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Hall-Lore-Ween
Stay spooky, my friends!
Hall-Lore-Ween contains a collection of fun Halloween adventures and poems that the whole family can enjoy. With three short stories and four poems all themed around the spooky season, there is truly something for everyone. From the mind of Josh Spero and special guest author K.J. Davis, these tales aim to personify the very spirit of Halloween.
Hosted by Jacko, the Three-Eyed Jack-o-Lantern, each story tells a unique tale about overcoming adversity during the time of frights and delights. With plenty of twists and turns, this Halloween adventure book is perfect for readers who love a good scare but also appreciate a heart-warming story of overcoming obstacles and coming out stronger on the other side.
However, heed this friendly warning; after reading this book, you will not feel the same. You will feel as though the Halloween season has arrived. It will transform the air around you as you journey into the magic of the season. So every year, dust this book off, dim the lights, put on some spooky music, and let the eerie aura of Hall-Lore-Ween embrace you.
Hall-Lore-Ween contains a collection of fun Halloween adventures and poems that the whole family can enjoy. With three short stories and four poems all themed around the spooky season, there is truly something for everyone. From the mind of Josh Spero and special guest author K.J. Davis, these tales aim to personify the very spirit of Halloween.
Hosted by Jacko, the Three-Eyed Jack-o-Lantern, each story tells a unique tale about overcoming adversity during the time of frights and delights. With plenty of twists and turns, this Halloween adventure book is perfect for readers who love a good scare but also appreciate a heart-warming story of overcoming obstacles and coming out stronger on the other side.
However, heed this friendly warning; after reading this book, you will not feel the same. You will feel as though the Halloween season has arrived. It will transform the air around you as you journey into the magic of the season. So every year, dust this book off, dim the lights, put on some spooky music, and let the eerie aura of Hall-Lore-Ween embrace you.
- GenresHalloween
108 pages, Paperback
Published August 7, 2024
3 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 24, 2025
Hal-lore-ween is an absolute Halloween gem. It’s beautifully formatted with amazing illustrations that bring every story to life. Each tale is spooky fun, perfect for kids and just as enjoyable for adults who love Halloween. The poems were a lovely surprise and added even more charm to the collection. It’s not scary for adults, but it is completely enchanting. A visual treat and a storytelling delight. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to get into the Halloween spirit.
July 17, 2025
Halloween stories with a fun vibe. Not super scary, but they capture the spirit of the season. Some were more engaging than others, but overall a charming little collection. 🎃
I enjoyed the poems a lot!
I enjoyed the poems a lot!
October 15, 2024
An amazing, fun collection of halloween stories and poems. This is a quick read and is enjoyable start to finish! You definitely want to add this to your October tbr.
December 4, 2025
A quick 98 page read with a few short stories, a few poems, and some really cool illustrations, Hall-Lore-Ween is the author's attempt to create Halloween stories for little kids (as well as adults that never grew up, like me) and on that, he succeeds admirably. The stories are short with a bit of spook factor and a lot of charm, and they have (GASP!) happy endings! These would be great to read to your first through third graders, and the adults will get a kick out of them as well. Let's break it down!
The stories: three of them, the first involving a possible heritage witch, the second a town with a Halloween tradition/curse on the town, and the last with kids and werewolves. I definitely liked the second one best, and the ending was a real feel-good surprise. It kept me guessing the most. The first story was the closest to a traditional 'scary' Halloween story, and the ending wasn't quite as happy as the others. The last story works with the idea of 'a new kid trying to find his place,' and werewolves are involved. Adult readers will probably guess where the story is going, but remember, the target audience is kids, and they won't see it coming. And again, a nice, cheerful ending. All the stories are well done and utterly enjoyable. For me especially, this is a nice change of pace from the material I am usually asked to review.
The poems: hey, I'm no poet, and I know it. Get it? That's fellow reviewer Nova Hadley's department. To me, good poems rhyme. These poems rhyme. I enjoyed Shel Silverstein poetry, and I enjoyed the Hall-Lore-Ween poems, especially the 'Mr. Wolford' poem. OK, no more, I can't pretend I know doodly about poetry. Wait, yes I can: there was 'Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too' and their magic flying shoe! And, yeah, that's what I know.
