Halloween is around the corner, so why not celebrate by reading a spooky book.
In this article you will find some suggestions, that is, if you are brave enough to read.
The Witches by Roald Dahl
This book is a must-read if you like to be spooked. The main character is a young boy who is fascinated by his grandmother Helga’s stories, especially the ones about witches. As a former witch hunter, Helga warns him of their evil. While on holiday in a luxurious hotel, he gets to meet the Grand High Witch herself. She puts a spell on him and he becomes a mouse. Luckily, Helga helps him devise a plan to do away with all the witches in the world for good.
You still have time to read this book before heading to the cinema on the 31st October to watch the film.
The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
This book is considered one of the best Halloween books ever written. It tells the stories of eight young boys who go trick-or-treating and run into the horrible Mr. Moundshroud, who, by means of his evil inventions, introduces the boys to Halloween traditions from across the world. This book will certainly make you shake in your boots.
By the way, the illustrations are to die for.
Witch Child by Celia Rees
If you enjoy reading diaries and feeling scared on Halloween this book will delight you like no other. It tells the tale of Mary Newbury’s grandmother who is hanged as a witch in a public square and how Mary herself tries to escape a similar fate because of her healing powers. Is she successful at hiding her true identity? You will have to read the book to find out.
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
The main character of this book, Sunny Nwazue not only looks different, she is different. She does not fit in anywhere. She has West African features, but is albino. She is a fabulous football player, but cannot play in the sun because of her condition. But when she discovers she has magical powers, everything changes. She becomes one of four magic students who study together to learn how to use their magic. The foursome set out to learn the whereabouts of a criminal who also knows magic. Have they learnt enough to confront this criminal? Read and find out.
Thirteens by Kate Alice Marshall
There is something eerie about the town of Eden Eld. It is believed that every thirteen years on Halloween, three 13-year-olds disappear. When Ellen, Pip and Otto start seeing strange things, such as very big black dogs with red eyes. They start wondering if they are going to be the next to disappear. This book will have you biting your nails from cover to cover.
The Haunting of Henry Davis by Kathryn Siebel
Henry is new at school. He is unlike other high school boys for he has a ghost named Edgar haunting him. Luckily, for Henry there is a girl who wants to help him and his ghost, she is called Barbara Anne. She and Henry decide to find out who Edgar was and why he is haunting Henry. You will not only get the answer to this question, but also discover what Edgar needs to travel to the other side. If you enjoy ghost stories this book is for you.
Article written by Carla Seixas
(professora de Inglês no Agrupamento de Escolas Dr. Flávio Gonçalves)