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
Forty-two days ago I was an ordinary kid, living an uneventful life. But now it's TOTAL MONSTER ZOMBIE CHAOS and I'm battling beasts on a daily basis. Crazy, right? But I know exactly how to make it through the zombie apocalypse.    Jack Sullivan's ULTIMATE FEATS OF...

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)

Night of the living dummy
Stine, R. L.
Paper Book
Lindy and Kris become interested in ventriloquism, but they hardly suspect that Kris' new dummy has a mind of its own.

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)

More scary stories to tell in the dark
Schwartz, Alvin
Ebook
Where can you find all the horrible people from history in one place? In Horrible Histories 25th Anniversary Yearbook, of course! You won't find awards for high achievers or prizes for perfect prefects here. This is a Horrible Histories yearbook, with a horrible twist. Meet the class of 1066,...

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

The graveyard book
Gaiman, Neil.
Paper Book
Discover the bewitching, classic children's novel The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, featuring spellbinding illustrations from Chris RiddellWINNER of the 2010 CILIP CARNEGIE MEDAL and the 2009 JOHN NEWBERY MEDAL. ONE OF BBC'S HUNDRED GREATEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS OF ALL TIME...

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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