Books That Will Fright and Delight!

We have selected our favorite books for this creepy season! We hope you enjoy our suggestions.

The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing by Sheila Turnage. Kathy Dawson Books, 2014.

Image from Amazon

Miss Mo LoBeau may be the most charming southern detective I have encountered! This book is the sequel to Turnage's Three Times Lucky, Mo's introductory story and equally amazing book. Mo is one half of the Desperado Detective Agency, along with her pal Dale. Together they tackle a possibly haunted inn, the new kid in town, and all the other every day problems a sixth-grade has to deal with. This book is so spectacular, I could not put it down!

The Game of Shadows by Hervé Tullet.  Phaidon Press Limited, 2013.

Image from eslite.com

This time of year leads us to think about what may be hiding in the shadows. Tullet's board book takes an interesting look at light and dark, and invites readers to play with the pages! Grab a flashlight, shut the curtains, and investigate the wonderful cut-outs that adorn each page. You may find that some shadows are worth exploring.




Ghosts in the House! by Kazuno Kohara. Square Fish, 2008.

Image from Amazon.

When a young girl moves into the big house at the edge of town, she discovers a spooky problem: her house is haunted! She takes a witty and unexpected tactic to deal with her specters. Her approach will have younger readers delighted with this ghost story.




Guys Read: Thriller edited by Jon Scieszka. Walden Pond Press, 2011.

Image from Goodreads.

Jon Scieszka is the founder of Guys Read, a group that encourages boys to read. In the second book of the Guys Read library, Scieszka has compiled ten stories that will make you squirm and shriek until the very end. 

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. HarperCollins, 2008.

Image from Goodreads.

This Newbery award winner begins with a murder, and ends with readers wanting more. Nobody Owens, or Bod for short, is orphaned and taken in by the inhabitants of the local graveyard. His new ghostly family teach him the way of the world, both now and as it was during their own lives. Bod has to try and make his way in the human world and leave the ghosts of his past behind. This book is now available as a graphic novel, as well.

 


If you are looking for some spooky series to read, we have you covered! Take your pick of over 70 Goosebumps books by R.L. Stine, the Creepover series by P.J. Night, or the Poison Apple books. Ask your librarian for more recommendations.


If you are looking for spooktacular ways to celebrate the season, we will be hosting several programs!

Trail Tale:
The Grafton-Midview Public Library and the Lorain County Metroparks are collaborating to bring you a new way to share reading and nature with your families!
All week long you can find pages from Click, Clack, Boo: A Tricky Treat by Doreen Cronin along the Beech-Maple Trail at Indian Hollow Reservation to read while you hike. Once you finish the hike, head to the Grafton-Midview Public Library and tell your librarians your favorite part of the story for a prize. Registration is not required.

If you would like to get extra wear out of your costumes, we will be hosting a Spooky Stroll to hike and read the Trail Tale at Indian Hollow from 1-2 PM on Saturday, October 25th.

The Great Pup-kin:
Join GMPL for a howlin' good time at this 4th annual event. Bring your dog in a costume for a chance to win doggone good prizes. Dog rescue groups promoting National Dog Adoption month. Adoptable dogs will be available. Meet your new best friend. Professional photographer Laura Bower will be on hand to take pictures during this event. Door Prizes, doggy goody bags and much more. Registration is required.

Monster Mash:
*Please note: we will not be having our regularly scheduled storytimes the week of Halloween. Join us on Wednesday, October 29th from 6:30-7:30 PM for a fun-filled night of stories, games, and creepy snacks. We'll monster mash at this Halloween bash. Coming in costumes would be wise, you don't want to be caught without a disguise! 

Fresh Picks! October

Happy October! Here are some of our current new and favorite books:


Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas by Lynne Cox. Schwartz & Wade, 2014. 

Image from Goodreads

Based on a true story, Elizabeth the elephant seal isn't like any other seal. Instead of the enjoying ocean life like most of her species, Elizabeth prefers the sweet, shallow waters of the Avon River in New Zealand. Despite the people of Christchurch's efforts to send her home, Elizabeth knows exactly where she belongs. 

