Spooky Season Reads

The highly anticipated sequel to This Side of Paradise-which Kirkus heralds as an an entertaining, suspenseful thriller-Paradise Lost delivers the same chilling scenarios and head-scratching secrets that fans expect from author Steven L. Layne. After a summer break, former wallflower Chase Maxfield returns to school with a new found confidence to match his sudden, yet classic, good looks. But Jack Barrett suspects something sinister is behind Chase's unexpected transformation, and his skepticism only grows as other eerie events occur. When Jack's grandmother is mysteriously poisoned, his brother disappears, and his girlfriend soon develops an interest in someone else, Jack becomes even more determined to discover the truth. Packed with action and off-the-wall incidents, this fast-paced novel invites readers on an adventure that builds momentum until the very last page.

Back for a new adventure, Bo the lovable black Lab is ready to solve another mystery and save the day once again. It's up to this tenacious pup to find the reason behind all of the wildfires sweeping the countryside in east Texas. Gathering evidence as he goes, Bo must find the culprit and put a stop to this perilous crime spree.

A sombrero-wearing Santa makes his rounds through the Mexican desert.

Originally written and published in 1970, the book is divided into two sections: one dealing with the Colonial Period (1723-1803), written by Samuel Wilson, Jr., and one on the American Period (1803-present), written by Leonard V. Huber.

Where in the world can children hear jazz, gospel, and blues and eat shrimp po� boys and strawberry snowballs? Jazz Fest in New Orleans!

This counting book for young readers offers a rhyming Halloween twist on the old camp song The Ants Go Marching One by One (also known as the tune When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again). It also shows little ones how to banish the monsters who sneak into their rooms.

When Mama Witch concocts a special Halloween soup for her Little Witch, she adds eye of newt, spit of bug, and hair of slug. But Little Witch turns up her tiny nose at the culinary creation. She prefers such sticky sweets as butter toffee, caramel dandy, and cotton candy. Can these picky eaters come to a compromise? Complete with a recipe for Halloween soup, this fun read is a treat for children and parents alike.

Watch out crows, this scarecrow won’t give up without a fight!

Every year, pesky crows throw a party in a scarecrow’s patch, gobbling up all the pumpkins in sight and leaving a horrid mess. Not this year! Jeb is determined to protect his pumpkins no matter the cost. Those crows are in for an unpleasant surprise!

Author and illustrator Jana Dillon conceived this as her first book. Originally published in 1992, the rollicking dialogue, glowing scenes of evening mischief, and a scarecrow family of unusual charm have all stood the test of time in this inventive tale full of the radiance and excitement of the Halloween season.