Every Halloween Tom Skelton and 7 other boys would go trick-or-treating with Joe Pipkin. All of them are in their costumes playing in town when they realize that only 8 of them are present. Though their faces were all hidden by masks they knew who wasn’t there. They could just tell he was missing. Joe Pipkin, the greatest boy who ever lived, the boy who never ever sat still was not with them.
The boys go to Pipkin’s house. When he comes out, he is not his usual perky self. He tells his friends to go on, that he will meet them at the place of the Haunts. At a spooky house situated there, they meet Mr. Moundshroud and find his Halloween tree. Pipkin appears in the distance much later, but is whisked away from them by a dark something. Mr. Moundshroud takes them backwards on a journey through time and space to save their friend, Pipkin, from certain death and to learn the history and meaning of Halloween.
Part of their journey takes them through ancient Egypt, where they learned how death was part of everyday life, where Halloween seemed to take place each day.
The Grecian Isles are visited. There black molasses was painted on the doorposts so visiting ghosts would stick to them and not be able to come indoors.
They saw the festival of Samhain in England, as well as other festivals in different parts of Europe. In each place visited, their friend, Pipkin, would appear. All the time afraid that they will never see him again, they chase after him each time.
They chase him on to the Notre Dame in Paris, France, then on to Mexico. I'm not going to tell you how the story ends - that just wouldn't be right. There is no way that I could adequately convey to you just how unique this Halloween story is.
The ending is good and it is a suitable book for children of all ages. If one is easily scared, there is a slight chance it could be frightening, but only a slight chance. Only in one's imagination could the events in this story ever take place.
Each place they stop, creepy Mr. Moundshroud shares with the boys the unique customs surrounding death. Since Mr. Moundshroud represents death, he would know about every custom surrounding death at anytime in history.
The Halloween Tree was written by Ray Bradbury, a master of fantasy and science fiction. First published in 1972, it is a classic tale to be enjoyed by young and old alike.
I was surprised that I had never in my life heard of this tale, especially since I am such an avid reader. Ray Bradbury's unique description of events and surroundings is refreshing and easy to read. Families would enjoy reading the 145 pages of The Halloween Tree together.
If you would like to purchase The Halloween Tree, you may buy one through Amazon, where I bought my copy, by clicking on the link below.
The Halloween Tree
