Series books get a bad rap. Newly minted independent readers LIVE for series books. As in any genre fiction, there are conventions to every series book– similar structure, predictable plots, characters who appear consistently (and can usually be described in just a couple of words) and character types that repeat (obnoxious jokester, daredevil, athlete, etc.)

These are great for beginning readers. They follow the familiar characters through a story that allows them to use their new skills to predict what happens next and solve a mystery or survive an adventure. Series books allow kids to put into practice the skills they have mastered to really become independent readers.

Are series books for beginning readers great literature? Most are probably not. But, while some of them drive me stinkin’ crazy (Geronimo Stilton, anyone?) some are really good, fun reads, occasionally informative, and with mystery, adventure, and suspense to grab any reader… and often, they include kids just like the ones who might be reading the books. And whether you or I like the writing style or the characters or not… these books are sticking around. Goosebumps and its related series, which aren’t included on this list, are now reaching a second generation of readers! Got a series reader looking for a Halloween book? I’ve got some lists for you. The first is a list of series that touch on scary or supernatural topics, usually with a generous dose of humor. Following that, I’ve got a list of Halloween titles from series you might already recognize on the shelf that you can hand to your favorite Geronimo Stilton fan. Enjoy!

Scary and Supernatural Series for Kids 

43 Old Cemetery Road: Dying to Meet You (book 1) by Kate Klise and M. Sarah Klise (grades 3 and up)

Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist: Flight of the Phoenix (book 1) by R.L. LaFevers and Kelly Murphy (grades 3 and up)

The Poison Apple Books: The Dead End (book 1) by Mimi McCoy. This series is written by various authors. (grades 3 and up)

My Sister the Vampire: Switched (book 1) by Sienna Mercer (grades 3 and up)

Scooby-Doo Readers, Level 2: The Map in the Machine (book 1) by Gail Herman (grade 1 and up)

The Hamlet Chronicles: Seven Spiders Spinning (book 1) by Gregory Maguire (grades 3 and up)

The Bailey School Kids: Vampires Don’t Wear Polka Dots (book 1) by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton (grades 2 and up)

Dragonbreath: Dragonbreath (book 1) by Ursula Vernon (grades 3 and up)

Tales from the House of Bunnicula: It Came From Underneath the Bed! (book 1) by James Howe and Brett Helquist (grades 2 and up)

Creepella von Cacklefur:  The Thirteen Ghosts: A Geronimo Stilton Adventure (book 1) by Geronimo Stilton (grades 1 and up)

If you have a series lover already and want to get them into the Halloween spirit, you are in luck… many popular children’s series have titles that are specifically targeted for Halloween or have a supernatural tie-in.

 Individual Halloween Titles in Popular Series Books

Geronimo Stilton: Cat and Mouse in a Haunted House (book 3) by Geronimo Stilton (grades 2 and up)

Ivy and Bean: The Ghost That Had To Go (book 2) by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall (grades 1 and up)

Stink Moody: Stink and the Midnight Zombie Walk (book 7) by Megan MacDonald and Peter Reynolds (K and up)

Magic Tree House: Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve (book 30) by Mary Pope Osborne and Sal Murdocca (K and up)

Junie B., First Grader: Boo! And I Mean It! (book 24) by Barbara Park and Denise Brunkus (grades 1 and up)

Bailey School Kids: Mrs. Jeepers’ Scariest Halloween Ever (Bailey School Kids Super Special #7) by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones (grades 1 and up)

Bailey School Kids: Aliens Don’t Carve Jack O’Lanterns (Bailey School Kids Holiday Special Edition) by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones. (grades 1 and up)

A to Z Mysteries: Sleepy Hollow Sleepover(Super Edition #4) by Ron Roy(K and up)

Dragonbreath: No Such Thing As Ghosts (book 5) by Ursula Vernon (grades 3 and up)

American Girl: Meet Molly, An American Girl: 1944 (book one) by Valerie Tripp and Nick Backes (grades 3 and up)

Piper Reed: Piper Reed, Campfire Girl (book four) by Kimberly Willis Holt (grades 3 and up)

Nate the Great: Nate the Great and the Halloween Hunt (book twelve) by Marjorie Weiman Sharmat and Marc Simont (K and up)

Cam Jansen: The Mystery At The Haunted House by David Adler (book thirteen) by David A. Adler and Susanna Natti (grades 2 and up)

Henry and Mudge: Henry and Mudge Under the Yellow Moon (book 3) by Cynthia Rylant  and Sucie Stevenson(K and up)

I hope you and your series reader find something here that works for a nice creepy Halloween read. Enjoy!