It’s that time of year again! Faux gravestones on front lawns, 5 pound bags of Kit-Kats for sale in aisle 9, and cheesy, censored versions of 1980’s horror films airing on basic cable. Oh, and classroom moms staying up all night to finish costumes, treats and crafts…………..
I love Halloween! I have so many happy memories growing up during all the wonderful October’s through the years. As a little girl, my Daddy made me the cutest homemade costumes. One year I was a box of Kleenex which won me a prize (my own walkman!) at the local Halloween parade. My Grandma always had a party for us kids and our friends after the parade, and she loved to dress like a witch. Then on one very special Halloween, when I was 20 years old, I met a very cute guy at a Halloween party. Now he’s my husband! I even got a darling jack-o-lantern tattoo this year to symbolize that special night.
While all these of these things are enough to get me in the mood for this fun holiday I still have to have a good old-fashioned ghost story! I’ve compiled a list of favorites from over the years to help get you in the mood too!
As far as the little ones go, we don’t want too-too scary, so I’d like to suggest the classic Gus was a Friendly Ghost by Jane Thayer. This classic first published in 1962, tells the tale of a ghost who befriends a mouse, has been loved by children for generations.
A new favorite here is A Halloween Scare in Pittsburgh by Eric James. The pages are full of fun scenes like a full moon and bats rising over Phipps. Ghosts and ghouls having coffee at Pamela’s Diner, witches playing baseball at PNC Park and trolls attracted to our City of Bridges!
For intermediate readers, I recommend Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz. You probably read these with your girlfriends at a slumber party in 1989, while listening to New Kids on the Block… Oh wait! That was me. I remember purchasing these (for the macabre pictures alone) in a trilogy from the book order service our teacher had for us. I saved up all of my allowance for these! The newer version has different, less scary illustrations but the stories – mostly compromised of handed down legends and folklore – are still delightfully creepy to this day!
Another new book in our house is Usborne’s Illustrated Ghost Stories. Not only is this book beautifully bound with a ribbon bookmark, it also has lots of great pictures and a large typeface making it perfect for young readers. The stories are quick reads and not too scary either. They are perfect to read aloud to a large group!
Older kiddos, the ones who are now devouring books cover to cover, will enjoy some of my own favorites from when I was their age. Even now as an adult I still pick these up again every now and then as the storytelling is smart and intriguing.
Wait till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn is a classic ghost story if I’ve ever read one. I remember picking this up at our school book fair. I judged it by it’s cover and was not disappointed. The story starts with a blended family trying to make a new life in the Maryland country side. Then Helen shows up and things take a dark turn. A movie based on the book was recently released. I can’t wait to see it!
Another book that kept me awake at night as a kid is Something Upstairs by Newbery medal winner Avi. This book has it all: ghosts, time travel and history – all combined with suspense, making this the perfect snuggle-up-in-a-blanket-on-a-cold-rainy-day kind of read!
(Parents – please note the that previous 2 books, while written for older children, do have themes of death and murder. Your guidance is advised.)
How about you, Mom? In the mood for goosebumps of your own? Just grab your phone and a glass of wine then “Google”: Pittsburgh Congelier House, Ghosts of Byers Hall at CCAC, Pittsburgh Playhouse or just Pittsburgh ghosts/folklore in general. Prepare to be scared!!!
I’m also including links to other chilling resources should you be so inclined to take a look…………
Children’s Ghost stories of the 1980’s
Ghost stories on Unsolved Mysteries
