Halloween is a great time to read spooky stories. Following is a list of some fun and not too frightening books. The first three books are geared for ages 10 and up.

Monster Madness, by Dean Lorey, is actually a sequel to Monster Hunters . However, it's not necessary to have read the first book in order to understand this book. Charlie Benjamin is enrolled in The Nightmare Academy, where he discovers that he's not the only one with unusual abilities. But beware! There's a monster lurking about and Charlie is right in the middle of a potential disaster! This page-turner will most surely keep you on the edge of your seat clear to the very end. There's even some comic relief during some of the most intense situations that helps to lighten the pending calamity. This book is so good that there's talk about a possible movie.

Suddenly Supernatural, by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel, has seventh grader Kat Roberts trying to adjust to her new school, friends and becoming part of the “in-group.” Only now her life is even more complicated because she can see ghosts. And she's way in over her head when she decides to help one of the ghosts whom she has seen in her school. The print in this book is larger than usual, making it a faster read.

Tom Becker's Darkside is a suspenseful story that grabs you from the first page. Ricky is on a field trip but sits apart from his classmates because he's tired of the way they continually poke fun of him. But trouble is heading his way as he sees a strange man coming directly toward him. He attempts to get back with his class but is headed off by another stranger. Ricky will soon discover that he is about to enter a dark and different world.

The rest of the books are picture books that are good for all ages. The Monster Who Ate Darkness, by Joyce Dunbar, and illustrated by Jimmy Liao, is a good story to help little ones who are afraid of the dark. A monster, who is eating up all of the darkness, soon helps a young boy get to sleep.

And another story about a girl who is frightened is Who Will Haunt My House on Halloween? by Jerry Pallotta, and illustrated by David Biedrzycki. A young girl imagines what or who will haunt her house. But her fears are calmed when she dresses up herself to go trick-or-treating.

There's a rockin' party found in Boogie Knights by Lisa Wheeler, and illustrated by Mark Siegal. If this stompin' and swingin' story doesn't have you tappin' your foot, you're just not readin' it right! The 7 Jivin' Knights are partyin' at the castle and all sorts of creatures attend. The alliteration alone will definitely draw you into dancin'!

Spooky Hour, by Tony Mitton, and illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees, is full of brilliant color as the count down begins from midnight and fewer and fewer creatures seem to jump off the page as you near “0”. And the rhyming of this story will also have you moving to the rhythm.

Here are two fun parodies. One is a take-off of the classic The Night Before Christmas . Halloween Night, by Margorie Dennis Murray, and brightly illustrated by Brandon Dorman, is tremendous fun and begs to be read aloud. It begins with “… 'Twas Halloween night, and all through the house, Every creature was stirring, including the mouse.” The pictures are as fun as the rhyming story.

Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody, by Michael Rex, is a spoof from “Goodnight Moon.” It's time for the little werewolf to go to bed in the “…cold gray tomb where there's …two hairy claws and a set of jaws. And a loud screechy bat and a black hat…” This book will surely have your youngster smiling clear to the end!

The next two books are “find-it” books making them interactive and fun for all. The Best Halloween Hunt Ever, by John Spiers, has an easy to find lay-out making this book perfect for younger children.

Can You See What I See On a Scary Scary Night?, by Walter Wick, is the same author/illustrator who helped create the “I Spy” series and is filled with amazing photos as you attempt to locate items having to do with Halloween.

Cat Nights, by Jane K. Manning, is about a witch waiting for her 263 rd birthday so that she can turn herself into a cat. But can she — or will she turn herself back into a witch?

Vera's Halloween, by Vera Rosenberry, has many mishaps as Vera attempts to have a tremendous trick-or-treating night. But it does all work out in the end making this special night even better from the events of the night.