15 Halloween Chapter Books for Kids in Grades 1-2

My love for Halloween has not always been stellar. In fact, I didn’t learn to appreciate the holiday until I started reading Halloween chapter books for kids. My oldest daughter loves Halloween, dressing up, and all things spooky and scary. Naturally, I let her pick out books that interested her at the library, and she always chose a big stack of slightly spooky chapter books. I rolled my eyes, grit my teeth, and cracked the first one open…and fell in love. Halloween chapter books for kids in 1st and 2nd grade were nothing like I expected them to be.

They were fun. And they still are.

As my kids get older, I’ve gained a (un)healthy appreciation for spooky middle grade novels and YA thrillers as well. But my kids and I still love reading slightly spooky chapter books. Here are some that we’ve enjoyed reading in 2019.

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Halloween Chapter Books for Kids

Weird Little Robots by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by Corinna Luyken

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Hands down, this is one of the best chapter books I’ve read in years! Penny Rose is the new kid in town and feels lonely. When she introduces her neighbor, Lark, to the robots she builds, the two girls create an entire world for them. But when the robots come to life, the girls face unexpected challenges. A secret science society, a jealous rival, and a kidnapped robot lead Penny Rose and Lark to overcome their differences and scare the bot-napper straight. This book is perfect for kids ages 6-8 who love stories about robots, Halloween, and friendship.

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The Underground Ghosts: A Super Special (The Haunted Library #10) by Dori Hillestad Butler, illustrated by Aurore Damant

This is the tenth and final book in a chapter book series about a supernatural kid detective. In the Seattle library, Kaz and Claire discover a ghost whose family went missing. The two amateur detectives decide to investigate, leading them to the city’s underground passages. If you want a long series your child can read over and over again, pick up this collection of not-too-spooky chapter books!

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Harriet’s Monster Diary: Awfully Anxious by Dr. Raun Melmed and S.E. Abramson, illustrated by Arief Kriembonga

If your child gets stressed, anxious, or nervous about new situations, this is a fun (and not scary at all) book to read. With an adorable monster front and center, it’s the perfect book for kids that like spooky but not scary stories. The thought of giving her report in front of the entire class makes Harriet feel sick to her stomach. She chronicles her hilarious adventures and mishaps in her diary, eventually conquering her nerves and giving a successful report.

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Marvin’s Monster Diary 2 (+Lyssa): ADHD Emotion Explosion by Dr. Raun Melmed and Caroline Bliss Larson, illustrated by Arief Kriembonga

This is the second book in Marvin’s Monster Diary series. While Marvin learned how to handle his emotions in the first book in the series, now he has a lab partner named Lyssa who needs some help. Luckily, Marvin knows what it’s like to have ADHD. He must help Lyssa get her emotions under control so they can win the Science Scare Fair. Just like Harriet’s Monster Diary (above), this is a highly illustrated, diary-style chapter book that is both monstrously entertaining and educational. If your child is dealing with ADHD or knows someone who is, keep this series on hand!

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Humphrey’s Creepy-Crawly Camping Adventure by Betty G. Birney, illustrated by Priscilla Burris

Kids that love cute and cuddly critters will enjoy this slightly spooky chapter book. Humphrey goes camping in Heidi’s backyard with her friends. At first, it’s a lot of fun, but when the boys next door try to scare them, Humphrey and the girls come up with a plan to stop their antics. If your child likes reading this book, then check out the rest of the Humphrey’s Tiny Tales series of chapter books for kids ages 6-8. The short stories, large text, and abundance of illustrations make this series perfect for kids in first and second grade.

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Boa Constructor (The Binder of Doom) by Troy Cummings

My kids loved the Notebook of Doom series that came out a few years ago, so they were thrilled to find out about this spooky chapter book series. The thing I love the most about this series is that it’s high-interest and fast-paced. Kids will be hanging on the edge of their seats as they read about the Super Secret Monster Patrol and their latest mystery. Construction equipment starts going missing all over town and the SSMP needs to figure out how to stop the monster behind the thefts.

