My very first-ever First Chapter Fridays entry is…Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh.
Spirit Hunters, Chapter One is 9 pages long.
Twelve-year old Harper and her family have just moved into a spooky old house with a terrifying history.
In the first chapter, Harper is unpacking boxes in her room when her four-year old brother Michael calls her to his room. When Harper enters the room, she notices it is frigid, even though it is summertime and the air conditioning in the old house isn’t working very well.
Michael introduces Harper to his new friend, Billy, who Harper cannot see. Michael tells Harper that Billy said “not to go into the attic” and that Billy “doesn’t like it when you call his house stupid.” Billy, of course, is the malevolent ghost of a not-so-nice boy who died decades ago.
Halloween read-aloud: The first chapter, which is the story I just related above. The first chapter is only a few pages long, but so much happens in those few pages. Your students will be hooked! Also, be sure to check out the sequel, The Island of Monsters.
In Chapter 1, Harper’s little brother Michael asks her to come to his room. Harper’s room and the rest of the house are HOT, but Michael’s room is freezing-cold.
There, Michael introduces Harper to his new friend “Billy,” who Michael says is standing in the corner. Harper sees no one. Michael tells Harper that Billy used to live in their house. He also tells Harper that “Billy said not to go up to the attic.”
Harper mutters something about this “stupid house,” and Michael tells her, “Billy doesn’t like it when you call his house stupid.”
Y’all. This is just the first chapter. I LOVED this book so much. It’s middle grade, but it’s so creepy! Even better is that once you hook students on the first book, there is a sequel called Island of the Monsters.
