This Halloween, your preteen or teen’s interests may be shifting from cute pumpkins and cat ears to spooky ghouls and monsters. During this time, they may also be taking on more advanced books with complex plots and themes in school.
It’s a great opportunity to keep your growing reader engaged with literacy. After all, edgy Halloween books that tantalize preteens with mystery, suspense, and thrills are an easy way to keep them flipping pages.
For instance, fans of The Nightmare Before Christmas will love Long Live the Pumpkin Queen: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, readers will follow along as Sally, the newly minted Pumpkin Queen, adjusts to new her title. Sally is finally with her true love, Jack, the Pumpkin King, whom she adores. But she can't really say the same for her duties as his queen. But when she accidentally stumbles across the door to Dream Town, she sets into motion a new series of events that could turn her whole world upside-down.
Meanwhile, in The Ghost of Graylock, new kid in town Neil has heard rumors of the abandoned hospital, Graylock Hall. It's whispered in town that the derelict hospital is haunted, and Neil decides to check it out for himself. Armed with a flashlight and with his new best friend by his side, Neil explores the old building. But he never expected to bring something sinister back home with him.
The Nightmare King is the story of Shane, who is trying to evade the Nightmare King. But Shane can't stay awake forever, and gives in to his nightmares... but will he be able to retain the good in himself before he can defeat the Nightmare King?
Shop edgy Halloween books for preteens and teens below! You can find all books and activities at The Scholastic Store Online.
