Halloween Night



Last updated Monday, October 6, 2014

Author: Marjorie Dennis Murray
Date of Publication: 2010
ISBN: 0062012932
Grade Level: 3rd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Oct. 2014

Synopsis: Trick or treat! It's Halloween night and all are preparing, for a wickedly wonderful evening of scaring. With zombies and banshees and mummies galore, read this book once and you'll come back for more!

Note to readers:
•  The story reads like The Night Before Christmas.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What are the characters on the cover doing for Halloween night?
•  Does it look like a costume party or are they preparing for something scarier?

Vocabulary:
•  aflutter - flapping quickly
•  hordes - a great multitude
•  ghoulish - evil
•  grubs - the thick, wingless, often wormlike larva of an insect
•  parlor - a room used for the reception of guests
•  bevy of banshees - a large group of female spirits in Gaelic folklore whose wailing warns that a death will occur soon
•  gable - a triangular structure (as over a door or window)
•  giddy - silly
•  harpies - foul creatures of Greek mythology that are part woman and part bird
•  newts - small salamanders that live mostly in water

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What do the little green creepies put into each party bag? What would you put into a party bag?
•  What do Ogre and Olaf set out for the buffet?
•  Who are the "tricksters"? Do you think they will get tricks or treats?
•  Were there any guests at the party after the tricksters ran away?
•  Do you think this would be a fun Halloween party? Would you like to go to the party? Who do you think would enjoy it?

Craft ideas:
•  Make a haunted house with a fold-out door and windows. Use black construction paper for the house, yellow for the insides of the door and windows, and blue for the nighttime background. Draw spiders, witches, ghosts, and ghouls in the windows. Draw an iron fence and jack-o-lanterns around the house.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!