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.