This Week in the Library...

This week, we're reading spooky Halloween Stories!

Third graders will be reading Bone Dog by Eric Rohmann.  You can see some of the great illustrations from the book at Macmillan's website.

Fourth graders will be reading The Widow's Broom by Chris VanAllsburg.  Find out more about this mysterious book at Chris VanAllsbrug's website.

Fifth graders will be reading an excerpt from Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn.  Find out more about the book and read a chapter online at Mary Downing Hahn's website.

This week in the library...

We're getting in the Halloween spirit with some spooky stories!

Third Grade will be reading Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown.

Here's a great video of illustrator Peter Brown talking about his inspiration for his illustrations.

Fourth Grade will be reading The Stranger by Chris Van Allsburg.

You can find out more about The Stranger at Chris Van Allsburg's website.

Fifth Grade will be reading The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing by Sheila Turnage.

Check out the book trailer for this book here:

#IYL Halloween

Leaves are on the ground and there's a chill in the air.  (Okay, so maybe not in Texas, but still...) It's almost Halloween!

To get you ready, here are my favorite Halloween stories!

This Week in the Library...

This week, we're celebrating fall by reading some spooky stories, as well as some books about the changing of the seasons.

Third Grade is listening to The Monsters' Monster by Patrick McDonnell.  Grouch, Grump, and Gloom 'n Doom decide to create the ultimate monster, but instead of terrorizing the nearby town, their creation has some other ideas in mind.

Fourth Grade is listening to some mysterious tales by Chris VanAllsburg.  In The Stranger, the Bailey family encounters a strange visitor who can't remember who he is.  In The Widow's Broom, a witch leaves behind her old broom that hasn't quite spent all of its magic.

Fifth Grade is listening to a book talk about Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn.  Molly can't seem to make a connection with her new stepsister, Heather.  Things get even stranger when Heather makes a discovery in the cemetery near their new home.

Video of the Week

Here's a fun story about a little dog who wants to find a SPOOKY costume for Halloween!  Happy Halloween, everyone!

This Week in the Library...

Last week, our library updated to a new automation system, which is going to be a great thing for our students, but which, unfortunately, also meant that the library had to be closed for a few days!  (Scary!)

This week, though, the library is back to normal, and I'm looking forward to sharing some creepy books with you to help us get in the Halloween spirit!

---

3rd Grade will be listening to Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds.  Watch the video below to see the illustrator, Peter Brown, discuss this book:

---

4th Grade will be listening to a parody of an old classic, Madeline.  This version isn't about twelve little girls, though!  It's about twelve little monsters, so, of course, it's titled Frankenstein!  Watch the book trailer below for a little preview:

---

5th Grade will be listening to selections from one of my favorite October reads, Beware!, which is actually a collection of scary stories by different authors.  The stories were selected by R.L. Stine, author of the Goosebumps series and master of horror!  Click on the book cover to browse the book!

Grab Bag Thursday: Halloween Bookmarks

Halloween is less than two weeks away!  Get into the Halloween spirit with these free Halloween bookmarks!

More Halloween Fun on the Web

Looking for more Halloween activities online? Try one of these sites!

• Carve Your Own Pumpkin (Without getting messy hands!)
• The Witch's Stew: Interactive story
• Pink and Purple Pumpkins: Halloween story read aloud for you
• CBBC: What is Halloween? Learn about the history of the holiday.
• History.com Find some short, informative videos and photo galleries
• Halloween Around the World How is Halloween celebrated in other countries?
• Halloween Hangman Can you guess the word before the skeleton is complete?
• PBS Kids: Happy Halloween Halloween-related activities from your favorite PBS shows
• 10 Stunning Pumpkin Carvings Some amazing Jack-o-lanterns
• Animal Planet: Happy Howl-o-ween Halloween goes to the dogs

Want more? Check out Larry Ferlazzo's Best Websites for Learning About Halloween