Recipe for Adventure: Naples! by Giada De Laurentiis. Penguin, 2013. 

Image from Amazon

In the first title of De Laurentii's series, readers will discover a world of food and adventure. After being transported to different cities around the world, Alfie and Emilia find themselves in Naples, helping a boy named Marco shop for the best ingredients for the city's upcoming pizza fest contest. Not only do Alfie and Emilia get a taste of Italy, but a look into how food plays an important role in the feeling of home.

Mix It Up! By Hervé Tullet. Chronicle Books, 2014.

Image from Goodreads

An interactive journey full of color! Follow the artist's simple instructions and watch as colors appear, mix, splatter, and disappear. A wonderful book for deepening an understanding of color. 

Extraordinary Warren: A Super Chicken. By Sarah Dillard. Aladdin, 2014.

Image from Goodreads

 After becoming bored with mundane chicken life, Warren wants more! All he does is peck, peep, and eat boring chicken feed. Warren leaves his quiet farm to discover what makes him special, with some help from friends along the way. The simple text, speech balloons, and illustrations make Warren's story a blend between picture book and chapter book. A great pick for children beginning to read independently.

                                                       

All Hallow's Read

Sure, everyone loves to give and receive chocolate treats on Halloween, but what about giving books out to celebrate Halloween this year as well?

Find great posters to promote All Hallow's Read on the official website or around the internet. I found this adorable cat poster here!

  Neil Gaiman, beloved author of many amazing titles including 2009 Newbery- award winner "The Graveyard Book", dreamed up the idea for All Hallow's Read. What is All Hallow's Read? It is a Hallowe’en tradition. It’s simply that in the week of Hallowe’en, or on the night itself, you give someone a scary book. Easy, right? Check out the official website, full of cool downloads and resources, here .

 You can give out new books, used books, books you have lying in your basement, comic books or  books from your local library book sale. There is no wrong way to participate in All Hallow's Read! Be sure that you give out an appropriate scary book though. The little ones may be over the moon for a spooky picture book with friendly ghosts, while the tween set may like something with a little more bite. 

 Still apprehensive about what to give out? You'll find a list of librarian recommended titles for various ages below.

For pre-schoolers and kindergarteners:

• Ten Little Pumpkins by Dan Yaccarino
• Ghost in the House by  Ammi-Joan Paquette
• Zen Ghosts by Jon Muth
• The Hallo-Wiener by Dav Pilkey
• Vampirina Ballerina by Anne Marie Pace
• Monster Stew by Mitra Modarressi

For 1-3 / 6-8 year olds:

• Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet by Lisa Desimini
• Halloween Night by Marjorie Dennis Murray & Brandon Dorman
• The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
• Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween by Melanie Watt
• The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman
•  Fluffy's Happy Halloween by Kate McMullan
• Clifford and the Halloween Parade by Norman Bridwell

For Grades 4-6 / 8-12 year olds:

• Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine
• The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver
• Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery by Deborah Howe
• The House with a Clock in it's Walls by John Bellairs
• The Witches by Roald Dahl
• Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark collected by Alvin Schwartz
• The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
• Doll Bones by Holly Black
• Coraline by Neil Gaiman
• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

For teens:

• Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr
• Don’t Turn Around by Michelle Gagnon
• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
• The Last Apprentice series by Joseph Delaney
• Dark Eden by Patrick Carman
• Heart-shaped Box by Joe Hill
• The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
• Carrie by Stephen King
• Any short story collection by H.P. Lovecraft or Edgar Allen Poe 

Download these awesome posters for free here!

 So what are you waiting for?  Go rummage through your bookshelves or stop at your local library book sale to pick up a spooky book to give out! You can give it to trick-or-treaters, your children or even your husband or best friend. The point is to celebrate reading books about the things that go bump in the night during this month of ghastly celebration so start incorporating All Hallow's Read into your yearly traditions as soon as possible.