If you’re looking for a Halloween read that’s spooky, smart, and just a little bit strange, The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman, author of Coraline, is a classroom favorite that delivers. This eerie picture book, paired with its animated 360° VR film adaptation, offers a perfect blend of suspense and humor, which is ideal for upper elementary students who love a good scare with a side of storytelling.
The story centers around Lucy, a curious and determined girl who hears unsettling noises coming from inside the walls of her house. Her family dismisses her fears by saying, “If the wolves come out of the walls, it’s all over.” But Lucy knows what she hears. When the wolves finally burst out and take over the house, the family flees only to realize they must summon their courage and reclaim their home.
To get started, locate a version of The Wolves in the Walls that works for your classroom. If your library doesn’t have a copy, you’ll find links to printable and YouTube read-alouds included in the handout. Inside the Fall Vault, you’ll also find all the supporting materials, including printables, comprehension questions, writing prompts, and a link to the Google Slides version of the book study. Everything is organized and ready to use, along with additional fall-themed activities your students will love.
The Wolves in the Walls
Reading Level
The book’s reading level (AR 3.9, Lexile 500L) makes it accessible for grades 4–6, and its high-interest content is especially effective for engaging reluctant readers. The graphic-novel structure and VR film adaptation add layers of accessibility and appeal, while the themes of fear, courage, and imagination offer depth for more advanced learners.
Genre
The Wolves in the Walls is a fantasy picture book. A number of pages in the book are structured like graphic novels making the book appeal to an older audience.
Classroom Activities
1. Prediction Breaks
Pause during the reading at key points and have students predict what will happen next based on the illustrations. For example, when Lucy hears noises, ask: “What do you think is making the sounds? What clues do the illustrations give us?”
2. Perspective Writing
Retell a scene from the wolves’ point of view. How do the wolves feel when they sneak into the house? Are they mischievous, hungry, or just looking for fun? This activity strengthens point-of-view skills while letting students flex their creativity.
3. Figurative Language Hunt
The story is rich in language, featuring rhymes, similes, and onomatopoeia. Challenge students to find examples and discuss how these phrases add to the eerie mood. You can even turn this into a scavenger hunt where pairs search for specific types of figurative language.
4. Compare Book & Film
After reading the book, show the VR film. Then, guide students through a class discussion or Venn diagram:
- What’s scarier: the words and illustrations in the book or the sounds and visuals in the film?
- Which version uses humor more effectively?
- How do the two media create suspense differently?
5. Character Connections
Lucy’s stuffed pig plays an important role in the story. Ask students: “Why do you think the author chose a pig instead of a teddy bear?” This discussion can lead into comparisons with other classic “wolf stories” such as The Three Little Pigs.
6. Creative Extension
Invite students to design their own “creature in the walls.” They can write a short description, illustrate it, and explain what might happen if it were to escape. This activity works great as a Halloween bulletin board display.
The Novel Study
Vocabulary and Comprehension for The Wolves in the Walls
I selected seven words from the story that students may not know. In the handout, you will find a vocabulary list with these words, including sample sentences from the text, definitions, synonyms, and parts of speech.
I selected the two verbs for additional practice. I feel students will remember vocabulary words much better if you limit their number and provide two or three practice exercises with each instead of more words and less practice for each word.
Writing
The Wolves in the Walls offers just the right mix of creepy and quirky to keep upper elementary students hooked. Whether you use it for prediction practice, figurative language, or book-to-film comparison, this story is sure to spark lively discussions and imaginative responses in your classroom.
Digital Option
Inside the Fall Vault, you’ll find a complete book study handout that includes vocabulary, comprehension questions, writing prompts, and both printable and Google Slides formats. Students can explore idioms, analyze genre, and even debate the wolves’ motives. Whether you’re teaching in person or online, everything is ready to go – click, print, and teach.
So if you’re ready to swap out the pumpkins and ghosts for something a little more mysterious, The Wolves in the Walls is your ticket to a Halloween lesson that howls with possibility. Grab your handouts here and let the storytelling begin.
