There is no better way to get into the Halloween spirit in your upper elementary classroom than with some spooky picture books!
Kids love listening to their teacher read aloud any picture book. When October comes, getting cozy in the reading area with a good old-fashioned Halloween picture book is a great way to celebrate reading, continue building your reading community, and keep your students engaged and critically thinking.
While there is an endless supply of Halloween-themed picture books, not all will help your older students grow as readers, pushing them to think critically and practice reading strategies. After years of teaching big kids, I know what Halloween books work for upper elementary.
Below is a list of my favorite Halloween picture books that will get your students thinking, analyzing, and enjoying a wide range of stories.
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Be sure to grab the FREE Halloween printables to go along with these favorite titles.
1. Gustavo written by Flavio Z. Drago
This sweet story will have your students cheering on Gustavo as he learns the best way to make friends is to be himself, letting his interests shine through. This story truly shows how being shy can make you feel invisible. Reading this book will bring conversations about being a good friend into your classroom.
Use this read-aloud for lessons about...
- character traits
- problem and solution
- figurative language
2. The Widow's Broom written by ChrisVanAllsburg
This read-aloud is perfect for upper elementary! The story will have readers at the edge of their seat as they ask questions about the magical broom and make predictions on each page. This book tells the story of what happens to a witch's old broom when it loses its magic. Your students will be surprised by the ending!
Use this read-aloud for lessons about...
- descriptive writing
- asking questions as readers
- making predictions as readers
3. Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein written by Linda Bailey
This book is a must-read during October in your upper elementary classroom. This simple biography tells how Mary Shelley wrote the story of Frankenstein. It also describes how as a young girl she was a dreamer and used her imagination. These skills helped her become a famous writer that is known worldwide even hundreds of years after her most famous story was published. A truly inspirational tale.
Use this read-aloud for lessons about...
- how writers come up with ideas
- reading and writing biographies
- brainstorming, creativity, and using your imagination
4. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything written by Linda Williams
This is a fun read aloud that is perfect to practice any reading strategy, especially making predictions and summarizing. With a predictable format and an easy storyline to retell, students can easily summarize this story. This book tells the story of a an old lady who is visited by different things that are trying to scare her, but as the title says, she is not afraid of anything. Just when the reader thinks that she is about to be spooked, something clever happens! Will your students be able to predict the ending?
Use this read-aloud for lessons about...
- figurative language: onomatopeia
- making predictions
- summarizing
5. Hardly Haunted written by Jessie Sima
I love books written by Jessie Sima, and this one is no exception! This book tells the story of a spooky old house who does not want to be haunted...until something happens one night to change its mind. This is a quick, fun read that is perfect for the spooky season.
Use this read-aloud for lessons about...
- figurative language: personification
- descriptive writing
6. Stumpkin written by Lucy Ruth Cummins
Stumpkin is such a fun book to share! Poor stumpkin does not have a stem like the other pumpkins who are bought by families and turned into jack-o'-lanterns. Just when stumpkin gets down on himself, something amazing happens to him! This book will leave such a lasting impression on your students that when they go pumpkin picking, they will surely pick a stumpkin!
Use this read-aloud for lessons about...
- figurative language: similes
- story elements
- being yourself and loving yourself as you are
7. Hugo Sprouts and the Strange Case of the Beans written by John Loren
Use this read-aloud for lessons about...
- paying attention to fonts, illustrations, and sidebar writing
- theme, life lesson, author's message
- being yourself and loving yourself as you are
8. Bone Soup written by Cambria Evans
Use this read-aloud for lessons about...
- problem and solution
- dialogue
- compare and contrast lessons: compare to this version of Bone Soup or Stone Soup
9. Creepy Crayon (and series) written by Aaron Reynolds
Use this read-aloud for lessons about...
- problem and solution
- dialogue
- compare and contrast lessons: compare to this version of Bone Soup or Stone Soup
Take a look at the others in the series:
- Creepy Crayon {this is a student favorite...so easily relatable}
- Creepy Underwear {this one is hysterical}
10. Bonus Book Recommendation: The Spider and The Fly written by Mary Howitt
While this is not a Halloween story, it surely is perfect to read during the month of October as kids are focused on all things Halloween like spiders! This book is based on the poem by Mary Howitt and tells a cautionary tale about what happens when we meet flattering strangers. This book is perfect to discuss author's message and theme. We often refer back to this book throughout the year for different purposes.
Use this read-aloud for lessons about...
- problem and solution
- theme, life lesson, author's message
- rewriting the ending of stories
When it comes to Halloween excitement in the classroom, don’t ignore it! Instead, use it to your advantage. Grab one of these titles and watch student engagement and meaningful reading discourse skyrocket!
Looking for more meaningful Halloween activities for your students, like these Halloween Haikus?
Take a look HERE.
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