The illustrations: Oh boy, pictures! I like pictures! And these are really cool pictures! Again, I have no art knowledge, I couldn’t tell you the difference between a Jackson Pollock and a finger painting, but I did like the black and white illustrations. The one of the kid with an evil-looking pumpkin head on page 48 was my favorite, and the one of the witch in the first story is a close second. I would have liked two or three illustrations per story instead of only one, they really added to the stories.
You will like these, and your kids will probably love em.' Purchase this one now, and save it till next October!
The stories: three of them, the first involving a possible heritage witch, the second a town with a Halloween tradition/curse on the town, and the last with kids and werewolves. I definitely liked the second one best, and the ending was a real feel-good surprise. It kept me guessing the most. The first story was the closest to a traditional 'scary' Halloween story, and the ending wasn't quite as happy as the others. The last story works with the idea of 'a new kid trying to find his place,' and werewolves are involved. Adult readers will probably guess where the story is going, but remember, the target audience is kids, and they won't see it coming. And again, a nice, cheerful ending. All the stories are well done and utterly enjoyable. For me especially, this is a nice change of pace from the material I am usually asked to review.
The poems: hey, I'm no poet, and I know it. Get it? That's fellow reviewer Nova Hadley's department. To me, good poems rhyme. These poems rhyme. I enjoyed Shel Silverstein poetry, and I enjoyed the Hall-Lore-Ween poems, especially the 'Mr. Wolford' poem. OK, no more, I can't pretend I know doodly about poetry. Wait, yes I can: there was 'Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too' and their magic flying shoe! And, yeah, that's what I know.
The illustrations: Oh boy, pictures! I like pictures! And these are really cool pictures! Again, I have no art knowledge, I couldn’t tell you the difference between a Jackson Pollock and a finger painting, but I did like the black and white illustrations. The one of the kid with an evil-looking pumpkin head on page 48 was my favorite, and the one of the witch in the first story is a close second. I would have liked two or three illustrations per story instead of only one, they really added to the stories.
You will like these, and your kids will probably love em.' Purchase this one now, and save it till next October!
September 15, 2024
Jacko, the three-eyed Jack-o-lantern brings us a handful of scary tales just in time for spooky season. Stories and poems that are for the strange and unusual! Hall-Lore-Ween is here…
-Halloween Night
Poem. Cute and spooky! Loved it
-They’re Calling
Cynnie is headed to her newly inherited Aunt Mildred’s house. She sadly passed away. Cynnie plans to stick around for a bit and not sell it right away. When she stops at a local diner she learns from the waitress that her aunts house is filled with evil and it’s not safe to go there. Cynnie suspects her aunt may have been a witch…
This was such a fun story! Loved the illustration.
-Mr. Wolford
Poem. Creepy and the illustration even more so!
-The Legend of Johnny Leopold
I adored this story!! I love a good urban legend tale. Johnny Leopold is wreaking havoc on a family years later after his passing. Yes Johnny Leopold was very real. The ending was *chefs kiss
-It’s Coming
Another fun poem. Zombie vibes!!
-New in Town cowrote with KJ Davis
Brian is the new kid in town and is hiding a supernatural essence within. He quickly comes to realize that he’s not the only one with a secret though.
-Cone In a Flash
Closing poem for this spooky collection! Every day is Halloween in my world too🎃
Thank you, Josh, for this paperback copy! I enjoyed all of my other goodies that came with the package for your giveaway that I won! I really enjoyed my time with these Halloween short stories and poems. The illustrations were awesome to look at and really made the book a fun experience!
June 20, 2025
Hal-Lore-Ween by Josh Spero is a wonderfully spooky collection of short stories and poems that captures the playful, eerie magic of Halloween—perfect for young readers who crave tricks, treats, and just the right dose of fright.
Each tale and verse brings its own flavor of fun, from mischievous monsters to haunted happenings, all told with a balance of humor and heart. Spero’s writing is imaginative and accessible, making this an ideal pick for kids ready to explore the spookier side of storytelling without diving into anything too scary.
Whether it's a young werewolf coming to terms with its affliction, a young woman realizing her family history of witches, or a ghost with a lesson to teach, every entry in the collection carries a sense of wonder and a love for folklore. The poems add a lyrical twist that gives the book a unique rhythm, making it a great read-aloud for classrooms, libraries, or cozy evenings leading up to Halloween.
