Boo Bash! Hot Rod Hamster at the Haunted Halloween Party by Cynthia Lord

IT WAS HALLOWEEN! HOT ROD HAMSTER HURRIED OFF TO FIND HIS FRIEND DOG.

"DOG! LOOK! IT'S A HALLOWEEN PARTY! FOOD, GAMES, FUN! LET'S GO!" HE SHOUTED.

"OKAY, BUT WE'LL NEED COSTUMES," DOG SAID.

It's the usual Fright Night problem: what to wear? There's even a prize for the best costume! Dog and Hamster study the choices at the store.

"GHOST FUN? CLOWN FUN? STAR FUN? CROWN FUN? WHICH WILL YOU CHOOSE?"

Then Hot Rod Hamster has an inspiration! He'll be a rock star and Dog and the others can be in his band! Hamster combs his topknot into a striking blue Mohawk do. Drumming, strumming, blowing, and shaking it! Rock 'n' Roll!

They load up their gear in the hot rod and set off for the party. But before they get very far, there is an unfortunate mechanical malfunction. The Hot Rod has broken down, and they must ask for help. But the only house in sight is a bit spooky. The windows are dark, and the sagging door hangs open. Whoooo lives there?

Well, they're pale and float instead of walk, but they do have tools to repair the hot rod, and they offer Dog and Hamster a deal they can't refuse.

"IF WE LOAN YOU TOOLS, CAN WE COME? GHOSTS LOVE PARTIES!"

Luckily ghosts don't weigh much, so they all pile onto the hot rod and roll up just as the party is getting into full swing. Soon Hot Rod Hamster and the band take the stage, and they are a hit!

DOG PLAYS THE DRUMS, HAMSTER SINGS THE SONG.
MICE SHAKE AND DANCE. AND THE GHOSTS HOWL ALONG.

Who knew ghosts make great backup singers? The wailing wraiths definitely pass the audition, and Hamster's band has a brand-new name--Hot Rod Hamster and the Howl-Agains--in Cynthia Lord's newest beginning reader tale, Hot Rod Hamster and the Haunted Halloween Party! (Hot Rod Hamster) (Scholastic Readers, Level 2: Hot Rod Hamster) (Scholastic Press, 2015). Noted Newbery author Cynthia Lord and ace artist Derek Anderson are known for their full-format picture book series, Hot Rod Hamster, which have become popular preschool fare, and this beginning reader, with its jolly rhymes and repeating refrain ("Which will you choose?") offers a light and easy read-alone treat for the scary season.