Welcome to our monthly book recommendations post for September! Last month we read some very spooky books, some not-so-spooky books, and some that aren’t really spooky at all. And we enjoyed each and every one of them!
Fiction
Shiver Point: Under A Howling Moon – Gabriel Dylan (pub. Piccadilly Press)
If you go down to the woods today – DON’T!
We are back at Shiver Point for Oli’s birthday camping trip in Howlmoor Forest, and it promises to be one they’ll never forget.
With Oli’s story of missing Scouts ringing in their ears, it’s not surprising that the Shiver Squad (or at least some of them) are on edge. Then Oli’s dad goes missing and some monstrous beast slashes the tent in the night. Unable to leave the campsite until they find Oli’s dad, it seems that the Squad have no choice but to search for him….in the forest.
Another seriously creepy story, with just the right amount of surprises that will keep you on the edge of your seat. We loved it!
Thanks to Amber Ivatt at Bonnier Books for the copy.
Lockett & Wilde’s Dreadfully Haunting Mysteries: The Ghosts of the Manor – Lucy Strange and Pam Smy (pub. Walker Books)
We’ve been eagerly awaiting this first book in a new series by the highly talented Lucy Strange and Pam Smy, and we were not disappointed!
Aunt Evelyn (aka Signora Valentina), Uncle Barnabus and Matilda Lockett (aka Little Edna – deceased) tour theatres with their spooky séance show. After one show, they’re approached by the owner of Beauchamp Manor who has a real ghost problem that she wants solved.
Flimflammery just will not do. Fortunately Matilda finds she really does have ‘the gift’ and, with her newfound ghost friend Edgar Wilde, sets about trying to solve the ghostly problem…and a few more besides!
With suitably eerie illustrations, this is a brilliantly hair-raising mystery about family, friendship, and unfinished business.
Dark Flood – Karon Alderman (pub. Orion Children’s Books)
This is a stunning debut by the winner of the New Writing North and Hachette Children’s Award 2022.
Set in the author’s hometown of Newcastle upon Tyne, Dark Flood is a gritty blend of family drama and timeslip adventure.
Written in the Newcastle dialect, which I soon got used to (although there is a glossary at the back of the book to help), we meet Archie, a talented but shy fiddle player who lives with his mam and much-loved Granda. While Granda is rushed to hospital and the weather turns, Archie has an encounter with the Robson Twins (notorious bullies) by the Victorian Tunnel. It’s there that we are suddenly tossed into a timeslip taking us back to the terrible mining disaster at Heaton Colliery in 1815.
With Archie, we are immersed into the stifling atmosphere of the trapped men and boys underground while, back in present day, frantic attempts are being made to find Archie in the worsening storm.
A deep, thought-provoking story about bullying, friendship and family, and how our history still matters. This is one of a handful of books that have recently covered mining in children’s fiction and it’s a very welcome addition. This title is printed in a dyslexic-friendly format.
Mallory Vayle and the Curse of Maggoty Skull – Martin Howard and Pete Williamson (pub. Nosy Crow)
Although Mallory is orphaned after her parents are killed in a coaching accident, she is not alone. Because Mallory can see the dead – though she would rather not.
Technically-alone in the world (except for the ghosts of her parents), she is taken in by an unknown aunt, who happens to be a bogus psychic living in a creepy mansion.
So begins the hilariously scary first book about Mallory Vayle and Maggoty Skull, the cursed but very talkative and vain skull of five-hundred-year-dead Matthew.
When Mallory’s parents are ghost-napped, it’s up to her to get them back…even if it means learning dark skills that only Maggoty can teach her.
Its wonderfully dark and creepy illustrations and the unlikely but fun pairing make this a must read in time for Halloween! Thanks to Nosy Crow for our copy.
Ministry of Mischief – Alex Foulkes and Nikolas Ilic (pub. Simon & Schuster)
Joey doesn’t find school easy, but with the help of her friends Marcie-Lynn and Sam, the team has a chance of winning the all schools diorama competition. Things don’t look so bright when she sees the dreaded Harry is there too though, as Joey and Harry do NOT like each other!
Throw in the mix three ‘bad luck’ monsters and anything can happen – and it does! When Joey and Harry are snatched by the monsters and whisked back to the Ministry of Mischief for the King’s snack, they will have to work together to escape. And Joey finds she’s not as rubbish as she thought!
A fun, fast-moving adventure full of weird monsters with fantastical names, and two children determined not to be eaten by anyone. We loved it and can’t wait for the next one!
Hallie and the Broken Ghost – Nadine Holland (pub. Tiny Tree)
A heartwarming and ghostly debut title.
Hallie is moving home …again! Hallie’s mum renovates houses to sell on, so they never seem to settle anywhere for long.
Mum’s latest project is a mouldy, dilapidated house that was very cheap, as it’s said to be haunted. Paranormal-crazy Hallie certainly finds it super creepy until she meets Gerry, whose ghostly attempts at haunting are interrupted by his nervous and smelly farts!
Hallie is determined to help the dispirited ghost with an extensive training programme, and maybe Gerry can help her find out what the mysterious archaeologist skulking around in their cellar is really up to…
A wonderful story of unexpected friendship, courage, and fighting for what you hold dear.
Non-fiction
An Illustrated History of Urban Legends – Adam Allsuch Boardman (pub. Flying Eye Books)
This non-fiction book is for teen readers, and packed full of interesting snippets that explore urban myths from around the world, and some of the ancient cultures they originally came from.
Explaining what an urban legend is and how they spread, it’s divided into five sections: Premodernity, Modernity, Midcentury, the Postmodern Era and the Metamodern Era, all stylishly illustrated by the author. It’s fascinating to see how stories in general develop over time, as newer myths lean into the changing societal landscape.
With a list of further reading and further viewing that contain urban legends, this is a great starting point for those interested in the many and varied urban legends out there.
Picture Books
Griselda Snook’s Spectacular Books – Barry Timms and Laura Borio (pub. Little Tiger)
An ideal picture book not just for Halloween, but also for all children who think ‘they’re not really into books’.
When Harry finds a key to a bookshop, he’s invited in by the owner, Griselda. When he explains that he’s not really into books, she tells him that he just hasn’t found the right one yet. Harry ends up helping out in the bookshop, from catching runaway plates to finding pumpkins for storytime, as well as helping the spooky customers find their perfect reads.
With lively illustrations in purple, orange and black, this is a perfect book for sharing, and seeing that there really is a book out there for everyone!
Old MacPumpkin Had a Farm – Katrina Charman and Georgie Birkett (pub. Nosy Crow)
Young children love the rhyme ‘Old MacDonald Had a Farm’ and will have fun joining in with this Halloweeny version – ‘Old MacPumpkin Had a Farm’!
With its spiders, bats, witches, and skeletons, its playful ‘Eek! Ahh! Eek! Ahh! Ohhh!’ line, and its bright, bold illustrations, this is sure to be a book children will want to share and sing over and over again. So be prepared before buying!
That’s it for September’s recommendations, with a spooktacular range of books perfect for reading this autumn! Let us know on Threads or Twitter/X which ones you like the look of!
If any of the books have grabbed your attention, then you can pick up a copy of them via our recommendations list below.
(Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.)
If you’re looking for more book round-ups, check out our previous reviews here.