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Bad Hair Day (Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist #8) by Jim Benton

My kids LOVE this series. It’s hilarious. Franny K. Stein is a mad scientist who performs outrageous experiments that usually go awry. In this installment, Franny’s experiment with beauty supplies produces some unexpected results! With her hair taking on a life of its own, it’s up to Franny to save the day. With plenty of hair jokes, illustrations, and wacky science experiments, Bad Hair Day is a welcome addition to this list of Halloween chapter books for kids!

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Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball by Laura Ellen Anderson

Can we take a moment to appreciate how utterly adorable this book cover is? The books in this series are on the longer side for a chapter book but have illustrations on every page and large text. Amelia begrudgingly attends her parent’s annual Barbaric Ball. But when her pet pumpkin is kidnapped, Amelia and her friends ditch the party to rescue him. Amelia’s (mis)adventures continue in the second book in the series, Amelia Fang and the Unicorns of Glitteropolis. Kids ready for slightly longer stories will have a blast reading these funny chapter books!

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The Monster Squad (Junior Monster Scouts) by Joe McGee, illustrated by Ethan Long

“Dennis the Menace” meets “Hotel Transylvania” in this adorable Halloween chapter book series featuring the children of classic monsters—Franky, Vampyra, and Wolfy. These Junior Monster Scouts want to help people and earn their merit badges, but Baron Von Grump, the local curmudgeon, manages to thwart their plans every time. A lost kitten, a cheese festival, and giant rats populate the pages of this funny chapter book. The adventure continues in the second book of the series, Crash! Bang! Boo!

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Campfire Stories (Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol) by Andrew Miedoso, illustrated by Victor Rivas

Who doesn’t love telling scary stories around the campfire? Join Desmond, Andres, and their ghost friend Zax tell totally true and terrifying stories by the fire. Kids that love getting chills will gobble up this Halloween chapter book. This is the 8th book in the series, so if your child likes the spooky vibes they get from this story, check out the rest of the series as well.

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The Great Pumpkin Smash (Hardy Boys Clue Book) by Franklin W. Dixon, illustrated by Santy Gutierrez

Who has been smashing pumpkins? And no, we’re not talking about the band. After Frank and Joe sing their hearts out in a scaryoke contest at a Halloween carnival, they discover all the pumpkins in the pumpkin painting contest smashed to bits. In order to save the day (and the future of the carnival), they must track down the culprit. This Halloween-themed Hardy Boys chapter book is perfect for amateur sleuths!

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The Marshmallow Ghost (The Royal Sweets #4) by Helen Perelman, illustrated by Olivia Chin Mueller

If your kid likes a heavy dose of cute with their spooky stories, you’ll want The Marshmallow Ghost on your list of Halloween chapter books for kids. Princess Mini invites her friends Taffy, Frosting, and Gobo to the Royal Palace for a sleepover. But when Taffy suggests that the throne room in the tower might be haunted by the marshmallow ghost, the sleepover takes a spooky turn. This sugary-sweet Halloween chapter book is perfect for fans of Strawberry Shortcake and Sophia the First.

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Kitty and the Moonlight Rescue by Paula Harrison, illustrated by Jenny Lovlie

My kids are obsessed with cats, dressing up like cats, and pretending to be cats. I think this book was made for them. Kitty is a little girl who inherits catlike superpowers from her mother. One night, a cat named Figaro shows up at her window, asking for help. There is a strange meowing sound coming from the clock tower. Kitty and her feline friends must conquer their fears in order to solve the mystery of the meowing clock tower.

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The Missing Movie (Geronimo Stilton #73) by Geronimo Stilton

This is another series my kids can’t get enough of. Geronimo Stilton has been a staple in my house for the past six years. My kids are always happy to find a new book in this slightly spooky chapter book series. When a movie goes missing from New Mouse City’s first film festival, Geronimo and Hercule step in to solve the case. Fans of the series will love the latest squeak-tastic adventure with their favorite mouse detective.

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Ghoulia and the Mysterious Visitor (Book #2) by Barbara Cantini

If your child is into lovable monsters, the Ghoulia chapter book series should be on your reading list. When Ghoulia’s friends start showing up at her house, all carrying the same mysterious invitation, she’s confused. She didn’t invite them. But Auntie Departed is nowhere to be found. When one of her friends goes missing, Ghoulia and the rest of the gang race to solve the mystery before anyone else disappears. Kids will love this slightly spooky mystery!

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