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Kids books to scare, thrill

Halloween is Tuesday, and that provides an opportunity to still grab some fun “spooky” books for kids!

National Geographic Kids provides some spooky true stories with “Don’t Read This Book Before Bed” by Anna Claybourne (National Geographic, $14.99.)

From haunted castles to the Catacombs of Paris, to our local friend the Mothman (who apparently also hangs out at Cornwall England) and Robert the doll, scary stories and urban legends, along with photo illustrations fill this book. There is also straight up facts, for example, about sleep paralysis and night terrors that actually happen.

For older kids who may like spooky ‘true’ stories this will entice, but could legitimately scare younger ones.

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Spooky dolls and a mystery surround pre-teen girls in “Ruby and Olivia” by Rachel Hawkins (Putnam, $16.99.)

Ruby and Olivia don’t have much in common except their best friends –Olivia’s twin sister, Emma. And then they have two things — both are stuck going to a community service day camp for troublemakers. Their project is to catalog the contents of an old mansion, completel with creepy dolls and slamming doors. Is the place haunted? Is someone trying to scare them? The will have to work together to find out!

A haunted house story that is really a story of friendship, this will resonate with readers while provide some spooky fun.

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Mysterious accidents are investigated in “The Library: Black Moon Rising” by D.J. MacHale (Random House, $16.99.)

Marcus, Theo and Lu work for the Library, investigating stories that don’t have an ending. And the accidents at a middle school in Massachusetts sure sound like bad luck or bad magic. Will they unravel the mystery before it is too late?

Middle grade readers who enjoy some mystery and scary elements will enjoy this one.

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