Cauldron full of Halloween events set

A cauldron-full of spooky Halloween events are planned at area libraries next month to fit the haunting spirit of the season.

"Monster Mash," "What's in the Haunted House?" "Scared Spitless," "Haunted Halloween," "Halloween Mask Task Force" and "Spooky Tales and Songs" are some of the events planned in the Salt Lake County Library System next month.

"Pumpkin Time," "Broomhilda Flies Again!" "Mummy's the Word!" and "Trick or Treat with the Simpsons!" are special offerings through the Salt Lake City Library System.

"The Simpsons" writer and artist Bill Morrison will be at the new Salt Lake City Library, 210 E. 400 South, on Halloween night, Friday, Oct. 31, from 4:30-7 p.m. to sign autographs, while a costume and coloring contest is held and episodes of the "Simpsons" are shown. Trick-or-treating will also be a part of the fun that evening.

Night Flight Comics, one of the library's stores, will present "Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror" in conjunction with Morrison's visit. Morrison will also appear at the other Night Flight store in the Cottonwood Mall on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 4-5:30 p.m.

There's also more events planned than just Halloween activities, with chess clubs, teen poetry, "Dog Daze" and more.

— Here are some books, most suitable for sixth-graders, that may fit the mood of a spooky October season:

"The Ghosts of Mercy Manor," by Betty Ren Wright. Gwen, 12, an orphan who comes to live with the Mercy family, discovers that the house is haunted by the ghost of a sad-looking young girl. She's determined to solve the mystery behind these appearances.

"The Vandemark Mummy," by Cynthia Voight. When their father is made responsible for a collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, Phineas, 12, and his older sister, Althea, try to find out why the collection is a target of thieves and why the mummy has disappeared.

"Vision Quest," by Pamela F. Service. Kate finds life dreary in a small Nevada town until contact with an Indian artifact sends her visions of a restless shaman from the past. These visions eventually transport her and a friend, Jimmy Fong, back into the past.

"Backyard Dragon," by Betsy and Samuel Sterman. With the help of three friends, a young boy and his grandfather help a 15th Century Welsh dragon find its way home.

"Megan's Island," by Willo Davis Roberts. Megan, 11, is astonished when her mother takes her and a younger brother up to the lake cottage, a week before school is out. Then, they find mysterious strangers following them.