30+ Best Fall Books for Kids to Read This October
Reading together helps kids build connections between what they’re learning and reading about and the world around them. Great books can foster learning for kids of all ages. Sharing picture books at bedtime or reading your favorite chapter books aloud has amazing benefits for the whole family!
With that in mind, I’ve put together some of our favorite books to read during October. This list comes with a helpful printable you can take along to the bookstore or library as you choose what to read together this month. It’s the perfect way to encourage reading and help kids choose fun new books they might not have considered before.
As interest-led homeschoolers, we like to choose books with interesting characters and fascinating plots. Choosing books that line up with our favorite holidays, events in our lives, and the current season can make it more interesting too. Plus, it’s fun!
There are so many fun holidays and things to celebrate this month! Check out our October book list featuring engrossing books for kids of all ages for the harvest season and Halloween.
The Best Books For Every Month This Year!
If you love books that inspire kids to be inquisitive and use their imaginations, you’re going to love this printable list! I’ve gathered together 30 wonderful books you’ll want to add to your TBR list this October. The list includes picture books with beautiful illustrations, chapter books with captivating new characters, and clever graphic novels you won’t be able to put down!
Grab my printable October book list and go searching for some of our favorite titles at your local library or bookshop. We know these books will encourage your whole family to fall in love with reading!
31+ October Books for Kids of All Ages
This curated list of October books has titles for kids from preschool through high school. You’ll find captivating books to teach your kids about history and geography, spooky Halloween novels, and silly read-alouds about ghosts and pumpkins young readers. There’s something for every reader on this printable book list!
Bonaparte Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler
This clever October picture book will have your children laughing as Bonaparte the skeleton falls apart and pulls himself back together again and again. Bonaparte Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler provides kids with a reminder that we can all count on our loved ones to get us through difficult seasons.
Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds
Laugh out loud with this temperately scary picture book by Aaron Reynolds. Creepy Pair of Underwear will give your whole family the giggles as you read about Jasper’s ghoulish green underwear and the lengths he goes to get rid of them for good.
Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest by H. A. Rey
One of our favorite Halloween picture books to read with young kids is Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest by H. A. Rey. This adorable book is filled with holiday fun for children as their beloved Curious George has fun “scaring” his friends with harmless antics. Plus, it pairs up nicely with the Curious George Halloween movie from PBS Kids.
How To Catch a Monster by Adam Wallace
Fans of Adam Wallace’s famous How To Catch a… series will love How To Catch a Monster. This bestselling monster story features lots of laughs, a brave little ninja, and STEM learning opportunities. It might even inspire you to build your own monster traps this October!
How to Make Friends with a Ghost by Rebecca Green
How to Make Friends with a Ghost by Rebecca Green is an engaging Halloween read-aloud all about what to do when you meet a ghost. From telling bedtime stories to sharing snacks, it’s filled with the tips you’ll need to make ghostly friends. You’ll love the charming illustrations in this October picture book.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown by Charles M. Schulz
Spooky tricks and funny treats come together in this beloved Halloween classic featuring Charlie Brown and the Peanuts crew. Could this be the year that the great pumpkin rises from the patch bringing toys to all the children? Find out together as you read.
Jackie’s Special Halloween by Brenda Castro
Halloween has different names in different parts of the world and it’s celebrated in unique ways. In Brenda Castro’s picture book, Jackie’s Special Halloween, meet two siblings as they learn about the Catholic celebration of All Hallows Eve. It’s a fun way to introduce kids to other cultures around the world.
Perfect Pumpkin Pie by Denys Cazet
When I think of pumpkin pie, I usually think of Thanksgiving. However, this not-too-scary picture book connects pumpkin pie with a very grumpy ghost. Read along as the main character, Jack, and his grandma try to appease the moody ghost of Mr. Wilkerson with the perfect pumpkin pie in Denys Cazet’s book, Perfect Pumpkin Pie.
Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell
Learn about the life cycle of a pumpkin in Will Hubbell’s picture book classic, Pumpkin Jack. As Tim’s jack-o-lantern begins to decompose, he watches it transform from pumpkin to seed to pumpkin again. This book will help young children learn about the cycle of life, nature, and change in a way that’s gentle and easy to understand. Pair it up with my Pumpkin Unit Study for more hands-on learning opportunities.
Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper
Keep the learning going this October with Helen Cooper’s award-winning picture book, Pumpkin Soup. Your whole family will love the beautiful illustrations in this October book featuring forest animals who band together to make pumpkin soup for a friend. Then, continue the learning by making pumpkin soup together in the kitchen.
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
Julia Donaldson’s classic Halloween picture book, Room On the Broom, is a favorite you won’t want to miss this October. It’s perfect for helping young readers build print awareness and reading comprehension skills as they try to guess what will happen next. Then, have a family movie night to enjoy the Room On The Broom film streaming on AppleTV.
Sam and the Samhain Scare: A Wheel of the Year Book by Kathleen Converse
There are many opportunities to explore other countries and cultures this October. Learn about the history of Samhain, a Celtic holiday that predates Halloween in Kathleen Converse’s book, Sam and the Samhain Scare: A Wheel of the Year Book. Sam and his friends learn to celebrate the pagan harvest festival of Samhain and discover it’s not scary at all in this cute book.
The Story of Halloween by Carol Greene
Introduce your family to the fascinating history behind Halloween with Carol Greene’s book, The Story of Halloween. The tale begins more than 2,000 years ago with a harvest festival in Europe and takes on new meaning as people become convinced that scary creatures roam the earth.
Today, Halloween means ghosts and goblins and trick-or-treating, but some ancient traditions are still part of the night. Learn more about them with your family in this charming storybook.
We love picture books. They’re filled with learning benefits for readers of all ages. However, if you’re searching for a chapter book for independent reading or something to read aloud throughout October, don’t miss some of our favorite novels this month listed below.
A Good Night for Ghosts by Mary Pope Osborne
We love Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Treehouse book series so much that we built a curriculum around it called Passport to Adventures. Her books are filled with facts about history, fascinating and magical adventures, and characters your kids will love. This October, travel to New Orleans to meet ghostly characters from the Jazz Age in A Good Night for Ghosts.
Castle Hangnail by Ursula Vernon
If you’re looking for a fun early chapter book, check out Ursula Veron’s Castle Hangnail. In the book, a 12-year-old girl named Molly decides to become a wicked witch. Your kids will love following along as Molly works to become wicked in this award-winning novel.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Are you interested in a spooky book for October? Read Coraline by Neil Gaiman. This modern classic children’s novel is a Newbery Medal Winner and a New York Times Bestseller. Follow along as Coraline travels to a strange dimension where she must save herself from a dangerous situation using wit and courage.
Greystone Secrets Series by Margaret Peterson Haddix
This 3 book series is perfect for reading through this October. Margaret Peterson Haddix’s Greystone Secrets series features three books: The Strangers, The Deceivers, and The Messengers. It follows three siblings named Chess, Emma, and Finn as they travel between different dimensions, solving puzzles and rescuing others. It’s just the right amount of suspense, action, and mystery to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Haunted Castle on Halloween by Mary Pope Osborne
I couldn’t pick just one Magic Treehouse book to include in our October list. Haunted Castle on Halloween is a must-read featuring Merlin the Wizard, Camelot, and a haunted castle. It’s part of the Merlin Missions books with more challenging adventures for children. Pair it up with our Passport to More Adventures unit study built around the Merlin Missions books for older kids.
Nate the Great and the Halloween Hunt by Marjorie Weinman
Fans of Nate the Great books won’t want to skip Nate the Great and the Halloween Hunt by Marjorie Weinman this October. It’s a fun early chapter book for young readers.
Get some quality family time together as you read aloud and solve the mystery using logic and critical thinking with Nate this Halloween. Plus, don’t forget to try the extra activities at the back of the book!
