Summer is over and fall is finally here, which means it’s time to take full advantage of these fleeting days of cooler weather. The New Orleans Public Library has tons of great ways to make the most of the season, including these fun
fall reads:

In Apple Vs. Pumpkin: The Battle for the Best Fall Treat Is On! by Jeffrey Burton & Lydia Jean, young readers get to decide which classic fall flavor reigns supreme. Do you prefer pumpkin patches or apple orchards? Are pumpkin spice drinks superior to warm apple cider? It’s a tough choice for kids when both flavors make their case.

Break out your fuzzy socks and cozy scarves for Renée Kurilla’s It’s Fall! This celebratory book helps kids get excited for all their favorite seasonal treats and activities like cider, pies, corn mazes, trick-or-treating, and of course, Thanksgiving.

In Duncan Tonatiuh’s Día De Muertos Números/a Day of the Dead Counting Book, young readers learn about language and culture, while simultaneously practicing their numbers. Centered around a counting structure from 1 to 10, readers learn about Day of the Dead altars.

Show-How Guides: Pumpkin Carving! by Renée Kurilla & Keith Zoo is a great choice for creative kids wanting to stand out with their jack-o-lanterns this year. Readers learn to cut, scoop, and spook with pumpkins in both classic and unique styles with easy to follow illustrated instructions.

For middle grade readers craving a scare, R.L. Stine’s Stinetinglers: All New Stories by the Master of Scary Tales is just the ticket. Laced with R. L. Stine’s signature humor and a hefty dose of nightmarish fun, Stinetinglers is perfect for fans of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and Stine’s own Goosebumps books.

Graphic-novel enthusiasts are sure to love Ghost Book by Remy Lai. Inspired by Chinese mythology, this dark yet resoundingly hopeful graphic novel tells a tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the unseen world of ghosts. This captivating story, perfect for fans of Spirited Away, is sure to get kids in the mood for the spookiest season of all.

For horror-loving teens, try Infested by Angel Luis Colón, which tells Manny’s story as he moves from San Antonio to the Bronx. Just as he starts to settle in, Manny is forced to battle with a malevolent spirit targeting his new apartment.

Raising the Horseman by Serena Valentino is another excellent YA choice for thrill-seekers. The book follows Kat Van Tassel, who wants nothing to do with Sleepy Hollow’s ghostly history. But, when mother gives her the original Katrina van Tassel’s diary on the 200th anniversary of the Headless Horseman’s haunting, a new legend gets too close for her to ignore.

Night of the Living Queers: 13 Tales of Terror & Delight is a YA horror anthology that explores how Halloween is a night where anything is possible. Edited by Shelly Page and Alex Brown, each story is told through the lens of a different BIPOC teen about the Halloween that changed their lives forever.