Children's Book Suggestions | Horror

Something old, something new...a mix of classic and recent horror novels for readers in Grades 2-7. For more reading ideas, ask a staff member for some suggestions, fill out our Personalized Book Recommendation Form, or check out NoveList for recommended book lists and readalikes.

For younger readers, check out our Halloween Scavenger Hunt book list with 31 not-too-scary titles for ages 3-7!

Updated October 5, 2023
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County) Oregon City Public Library
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The last kids on Earth
Brallier, Max
Paper Book
A Netflix Original series! The first book in the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling series, with over 7 million copies in print! "Terrifyingly fun! Delivers big thrills and even bigger laughs."--Jeff Kinney, author of the #1 ...

This illustrated novel about kids surviving a zombie apocalypse is hands-down our most popular kids horror series. With plenty of humor and an emphasis on action, it's great for readers who don't like to be too scared. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

The school is alive!
Chabert, Jack
Paper Book
Eerie Elementary is one scary school!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence...
A third-grader saves his classmates from their monstrous school in this chapter book for kids who are just ready to move up from easy readers. (Bridging Fiction Grades 2-4)
Scary stories to tell in the dark
Schwartz, Alvin
Paper Book
The iconic anthology series of horror tales that's now a feature film! A classic collection of chillingly scary tales, collected and retold by Alvin Schwartz and illustrated by renowned artist Brett Helquist (illustrator of A Series of Unfortunate Events and more!). Scary...

If you were a kid in the 1980s who liked scary stories, this series by Alvin Scwartz was probably your favorite book! It was adapted into a movie (rated PG-13) in 2019 and is followed by 2 sequels. P.S. Make sure to check the illustrator info before you place those holds. Fans of the OG series usually prefer Stephen Gammell's original illustrations to Brett Helquist's updated versions from 2011. (Children's Nonfiction Age 8-12)

More scary stories to tell in the dark
Schwartz, Alvin
Ebook
The iconic anthology series of horror tales that's now a feature film! More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a timeless collection of chillingly scary tales and legends. Folklorist Alvin Schwartz offers up some of the most alarming tales of horror, dark revenge, and...
Scary stories 3 : more tales to chill your bones
Schwartz, Alvin
Paper Book
Storytellers know--just as they have for hundreds and hundreds of years--that everyone enjoys a good, scary story! Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories 3 joins his other popular collections of scary folklore, Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark and More Scary Stories To Tell In The...

Sorting through the different illustrators in the catalog can be challenging, so here's the direct link to book three. (Children's Nonfiction Age 8-12)

Small Spaces Small Spaces Quartet Series, Book 1
Arden, Katherine.
Ebook
New York Times bestselling adult author of The Bear and the Nightingale makes her middle grade debut with a creepy, spellbinding ghost story destined to become a classic. After suffering a tragic loss, eleven-year-old Ollie only finds solace in books. So when she...
Katherine Arden is also an award-winning author of fantasy novels for adult readers, and her writing skills really elevate this series to the next level--without sacrificing kid appeal! The first book in a quartet, it was also an OBOB pick in 2021. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7).
Doll bones
Black, Holly.
Paper Book
Discover the Newbery Honor winner Doll Bones, from Holly Black, the cocreator of the Spiderwick Chronicles. A Kirkus Reviews Best Book. A School Library Journal Best Book. A Booklist Editor's Choice Books for Youth. A Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book. A...

An award-winning classic about friends, growing up, and a creepy doll. (Young Teen Grades 5-7)

Wait till Helen comes : a ghost story
Hahn, Mary Downing.
Paper Book
Ghost story master Mary Downing Hahn spins a suspenseful yarn about two children who dislike their malicious younger stepsister, Heather--and tensions that escalate when Heather starts talking to a ghost named Helen. In a chilling ghost story that is also an insightful family drama, Molly,...

Mary Downing Hahn writes some of the best horror books for young readers! This 1986 novel is her most famous book and was adapted into a movie in 2016 (Rated TV-14) and a graphic novel in 2022. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Bloom
Oppel, Kenneth
Ebook
"The perfect book right now for young readers searching for hope, strength, inspiration -- and just a little horticultural havoc."--New York Times   The first book in a can't-put-it-down, can't-read-it-fast-enough action-thriller trilogy that's part Hatchet, part...

Predatory alien plants take over Salt Springs Island in this triology from action-suspense author Oppel. Perfect for kids who are on track to love the Alien movies when they grow up. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

The graveyard book
Gaiman, Neil.
Paper Book
The original hardcover edition of a perennial favorite, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, which has sold more than one million copies and is the only novel to win both the Newbery Medal and the Carnegie Medal.  Bod is an unusual boy who inhabits an unusual place--he's the only living...

A young boy is rescued by ghosts and raised in a graveyard in this award-winning novel loosely inspired by The Jungle Book. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 3-5)


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