The Case of the Halloween Ghost

A parent might reach for this book when their child is feeling a little anxious about Halloween's spooky side, or if they just want a fun, seasonal chapter book that prioritizes humor over horror. The story follows Hank the Cowdog, the self-proclaimed Head of Ranch Security, on a Halloween night adventure. He and his timid sidekick Drover get lost and stumble upon what they believe is a haunted church, filled with ghosts and monsters. The book humorously explores themes of fear and bravery, showing how even the bravest among us get scared sometimes. Through Hank's comically inflated ego and unreliable narration, the story reframes scary situations into silly misunderstandings. This makes it a great choice for early chapter book readers (ages 6 to 10) as it validates feelings of fear while providing a funny, reassuring model for facing it. It's pure entertainment that gently normalizes being scared and shows that things are often not as frightening as they first appear.