Tag Archives: Halloween

GLOBAL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

Interesting, and perhaps slightly scary books for Halloween and beyond!

Broom for Two

Broom For Two by Jennifer Maruno, with art by Scot Ritchie, is a funny story about a Little Witch has is learning how to fly her broomstick. She always flies in circles and lands with a bump. The other witches laugh at her because her broomstick looks tattered and scratched. And when Little Witch goes for her flying test, she does not pass because her broomstick dips and doodles. But one night, when lightning strikes, Little Witch is the only one who hears Ramshackle Rat’s cries for help when his house is struck. And as she rescues him to bring him to her own home, her broomstick runs smooth as can be. The extra weight of a friend is just what she needed. A fun story for little readers, but also for those about to get their learner’s permit! ISBN 978-1-77278-320-9, Pajama Press

Zoom In On Zombies

Zoom in on Zombies by Kari-Lynn Winters and Catherine Rondina is a deliciously gross book that will appeal to elementary school readers. From explanations of our fascination with the walking dead, to unusual facts about animals, this book is chock full of stinky information. It even has lots of zombie jokes. The book looks at zombie behaviour of cockroaches and sloths. But it also has survival tips and fascinating tidbits about ecosystems. A good book to use around Halloween! ISBN 978-1554556083, Fitzhenry & Whiteside

Eli and the Real Live Dead Mummy

Eli and the Real, Live, Dead Mummy, written by Sam Fisher, illustrated by Judy Hilgemann, is a great story for kids who are collectors, dreamers or mummy scientists. Even better, it is based on a true event. Eli loves to explore. He climbs mountains and digs for treasure. But one day he has a bad fall and is taken to the hospital for x-rays. And there, to his utter surprise, he spots of real, live, dead mummy. But no one else sees it and no one believes Eli until the doctor brings him in for his x-ray and there is the mummy from the Royal Ontario’s Egyptian Display. It is also in for x-rays. And the kind doctor even gives Eli and x-ray image to keep. ISBN 978-0889957-305, Red Deer Press

Margriet Ruurs is the Canadian author of over 40 books for children. Her next title is Celebrations Around The World, Kids Can Press. Book her for author visits to your school, here:

www.margrietruurs.com

Mostly Ghostly Books

These not-so-obvious scary books are a treat to share around Halloween

In this column I share books with you that have global appeal. I hope to help you, in a quick and easy manner, to find the most fabulous books to share with your students. Of course, nothing is better than a read-a-loud – regardless of age level.

FROM FAR AWAY by Robert Munsch is a picturebook for the younger grades, co-authored by Saoussan Askar (age 9). She wrote to Robert Munsch, of Love You Forever fame, to share her story of immigrating from Beirut, Lebanon. She was happy to live in a safe place, but when Halloween came around she was suddenly confronted with ghosts and skeletons in closets. Munsch skillfully turned her scary tale into a funny one that highlights differences in cultures and the difference a caring teacher can make.

ISBN 1-55037-396-X, Annick Press

GHOSTS by Raina Telgemeier is a graphic novel. Its word choices and story content make this is a great story for slightly older readers. Catrina, her sister Maya who suffers from cystic fibrosis and their parents move to a new town. Catrina does not like it there. Nor does she like the town’s history full of ghosts, which is celebrated during Diá de los Muertos. Catrina is very hesitant to go out on Halloween night but she and her sister meet many ghosts who help change their perspective.

ISBN 978-0-545-54062-9, Scholastic 

SEVEN DEAD PIRATES is a great classroom read at any time, but particularly fitting around Halloween since Lewis Dearborn is moving into his great-grandfather’s dilapidated old mansion. The mansion, it turns out, is already inhabited by no less than seven ghostly pirates. Lewis ends up with seven rowdy room mates who depend on him to reclaim their ship so they can roam the seven seas again. In the process, Lewis has to face his worst fears. 296 page novel.

ISBN 978-1-77049-815-0

Finally, and coincidentally by the same author, a picture book that is perfect for older readers – including high school students. 

MARY WHO WROTE FRANKENSTEIN by Linda Bailey is the beautifully crafted background story of Mary who, as a little girl who learns to read by tracing the letters on tombstones. At age 19 she is challenged by Lord Byron and Percy Shelley to write a scary story. Mary Shelley ends up creating the most terrifying, and enduring, tale of all: Frankenstein. This gorgeous biography showcases captivating art by Júlia Sardá.

ISBN 978-1770495593, Tundra Books