  | Happy Spooky Halloween! Author: James, LeBron | |
| Price: $19.08 | ||
Summary:
“Happy Hallow-EEK!” That’s what Zara and her friends scream as they walk into the Halloween Party the big kids are throwing this year at Hickory Elementary. Everything is spooky... a little too spooky! The vibes are so scary that Zara and the younger kids worry they won’t be able to have fun. Will the students--big and small--learn to work together to throw the perfect party?
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (-) (04/15/26)
Full Text Reviews:
Publishers Weekly - 06/08/2026 It’s fun versus fright as students work toward the best Halloween party ever in NBA star James and illustrator Landy’s lighthearted teamwork tale. Kindergartener Zara, portrayed with brown skin, can’t wait to get to school on her "second favorite day, right after her birthday-Halloween" and attend the party traditionally thrown by Hickory Elementary’s fifth graders. She’s imagining funny ghosts and candy galore, but when Zara and her classmates step inside the gym, it’s "spine-chilling, toes-tingling, terrifying," filled with hungry wolves, scary zombies, and more. The kindergartners make their case for a less scary setup, and kids from both classes, portrayed with various skin tones, join in to create a communal celebration that’s "a little fun and a little spooky." Though some of the messaging can sound didactic ("Halloween is about more than scaring others, it’s about having fun and being together"), conversational text harnesses the students’ good nature, while the festive visuals, featuring gloomy purples, fizzy greens, and bright oranges, will have readers making their own party plans. It’s a welcome invitation to enjoy both Halloween and "Hallo-EEK." Ages 4-8. (July) - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly used with permission.
