he knows.

But as the stories unfold, another even more spine-tingling narrative emerges, one that is perhaps the most frightening of all. Uncle Montague's tales of terror, it transpires, are not so much works of imagination as dreadful, lurking memories. Memories of an earlier time in which Uncle Montague lived a very different life to his present solitary existence...

Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror

by Chris Priestley, illustrated by David Roberts

Uncle Montague lives alone in a big house and his regular visits from his nephew give him the opportunity to retell some of the most frightening stories he knows.

Witch Wars

by Sibéal Pounder, illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson

When Fran the Fabulous Fairy turns up in Tiga Whicabim's shed to tell her she's a witch, Tiga doesn't believe her. Or at least not until Fran points out that TIGA WHICABIM is actually an anagram of I AM A BIG WITCH and magics her away down the drainpipes to compete in Witch Wars - the competition to crown the next Top Witch of Ritzy City.

Filled with silly spells, delectable dresses, ridiculous riddles and a serious shoe problem, Witch Wars is a witch story like no other. Although if you enjoyed The Worst Witch, you'll love this too!