Hal-Lore-Ween is a festive and frightfully fun read for middle-grade readers, or anyone young at heart who loves Halloween tales told with charm and creativity.
Each tale and verse brings its own flavor of fun, from mischievous monsters to haunted happenings, all told with a balance of humor and heart. Spero’s writing is imaginative and accessible, making this an ideal pick for kids ready to explore the spookier side of storytelling without diving into anything too scary.
Whether it's a young werewolf coming to terms with its affliction, a young woman realizing her family history of witches, or a ghost with a lesson to teach, every entry in the collection carries a sense of wonder and a love for folklore. The poems add a lyrical twist that gives the book a unique rhythm, making it a great read-aloud for classrooms, libraries, or cozy evenings leading up to Halloween.
Hal-Lore-Ween is a festive and frightfully fun read for middle-grade readers, or anyone young at heart who loves Halloween tales told with charm and creativity.
March 5, 2025
Hall-Lore-Ween is a fun, playful, engaging, and nostalgic book that expertly captures the essence of crisp, autumn air, pumpkin-flavored everything, and creepy, spooky time!
The book alternates between delightful, skillfully rhymed Halloween poems and plot-driven short stories that each serve different purposes. This shift in literary form and style keeps the reader entertained and creates a playful dynamic within the entire novel. With clever rhymes and lyrical uncanny, the poems provide a level of campiness and heavily assert the spirit of Halloween. The short stories, on the other hand, delve deeper into spooky, creepy territory while simultaneously exploring more serious topics that range from grief, loss, and revenge to healthy and positive familial relationships, the importance of being authentic to yourself, and the benefits of earnest friendships.
Hall-Lore-Ween is an eerily good time, and with an effortless writing style, beautiful art, and valuable lessons, provides ghostly entertainment for all ages!
The book alternates between delightful, skillfully rhymed Halloween poems and plot-driven short stories that each serve different purposes. This shift in literary form and style keeps the reader entertained and creates a playful dynamic within the entire novel. With clever rhymes and lyrical uncanny, the poems provide a level of campiness and heavily assert the spirit of Halloween. The short stories, on the other hand, delve deeper into spooky, creepy territory while simultaneously exploring more serious topics that range from grief, loss, and revenge to healthy and positive familial relationships, the importance of being authentic to yourself, and the benefits of earnest friendships.
Hall-Lore-Ween is an eerily good time, and with an effortless writing style, beautiful art, and valuable lessons, provides ghostly entertainment for all ages!
July 17, 2025
I finished reading Hall-Lore-Ween, and I can't recommend it enough! It is like a modern day Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark/Goosebumps collection!
The stories are great and keep both kids and adults engaged with clever twists. The humor throughout the collection is delightful and suitable for all ages, making it a wonderful choice for family reading time. There are also some extraordinary illustrations that bring the stories and poems to life.
What I love most about this book is that it sets the stage for a new family tradition. It's the perfect way to celebrate Halloween. It's a delightful blend of fun, creativity, and heart that captures the magic of the season. Highly recommend adding this to your spooky season reading list!l
The stories are great and keep both kids and adults engaged with clever twists. The humor throughout the collection is delightful and suitable for all ages, making it a wonderful choice for family reading time. There are also some extraordinary illustrations that bring the stories and poems to life.
What I love most about this book is that it sets the stage for a new family tradition. It's the perfect way to celebrate Halloween. It's a delightful blend of fun, creativity, and heart that captures the magic of the season. Highly recommend adding this to your spooky season reading list!l
July 23, 2025
It's never a bad time for Halloween stories and this collection features three tales of seasonal terror and some creepy poems along with some truly unsettling but oddly beautiful artwork to round everything out.
These stories are straight forward fright fest which give off all those goosebump inducing vibes that Halloween brings. We're talking witches, a ghostly local legend, and a werewolf story. All of them have twists and do these tropes a little different and thats always appreciated.
This is going to be an ongoing series and I can't wait to read more as book two is already on it's way. So do yourself a favor and get this one now and enjoy the scares early. I highly recommend it.
These stories are straight forward fright fest which give off all those goosebump inducing vibes that Halloween brings. We're talking witches, a ghostly local legend, and a werewolf story. All of them have twists and do these tropes a little different and thats always appreciated.
