As Halloween approaches, it’s the perfect time to explore the spookier side of history. Instead of the usual ghost stories and pumpkin-filled picture books, this list offers books that bring real history to life with a Halloween twist—perfect for curious young readers. From eerie events to mysterious legends and haunted historical figures, these stories will not only give kids a taste of Halloween fun but also enrich their understanding of the past. These books are great for adding a little spooky history to your seasonal reading list!
Lila and the Jack-o’-Lantern: Halloween Comes to America
Cute picture book illustrating the Irish immigrant origin of America’s Jack-O’-Lantern tradition
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Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras
Story of the artist behind the famous Day of the Dead skeleton illustrations and their celebration of life
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She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein
Engaging picture book story about the creation of Frankenstein
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Eyewitness: Mummy
Deep dive into mummies from different historical cultures, including and beyond Ancient Egypt
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Vlad the Impaler
Biography of the infamous Vlad the Impaler, who inspired the Dracula character
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Who Was Edgar Allan Poe?
Biography of the author of famously spooky stories and poems
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Roanoke: The Lost Colony- An Unsolved Mystery from History
Engaging exploration of the Roanoke disappearance mystery
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What Do We Know About the Winchester House?
True story of a mysterious house
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The Mary Celeste: An Unsolved Mystery from History
True story of a 19th century mystery ship
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