ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT, eight trick-or-treaters gather at the haunted house by the edge of town, ready for adventure. But when Something whisks their friend Pip away, only one man, the sinister Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud, can help the boys find him. "If you want to know what Halloween is, or if you simply want an eerie adventure, take this mystery history trip. You couldn't ask for better than master fantasizer Ray Bradbury," raves The Boston Globe.
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"I first read this about 15 years ago and until recently couldn't remember the title or author. The cover is what I recognized and I wanted to re-read it and see if it was as cool as I remembered it being. It is. Bradbury rocks. This is a real tribute to Halloween and to that childhood love and fascination with the holiday. Bradbury's creative weirdness is so fun to read and picture (I can see Tim Burton being quite inspired by this book. . . Edward Gorey too). There were brief moments when my interest began to drift a bit, but the finish is so interesting and cool that it makes up for virtually any lags that came before it."
— Jon (4 out of 5 stars)
" Great read for Halloween. Can't believe I never read this before. "
— Jo, 2/17/2014" I'm only giving this three stars because I read it soooooo long ago. It might deserve more. I don't remember much about this book, except it made me love Halloween even more than I already do--which is a lot. It is spooky but not gory; great for older elementary schoolers and perfect for October. "
— Melissa, 2/17/2014" A Christmas Carolesque journey in time to the origins of Halloween. Not nearly as satisfying as I'd hoped it to be. "
— Justin, 2/15/2014" I would probably give it 3.5 stars really. Bradbury's poetic prose does a wonderful job of capturing the essense of Halloween. I am not sure it is really a children's book as it was billed on Amazon. However as an adult I liked it. "
— Brian, 2/12/2014" Shared this with some of my fellow teachers this year. I think I might show the cartoon DVD next year to some of the students. "
— Lauren, 2/1/2014" I love Bradbury. But this book was a dud in my opinion. Which is probably why I hadn't heard of it before. The writing was too flowery and descriptive for my taste, bordering on boring and unintelligible. "
— Cristen, 1/31/2014" I love this book, Ray Bradbury is my favorite author! I havn't been reading it that much lately though:) "
— Milena, 1/19/2014" This is one of my favorite books from childhood. I loved the movie the made from this also! =D "
— Nickcole, 1/18/2014" This was a pretty good book. It was a little slow at the beginning but it got better at the end. "
— Crazy, 12/22/2013" A fun, quick read perfect for October, read aloud around the fire. Probably most entertaining for those aged 11-15 years. "
— Leah, 12/16/2013" I think I like this one, I have the cover tattooed to my leg. "
— Shane, 11/15/2013" Love this book tell you so much about halloween and the day of the dead also all Hallows eve "
— Morgan, 11/9/2013" The language in this story begs to be read aloud. "
— Tatiana, 9/19/2013" I found this with the adult Ray Bradbury books, but it should have been in the kids section. It could be well enjoyed by approximately 10 year olds, especially boys (there are no girls in the book) and may help them understand some about Halloween and Halloween iconography. "
— Emily, 9/15/2013" it's a kids book. get over it. i read it every halloween. "
— Alex, 9/3/2013" I Love this book! Ray Bradbury is kind of a twisted poet. I read this one and watch the cartoon EVERY halloween. "
— Karen, 8/16/2013" I have to say I'm a much bigger fan of Ray Bradbury's science fiction than of his regular fantasy/fiction, but this book has some interesting turns. I think it would be much more interesting as a children's book and would recommend it to "tweens." "
— Kelly, 7/16/2013" Read this every October....great for younger readers too! "
— Alice, 4/5/2013" Excellent book! It's the reason I love Halloween so much!!!!! A classic!! "
— Raymond, 3/25/2013" I really enjoyed this story about Halloween and other celebrations for the dead around the world. A story of death and dying and celebrations of ghosts and spirits. "
— Cheri, 3/18/2013" Read it again after many years and thoroughly enjoyed it. "
— Edward, 1/16/2013" This one is meant for a young audience. It's good and fun but not as compelling as much of Bradbury's other work. "
— Charles, 8/25/2012" Interesting way of learning about the origins of Halloween without scaring the kids too much. "
— Lisa, 5/5/2012" I love this book! The richness of Bradbury's language as he relates a history of Halloween as told by a spirit to a group of boys is magical and enchanting. This is the perfect book to read at Halloween! I'm not sure if he intended it for children or adults, but it can be enjoyed by all. "
— Krista, 4/20/2012" I love Bradbury. But this book was a dud in my opinion. Which is probably why I hadn't heard of it before. The writing was too flowery and descriptive for my taste, bordering on boring and unintelligible. "
— Cristen, 11/2/2011" Again I am in need for 1,5 stars. Not that I have anything against Bradbury, but I was bored by this. Maybe it works for younger readers, but I was expecting a bit more creepiness and less education. Also, he reused the mummies in Mexico :-) Have read about them in a short story before. "
— Jennifer, 10/27/2011" I like the idea of this book but the writing style wasn't for me. "
— Katie, 10/27/2011" It was fun to hear some of the history of Halloween through the adventures of a group of boys. Reminded me of my boyhood tradition of eating chili at the Wertz before going trick or treating. "
— Robert, 10/25/2011" Fascinating, haunting, and incredibly sad, but moving, I adore Ray Bradbury's voice, his prose reads like a fine wine. "
— Shayla, 10/22/2011" beautifully written. It is a brilliant spooky tale. Like caramel apples for the imagination... "
— Kendal, 10/15/2011" Amazing book, as a kid I would read it every year. The prose is some of the most beautiful I've ever read, and this new narration from Bronson Pinchot is pitch perfect. A joy to listen to. I might just have to return to it again next year. "
— Philip, 10/11/2011" Amazingly pointless! But I love it! "
— William, 10/9/2011" Un. Real. Gave it a 4 star (really wish I could do 4 1/2), only because it's not as tight as Something Wicked This Way Comes or The October Country, but still...doesn't matter. Bradbury = wordART. Period. "
— Kevin, 10/5/2011" One of my favourites. I try to read it every October. "
— Suzanne, 10/4/2011Ray Bradbury (1920–2012), one of the most popular science fiction writers in the world, wrote more than five hundred short stories, novels, plays, and poems. He won many awards, including the Grand Master Award from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, the O. Henry Memorial Award, the Benjamin Franklin Award, the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement, and the PEN Center USA West Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2000, he was the recipient of the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.
Kirby Heyborne is a musician, actor, and professional narrator. Noted for his work in teen and juvenile audio, he has garnered over twenty Earphones Awards. His audiobook credits include Jesse Kellerman’s The Genius, Cory Doctorow’s Little Brother, and George R. R. Martin’s Selections from Dreamsongs.