Middle School Halloween Books

Are you looking for some middle school Halloween books to share with your students this year? I’ve compiled a list of 9 books perfect for sharing this Halloween season for both middle-grade and high-school students.

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Why picture books?

As you’ll see, there are three picture books on this list. You might be saying, “But these are for middle and high school students!” You’re right! However, picture books can be a great addition to your teaching, no matter the season or subject.

Not only are picture books accessible to everyone, but they can also help students learn more about different holidays or concepts. They tend to have fantastic illustrations and can help students analyze literary elements.

The picture books recommended are great accompaniments to other middle school Halloween books you might select for your students. For more reasons why picture books are great to use in the middle school classroom, check out this post: Using Picture Books in the Middle School Classroom.

Picture Book Recommendations

Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Peter Brown

This story follows Jasper Rabbit, who loves to eat carrots from Crackenhopper Field until one day, he begins to suspect that carrots are following him everywhere! Can Jasper uncover the truth about the creepy carrots? You can also check out the other books in this series: Creepy Pair of Underwear! and Creepy Crayon!

Boo! by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Michael Martchenko

Lance is determined to devise a plan to get the most candy out of his trick-or-treating this year. He decides to paint his face very, very scary. It turns out to be so scary that people fall over when they see it, leaving him their candy! But what is he going to do with it all? If you’re looking for a more Fall-specific book, you can also try Leaves!

The Dark by Lemony Snicket and illustrated by Jon Klassen

Young Laszlo is afraid of the dark, especially the dark in the basement. However, the dark is not afraid of Laszlo, and one night, it decides to come up to visit him. Will the dark be able to help the boy overcome his fear? You might also want to check out The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale by Canadian author and illustrator Jon Klassen.

Middle-Grade Book Recommendations

A Tale Dark & Grimm (A Tale Dark & Grimm, #1) by Adam Gidwitz

This story is a humorous and adventurous retelling of classic fairytales, as it follows Hansel and Gretel running away from home. Along their journey, they come across various fairytale elements from popular and well-known fairytales, adding commentary along the way that creates a slightly spooky – and hilarious – experience for readers.

This story is followed by In a Glass Grimmly and The Grimm Conclusion.

Nightbooks (Nightbooks, #1) by J. A. White

Alex loves to write horror stories, but one day, he is trapped in a witch’s apartment and must use his storytelling skills to survive and find a way to escape. This book is perfect for students who love mystery and scary stories and who may be keen on writing their own. If your students love this one, they might also want to check out Gravebooks, the sequel to this book.

Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories (Awesome Friendly Kid, #3) by Jeff Kinney

This collection of spooky tales is written by Rowley Jefferson, a character from Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The stories share Rowley’s imaginative and humorous approach to horror and his creative storytelling. This is a fun and slightly eerie read for young readers.

Young Adult Book Recommendations

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, #1) by Holly Jackson

This story follows Pippa, a high school student who decides to investigate a murder case for her senior project. The case involves a local girl who was murdered years earlier and the prime suspect, who was acquitted. Digging deeper into the case, Pippa uncovers shocking secrets about her community.

If your students loved this one, they might want to read the next books in the series: Good Girl, Bad Blood, and As Good As Dead.

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks

This graphic novel is about two high school friends who work at a pumpkin patch during their senior year. They decide to have one last adventure together before Halloween, navigating the festive activities and their feelings for one another.

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

This book by Canadian artist Emily Carroll is a collection of eerie and atmospheric graphic short stories. The stories combine folklore and unsettling imagery, perfect for fans of creepy and gothic tales.

A note about choosing books

When choosing middle school Halloween books, remember that not all students enjoy scary books. Therefore, be cautious when recommending certain books to students. While one student might love Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, another might not appreciate the dark drawings and scary stories.

Try to find middle school Halloween books that are spooky but not so scary that your students will have nightmares. The same goes for young adult books for your high school readers. While some might love a good horror read like Stephen King, others might be happy to read a book that just takes place during the season and isn’t necessarily scary.

Remember, all students move at different paces. That is why we must consider this when helping students find Halloween books.

Halloween can be a fun time in the classroom, and choosing middle school Halloween books can be the perfect addition to your celebrations. I hope this list helped you find some middle school Halloween books to add to your list.

If you have students who love mysteries, you may also be interested in Middle School Mystery Lessons. If you’re a teacher who’s at a loss for what to dress up as this season, check out these lists: Halloween Costumes for English Teachers and 10 Halloween Costume Ideas for English Teachers.

Lastly, Halloween isn’t the only thing to celebrate in the fall. If you’re looking for general fall lessons you can teach, check out Fun Ways to Celebrate Fall in the Middle School Classroom.