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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Battle of the bad-breath bats
Bowles, David
Paper Book
A new silly and spooky highly illustrated series that's perfect for fans of Eerie Elementary and Notebooks of Doom, featuring art on every page and fun activities at the end of each book. It's a Halloween chapter book treat! Cousins Malia, Ivan, and Dante are visiting their aunt Lucy...

A trio of cousins accidentally take a wrong turn onto 13th Street and have to work together to defeat the monsters on the way home. Between the action sequences and the boss-style challenges, this is a great read for video game fans. (Bridging Fiction Grades 2-4)

The jumbies
Baptiste, Tracey.
Paper Book
The jumbies are coming! Corinne La Mer isn't afraid of anything. Not scorpions, not the boys who tease her, and certainly not jumbies. She knows that jumbies aren't real; they're just creatures parents make up to frighten their children. But on All Hallows' Eve...

A great pick for fans of this summer's The Little Mermaid movie who were really hoping for more terrifying Caribbean sea monster content. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

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)
Rise of the balloon goons
Cummings, Troy.
Paper Book
Monsters + Humor + Fun = THE NOTEBOOK OF DOOM!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...

An illustrated diary-style book about a kid who discovers that his new town is literally filled with monsters. This one is definitely more funny than scary, which makes it a great pick for sensitive horror-curious readers. (Bridging Fiction Grades 2-4)

Camp Sylvania
Murphy, Julie
Audiobook

By the author of the book behind the beloved Netflix movie, Dumplin', comes a middle grade novel about the horrors of body shaming in a classic summer camp setting. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Hush-a-bye
Mott, Jody Lee
Paper Book
* "Mott's deft prose and well-written characters will keep readers engaged from start to frightening finish. This is the perfect read for people who love the chill of terror running down their backs." -School Library Journal (starred review) A delightfully creepy story...
A girl who's bullied for her family's lack of money finds a haunted doll that she hopes will help her solve her problems. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)
Ghost squad
Ortega, Claribel A.
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! Coco meets Stranger Things with a hint of Ghostbusters in this action-packed supernatural fantasy. For Lucely Luna, ghosts are more than just the family business. Shortly before Halloween, Lucely...

Think Hocus Pocus but in Florida, starring a Dominican American family with a connection to the supernatural. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

The incredibly dead pets of Rex Dexter
Reynolds, Aaron
Paper Book
New York Times best-selling author Aaron Reynolds delivers an "entertainingly spooky romp" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) about Rex Dexter, who is itching to have a dog . . . but ends up with a pet chicken.   One hour and...
A kid who wants a pet dog is cursed by a carnival game and must solve a mystery at the local zoo using his newfound ability to talk to dead animals. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)
Night of the living dummy
Stine, R. L.
Paper Book
Goosebumps now on Disney+!Lindy names the ventriloquist's dummy she finds Slappy. Slappy is kind of ugly, but he's a lot of fun. Lindy's having a great time learning to make Slappy move and talk. But Kris is jealous of all the attention her sister is getting. It's no fair. Why does Lindy...

Is it too much of a stretch to call R.L. Stine the Shakespeare of children's horror fiction? Maybe, but he's still one of the most recognizable authors in children's literature. A great starting point for elementary readers who are interested in dipping their toes into the genre. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Just beyond. The scare school
Stine, R. L.
Paper Book
Middle grade supernatural horror series takes young readers Just Beyond the reality they know...Just Beyond their normal lives...Just Beyond the real world to an always surprising place of fantasy and fright. Surviving middle school is hard enough but when Jess, Josh, and...

A new series from Goosebumps author R.L. Stine using the graphic novel format to reach reluctant readers. (Children's Graphic Novels Grades 3-5)

Scary stories to tell in the dark
Schwartz, Alvin
Paper Book
This spooky addition to Alvin Schwartz's popular books on American folklore is filled with tales of eerie horror and dark revenge that will make you jump with fright. There is a story here for everyone -- skeletons with torn and tangled flesh who roam the earth; a ghost who takes revenge on her...

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
Paper Book
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 supernatural events...
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 Dark, to give...

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)

Scare me
Alexander, K. R.
Paper Book
A haunted house has come to life in this spine-tingling novel from the author of The CollectorThey've lost control of the haunted house.Every year, the town of Happy Hills holds its haunted house contest. In a spooky old manor, teams of kids come up with new ways to frighten people. The...

When a kid asks you to put all the K.R. Alexander books on hold for them, you know you have a winner! While the author explores all of the popular horror tropes, from creepy dolls to creepy clowns, this one features one of my favorites: the haunted house. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

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)

Living ghosts & mischievous monsters : chilling American Indian stories
Jones, Dan C.
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark! A shiver-inducing collection of short stories to read under the covers, from a breadth of American Indian nations. Dark figures in the night. An owl's cry on the wind. Monsters watching from the edge of the wood. Some of...

If you've worn out your copies of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and are looking for new spooky stories and urban legends, this collection of scary stories from indigenous nations throughout North America should hit the spot. (Children's Nonfiction Age 8-12)

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)

Wait till Helen comes : a ghost story graphic novel
Peterson, Scott
Paper Book
In this graphic novel adaptation of master horror storyteller Mary Downing Hahn's spookiest and most popular tale, two siblings must save their stepsister from the clutches of a vengeful ghost. When their mom remarries, Molly and her brother, Michael, try to make friends with their new...

The graphic novel adaptation of Mary Downing Hahn's classic chilling ghost story. (Young Teen Graphic Novel Grades 5-7)

Too bright to see
Lukoff, Kyle
Paper Book
A Newbery Honor Book * Winner of the Stonewall Book Award  * A National Book Award Finalist "A gentle, glowing wonder, full of love and understanding." -The New York Times Book Review It's the summer before middle school and eleven...
This National Book Award finalist uses horror themes to explore family, loss, and identity through Bug, who believes a "presence" in their house is trying to send them a message after the death of a beloved uncle. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)
You're invited to a creepover, the graphic novel. 1, Truth or Dare...
Night, P. J.
Paper Book
The bestselling You're Invited to a Creepover middle grade series comes to graphic novels with this first book about a bone-chilling sleepover game gone ghostly. During a round of Truth or Dare, Abby Miller confesses her crush on Jake Chilson. The only people who know her secret...
What starts as a made-up spooky tale becomes all too real as this graphic novel series takes the time-honored tradition of telling scary stories at a sleepover and runs with it! (Young Teen Graphic Novels Grades 5-7)
Bloom
Oppel, Kenneth
Paper Book
"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 sleepover
Regina, Michael
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Stranger Things, this middle grade graphic novel follows a group of kids trying to cheer up their friend after a recent loss with a fun-filled sleepover, but their plans soon take a dark turn when they discover his new nanny may literally be a monster. ...
After the loss of a beloved caregiver, a tween discovers that her replacement may or may not be a witch. Reviews recommend this one as a great readalike for middle school fans of Stranger Things. (Young Teen Graphic Novels 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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