An early look at fall-themed books for kids
As autumn approaches, I find myself leaning toward spooky or fall-themed books to make recommendations attuned to the season. The nice thing about all of these books is that (spoiler alert) all of the spectral hauntings are resolved rather peacefully. Here are a few of my picks!
“The Haunting of Henry Davis” by Kathryn Siebel
If you’re looking for a ghost story that isn’t too scary, you can pick up this book by Kathryn Siebel. “Haunting of Henry Davis” is told from the point of view of Barbara Anne, while it’s the secondary character, Henry Davis, who is being haunted. Henry is new to the neighborhood and is standing out because of how pale and small he is. Henry confides in Barbara Anne that he is being haunted by a ghost named Edgar, who makes a few scary-ish appearances throughout the book. Through some sleuthing, the pair work to find out who Edgar was when alive and how to put him to rest. Though taking place in the modern day, there’s a bit of am old-fashioned tinge to this story that makes it feel safe and cozy.
“The Haunting of Hounds Hollow” by Jeffrey Salane
A little bit more on the scary side of things, this book is great if you have a penchant for ghost animals, as it features a pack of ghost dogs haunting a property that’s the inheritance of one unlucky family. Moving from New York City to a small-town setting is jarring enough for our main character, Lucas. But adding to that a house reminiscent of the Winchester Mystery House (workers who never stop building,
second story doors that lead to a deathly drop outside, staircases that stop at the ceiling) makes for even more ... ambiance. Lucas has a mysterious lung and breathing illness that causes everyone around him to treat him like he’s fragile.
Add in numerous disappearances in town, a mysterious puppy who shows up in Lucas’ room, and a ghostly beast who haunts the woods to make a puzzle that calls for solving the question of what really happened to the family that lived in the house a couple
of generations ago.
“Camp Murderface” by Josh Berk and Sandra Mitchell
Finally, the highlight of my spooky late-summer reading is “Camp Murderface,” which is such a fun jaunt of a read!
The way the title comes into play in the plot is hilarious — and this book is funny, entertaining AND properly scary!
The story is told in alternating perspectives of Tez and Corryn, and I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic between Tez and Corryn, at which the two authors are *chef’s kiss* brilliant.
The characters complement each other so well. The setting of a camp in 1983 is fun and would make an good family read for parents who grew up during that time and their kids.
There are some pop culture references from that time that made me laugh and the colloquial phrases are worked in nicely, too. There is so much packed into this book that I couldn’t wait to find out what happens next!
At one point I read it before I went to bed and definitely felt a bit spooked, because truly scary things occur.
We’re talking strange, knotted wood that, when burned, causes ghostly specters to appear in the fire screaming; a lake that seems to pull one down into
“Camp Murderface” by Josh Berk and Saundra Mitchell.
it; and a legend of vampire ghosts. Tez and Corryn make a great mystery-solving team in this frightening summer
camp story.