As kids are gearing up to trick or treat or maybe watch a scary movie or two, we pulled together this list of creepy, spooky, and mysterious books to pique your child’s interest in reading.
FOREWORD BY GUEST WRITER PATRICE PILGRIM:
As a mom, I have never understood the penchant that my oldest son has for games and books that scare him. While sitting and reading with him one day, I realized that it’s the surprise of not knowing what comes next that intrigues him.
Reading in general provides surprise, but reading a creepy book provides an even bigger treat, especially around Halloween! The books that I will be looking at in this list are ones that you can read with your child or that she can read on her own.
We as adults may forget the ‘draw’ of these books, but for children, they may spark an interest in reading that goes beyond Halloween.
A Tale Dark and Grimm
by Adam Gidwitz
Gory, scary and thrilling: a perfect read for Halloween or any other time of year.
Age 12+
Zombie Mommy
by M.T. Anderson and Kurt Cyrus
A well done mash up of comedy and horror — it’ll have you on the edge of your seat, laughing.
Age 8+
The Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods
by Hal Johnson and Tom Mead
Twenty spine-chilling stories about some of the most dangerous and fantastic beings within American folk history. A good read for those children of the age to appreciate a good reading scare.
Age 8+
Monster High/Ever After High: The Legend of Shadow High
by Shannon Hale
I myself love watching the cartoons with my young cousins, and the books are a great continuation. A mystery with enough spook mixed in to make it a wickedly good Halloween read.
Age 10+
The Graveyard Book
by Neil Gaiman
This warm-hearted book has just the right amount of creepiness to make it a good choice for this Halloween.
Age 9+
X-Files: Earth Children Are Weird
by Kim Smith
A cute kid-version of the show we adults know and love. It’s a spooky treat for your just-becoming-independent reader.
Age 5+
A Good Night for Ghosts (Magic Treehouse Series)
by Mary Pope Osborne and Sal Murdocca
Rich in historical details, this book is full of intriguing facts and still gives you the creepy feeling that you might be looking for.
Age 10+
The Eerie Elementary Series
by Jack Chabert
None-stop action from cover to cover from a school that wants to destroy the students. Be wary with younger readers but in general a spooky good read.
Age 6+
Infestation
by Timothy J. Bradley
This book is almost a tribute to the monster movies of the 1950’s & 1960’s. It had a slightly different tone in terms of the writing but is very engaging and well written. Definitely worth the time to read and be scared!
Age 8+
The Screaming Staircase
by Jonathan Stroud
This book is a wild ride. It’s a mystery & thriller rolled into one with just the right amount of spook.
Age 10+
The Graveyard Plot
by Jason Strange
A little scarier for the budding horror reader. Still age appropriate and good, scary fun.
Age 8+
The Ghost’s Grave
by Peg Kehret
Heavy on the humor and light on the fright, this book is a nice change of pace and definitely a must read this Halloween.
Age 10+
The Dead Boys
by Royce Buckingham
This book will have you sitting up and begging for more. From the first page to the last word, this book will have you on the edge of your seat. A thrilling must read.
Age 13+
From the Biblionasium Editors:
No Place for Monsters
Stink and the Hairy Scary Spider
Stink loves most scientific things, but he is so freaked out by spiders that he can’t even read about them! Overcome arachnophobia by reading Stink and the Hairy Scary Spider.