The Best Halloween Ever by Barbara Robinson
Did you love The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson? Then, don’t miss another hilarious adventure with the Herdmans this October! Check out The Best Halloween Ever to find out what happens when the 6 notorious Herdmans steal candy, spray paint other kids, and find a way to save trick-or-treating.
The Happy and Heinous Halloween of Classroom 13 by Honest Lee
The fifth book in the Classroom 13 series by Honest Lee is perfect for October. In The Happy and Heinous Halloween of Classroom 13, your favorite characters magically transform into the characters they’re dressed up as for Halloween! What could go wrong when kids become zombies, monsters, and vampires? Laugh together as you read aloud to find out!
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare is a Newberry Medal-winning book about a girl who is accused of witchcraft in 17th-century Connecticut. This historical fiction book teaches children about the very real prejudices and dangers women faced when accused of witchcraft in the American colonies.
The Witches by Roald Dahl
If you’re looking for a mildly scary novel to introduce your young readers to the fun of magical spooky stories, read Roald Dahl’s The Witches. This hilariously scary book is about some very dangerous witches who might be a bit different than the ones you’ve heard about before. Don’t worry, you’ll learn how to spot them and follow along as the main character stops them from turning all the children into mice.
What Were the Salem Witch Trials? by Joan Holub
We love learning about history through the What Was? Who Was? books. In Joan Holub’s book, What Were the Salem Witch Trials? kids will get to explore this moment in American history. Don’t miss our Salem Witch Trials Mini Unit Study to learn more about the hysteria that swept Massachusetts in 1692 with your kids this October.
An Outbreak of Witchcraft by Deborah Noyes
An Outbreak of Witchcraft by Deborah Noyes is also about the Salem Witch Trials. This graphic novel shares details from the trials and tells the story of the widespread panic that swept through Salem as Abigail Williams and Betty Paris began accusing community members of witchcraft in a way that only a graphic novel can.
Double Down Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 11 by Jeff Kinney
Fans of Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series will enjoy Double Down this October. Read along as Greg discovers he can be good at things other than video games and embarks on a quest to prove he’s got talent by filming a scary movie with his best friend Rowley.
Goosebumps Graphic Novel Series by R. L. Stine
If you loved R. L. Stine’s Goosebumps series growing up, you might enjoy reading the Goosebumps graphic novels this October. These books make a great introduction to horror novels for middle school readers since they almost always turn out okay in the end. Some of the favorite titles in this graphic novel version of the popular series include The Werewolf of Fever Swamp, The Scarecrow Walks At Midnight, and The Abominable Snowman of Pasadena.
History Smashers: Plagues and Pandemics by Kate Messner
Nonfiction graphic novels make exploring moments in history and science lots of fun for kids. Check out Kate Messner’s History Smashers: Plagues and Pandemics to learn more about plagues, pandemics, and germ theory from the Black Death to COVID-19 this October.
History Smashers: The Salem Witch Trials by Kate Messner
Then, learn more about The Salem Witch Trials with another book in the History Smashers series, History Smashers: The Salem Witch Trials. It’s filled with facts in a narrative format that’s easy for kids to follow as they learn about the history of witchcraft and the importance of our modern court system.
The Incredibly Dead Pets of Rex Dexter by Aaron Reynolds
Aaron Reynolds, author of Creepy of Pair of Underwear, wrote the graphic novel The Incredibly Dead Pets of Rex Dexter for kids ages 8 to 12 featuring a whole new cast of characters. Follow along as Rex Dexter solves the mystery of Middling Falls Zoo with the ghost of his pet chicken and a cast of wild animal ghosts haunting his room.
More October Learning Activities to Explore
Discover even more fun learning activities in our FREE bundle of October Homeschool Printables! These printables and activities are easy to take with you for learning on the go this October. If you have a favorite book for kids that isn’t on my list, please share it in the comments so we can all enjoy more fun read-aloud this October!