Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve 👻 September 2025

Mission: In "Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve," another book in the Merlin Missions series by Mary Pope Osborne, Jack and Annie's mission is to help Merlin break a dark spell that has been cast upon a duke’s castle. They must find the Diamond of Destiny, a magical object hidden in the castle to restore order to the castle and bring it back to life. Along the way, they encounter ghosts, riddles, and other challenges as they work to save the duke’s castle from eternal emptiness.

Book Description: In "Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve" by Mary Pope Osborne, Jack and Annie stumble into a spooky adventure that's more thrilling than a roller coaster ride through a ghostly theme park! Picture this: you're exploring a magical treehouse, when suddenly, whoosh! You're transported to a castle shrouded in mist, where shadows dance and bats swoop like trick-or-treaters on Halloween night!

Now, here's the eerie twist: Jack and Annie aren't just visiting this haunted castle for the candy; they're on a mission to break the spell cast on the castle and unlock the secrets of the haunted halls. Jack and Annie must navigate the challenges and dangers of the spooky surroundings. Along their journey, they encounter ghostly apparitions, uncover ancient riddles, and brave the darkness to restore peace to the haunted castle. But hold onto your witch's hat, because the real challenge? It's not just dodging ghosts and outwitting knights who are as bone-chilling as a freezer full of popsicles! Nope, the problem for our brave adventurers is figuring out how to break the dark spell that holds the key to their mission before they're left as scared as a scaredy-cat in a room full of black cats!

Armed with nothing but their Halloween spirit, a trusty book, and a sprinkle of spooky magic, Jack and Annie tiptoe through the castle on a quest filled with haunted encounters, mysterious clues, and maybe even a midnight dance with the ghosts! Can they crack the code of Halloween and find the magic they seek before they're left feeling as ghostly as a sheet floating in the wind? Join them on this haunted escapade for a journey filled with laughs, thrills, and enough Halloween fun to make even Dracula smile!

What Will Students Learn?

✅ Courage and Resilience: Students learn about the importance of courage and resilience as Jack and Annie face their fears and confront the challenges of the haunted castle.

✅ Problem-Solving Skills: The siblings use their problem-solving skills to decipher clues and solve puzzles, teaching students the value of critical thinking and persistence.

✅ Historical Context: Through their interactions with historical figures and exploration of the castle's past, students gain insight into medieval history and folklore.

✅ Belief and Imagination: Jack and Annie discover the power of belief and imagination in overcoming obstacles and achieving their goals, inspiring students to harness their own creativity and belief in themselves.

✅ Friendship and Trust: The book highlights the importance of friendship and trust as Jack and Annie rely on each other to navigate the dangers of the haunted castle, encouraging students to value and support their peers in times of need.

Click HERE to purchase the book from Amazon.

Click HERE to see the full series and purchase from the publisher or view other purchasing options.

How are Lexile ranges chosen and how might they potentially impact my students?

Lexile and Lexile ranges have been chosen using www.lexile.com. The indicators measured are decoding, vocabulary, sentences, and patterns. Indicators are furnished for texts rated at 650L or lower according to Lexile measures. These indicators aid in pinpointing significant text elements in early reading materials, which may pose varying levels of difficulty for readers.

Click HERE to be redirected to a Canva link and to interact with the indicator chart.