The Haunted Playground with R. J. Palacio (Random House, 2026)

Summary

From R.J. Palacio, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wonder and Brett Helquist, the illustrator of A Series of Unfortunate Events, comes The Haunted Playground (Random House Books for Young Readers, 2026), a spine-tingling Halloween picture book adventure! I cast the spell that brings to life this playground of the night. Here my phantoms come—but not to spook or fright. They’re here because they want to laugh, to frolic and be merry. They’re here because they need to take a break from being scary. When all the trick-or-treating is done and children are tucked in, ghosts are drawn to one special place: the Haunted Playground! Ruled by Rex Magnificus, ghosts arrive not to haunt but to play. But will the appearance of two human children interrupt their revelry? From two master storytellers, this Halloween story is a modern classic!

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Rebekah Buchanan

Rebekah Buchanan is a Professor of English and Director of English Education at Western Illinois University. Her research focuses on feminism, activism, and literacy practices in youth culture, specifically through zines and music.

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