This is going to be an ongoing series and I can't wait to read more as book two is already on it's way. So do yourself a favor and get this one now and enjoy the scares early. I highly recommend it.
February 19, 2025
This collection is super fun and unique. Filled with short stories, poetry, and even art work! Which was an absolutely amazing touch to really bring these stories to life!
My favourite of the collection was the poem about the old man - genuine chills!
This would be great for children looking for a light hearted spook, or even adults looking for a reminder of those Goosebumps days.
A fun collection that would be perfect for the spooky season, or like me... absolutely anytime! Cos everyday can be spooky if you want it to be!
My favourite of the collection was the poem about the old man - genuine chills!
This would be great for children looking for a light hearted spook, or even adults looking for a reminder of those Goosebumps days.
A fun collection that would be perfect for the spooky season, or like me... absolutely anytime! Cos everyday can be spooky if you want it to be!
August 25, 2025
Dive on in, it’s Halloween Season and Jacko has a fresh new set of poems and tales for you to read! From witches to werewolves, to ghosts, there’s something spooky waiting for you within these pages.Enter if you dare.
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This was such a cute, quick read. I really enjoyed all of the stories and poems in this. . All throughout this book, I was transported back to the l Halloweens of my childhood. The last poem was my absolutely favorite! The whole thing honestly warmed my heart 🖤 a nice, in between read for your Spooky Season.
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This was such a cute, quick read. I really enjoyed all of the stories and poems in this. . All throughout this book, I was transported back to the l Halloweens of my childhood. The last poem was my absolutely favorite! The whole thing honestly warmed my heart 🖤 a nice, in between read for your Spooky Season.
August 16, 2024
Hall-Lore-Ween
By Josh Spero
A fun and spooky ride full of Halloween tales, legends, and poetry. This Y/A horror is great for those Halloween nights to scare your friends at the campfire or after a night of trick or treating. Josh Spero really knows how to write a creepy story along with gorgeous illustrations from TT Hernandez and Aldo Auder.
By Josh Spero
A fun and spooky ride full of Halloween tales, legends, and poetry. This Y/A horror is great for those Halloween nights to scare your friends at the campfire or after a night of trick or treating. Josh Spero really knows how to write a creepy story along with gorgeous illustrations from TT Hernandez and Aldo Auder.
August 11, 2025
Absolutely loved this read. This is a set of different short stories and poems for your spooky vibe! I loved the Johnny Leopold story the most it was written so beautifully I could I envisón each part and it was fun to see some illustrations as well during the stories read! Would absolutely recommend to any spooky lover who enjoys short stories and be sure to check out part 2 releasing soon!
October 18, 2025
Loved this! Thank you so much for sending me a copy! I love spooky things all year round but I especially like to read them during the "BER" months! The biggest plus for me was that I could read this with my pre-teen daughter and she absolutely loved it as well, were were spoked out but it was 100% kid friendly!
September 21, 2024
This was a super fun read for Halloween. The stories and poems in this collection really capture the fun and spooky spirit of Halloween. If you are looking for something to read to kick off the season, pick this one up right away.
August 28, 2025
This was such a fun read!
It has Halloween poems & short stories.
Definitely a cute tradition to read in October.
And super fun to read to your kids, it’s not super scary.
It also has some art in it as well!
🍂🎃🍁
It has Halloween poems & short stories.
Definitely a cute tradition to read in October.
And super fun to read to your kids, it’s not super scary.
It also has some art in it as well!
🍂🎃🍁
August 19, 2025
A great collection of short stories and poetry that you could reread every year during spooky season 🎃 The collection consists of four poems and three short stories suitable for younger horror fans, but also very entertaining to read for older readers! All the stories have that unique Halloween atmosphere and made me look forward to my favorite season even more 🍂
Part 2 will be released soon and I can’t wait to read that one as well!
Part 2 will be released soon and I can’t wait to read that one as well!
January 9, 2026
I absolutely LOVED this book! It encapsulates the Halloween spirit perfectly with poems, short stories and awesome illustrations. Even though it's still 100 degrees outside, today felt like a crisp Halloween afternoon in my home while reading this book. Perfect!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews