The 2003 Halloween Book Sense 76 Top Ten

Here are the independent booksellers' picks for the top ten Halloween titles for the fall. This list of children's and adult titles was developed by Book Sense in collaboration with the Association of American Publishers' Get Caught Reading initiative. Look for more such lists in the upcoming months, and many thanks to all the independent booksellers who contributed a wealth of enthusiastic nominations for this list. Pads of the list are included in the September White Box mailing.

For a downloadable PDF file of the 2003 Halloween Top Ten, click here. For past Book Sense 76 lists, click here.

Deadlines for the remaining 76 lists for this year are:

• September 26 - November/December Book Sense 76
  
• October 3 - Winter Children's Book Sense 76
  
• November 21 - January/February '04 Book Sense 76
  

Book Sense 76 Editor-in-Chief Dan Cullen encourages all stores to contribute nominations for these three upcoming lists. Go to http://www.bookweb.org/read/6305 for a convenient online nomination form. For more information on the Book Sense 76 go to http://www.bookweb.org/booksense/seventysix/.

1. THE HALLO-WIENER, by Dav Pilkey (Scholastic, $5.99 paper, 0439079462) "Oscar is a wiener dog who can't wait for trick or treating, until his mother unveils the costume she made for him: a hot dog, complete with bun. Oscar puts up with his friends' taunts all night long until something very scary happens. Only Oscar can save them, showing what true friendship really is." --Elaine Sopchak, The Book Rack and Children's Pages, Essex Junction, VT

2. BUNNICULA: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery, by Deborah and James Howe; Alan Daniel (Illus.) (Aladdin Library, $4.99 paper, 0689806590) "For child as well as parent appeal, it doesn't get any better (or scarier!) than Bunnicula. Kids will know it couldn't really happen -- a Vampire rabbit? -- but the possibility appeals to their lust for creepiness. The wordplay and family dynamics ring true with grownups, and for a read-aloud the opportunities for voices brings out the thespian in any parent." --Cheryl McKeon, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park, WA

3. THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE, by Shirley Jackson (Penguin, $13 paper, 0140071083) "A truly spooky and classic tale by one of our most treasured authors is the perfect Halloween treat this year! When four people set out looking for spirits in an abandoned mansion, they get quite a bit more than they bargained for. This creepy story was the basis for two movies that didn't do the book justice, so be sure to indulge yourself with the real thing." --Beth Henkes, University Book Store, Bellevue, WA

4. IN A STRANGE CITY, by Laura Lippman (Avon, $6.99 paper, 0380810239) "A midnight grave scene, a diabolical murder, shades of Edgar Allan Poe and the rituals that surround him in Baltimore, and a mad book thief -- what could be scarier? This is our Discussion Club book for Halloween." --Barbara Peters, The Poisoned Pen, Scottsdale, AZ

5. THE SPIDER AND THE FLY, by Mary Howitt; Tony DiTerlizzi (Illus.) (Simon & Schuster, $16.95, 0689852894) "Tony DiTerlizzi has breathed life (and, alas, death!) into a creepy, classic poem by penning macabre, intricately detailed black-and-white drawings on silvery pages, creating the perfect backdrop for a spider's Victorian dwellings and a damselfly's flapper-inspired outfits. This book will undoubtedly spin a silky web around you at Halloween, or any other time of year!" --Alison Morris, Wellesley Booksmith, Wellesley, MA A Book Sense Book of the Year Honor Book

6. THE 13 BEST HORROR STORIES OF ALL TIME, by Leslie Pockell (Ed.) (Warner, $13.95 paper, 044667950X) "This collection includes Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, Bram Stoker, W.W. Jacobs' 'The Monkey's Paw,' Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery,' and eight more!" --Carolyn Chin, Books On First, Dixon, IL

7. THE LITTLE OLD LADY WHO WAS NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHING, by Linda Williams; Megan Lloyd (Illus.) (HarperTrophy, $5.99 paper, 0064431835) "A great Halloween read! Children of all ages love the fearless old lady. Younger children enjoy the repetitive actions that run through the story, while the older children love to guess the ending. A must read for a chilly Halloween night!" --Lisa Fabiano, Hearts & Stars Bookshop, Canton, MA

8. HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA, by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (Warner, $6.99 paper, 044661100X) "You cannot go wrong with the vampire novels of Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. Saint-Germain is the classic tragic hero, inhuman and ageless, watching those he loves die of old age, mortal disease, and human cruelty." --Kathy Magruder, Lee Booksellers, Lincoln, NE

9. BAT JAMBOREE, by Kathi Appelt; Melissa Sweet (Illus.) (HarperTrophy, $5.99 paper, 0688161677) "The best Halloween party ever -- bats come from all over to celebrate and have fun. The party goes on and on and on, but it isn't over 'til the Bat Lady sings." --Dinah Price, The Red Balloon, San Antonio, TX

10. A CHILL IN THE AIR: Nature Poems for Fall and Winter, by John Frank; Mike Reed (Illus.) (Simon & Schuster, $15.95, 0689839235) "A great collection of poems for young readers to enjoy on cold days. Whoever thought of witches needing thermal underwear on their late-night rides?!" --Erin Ostrander, Secret Garden Bookshop, Seattle, WA