We here at Bookstr love a book that will keep you up all night and have you jumping if the door creaks. Many of us were introduced to spooky stories as young readers. For any children or teenagers wanting to get into the horror or thriller genre, there are countless options, and all of them are well worth a read. Below, we’ve compiled five of our favorite books to introduce young readers to the genre. Read on to discover what they are!
Goosebumps Series
Starting off with an absolute classic, R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps series has been thrilling children since the 90s and has absolutely stood the test of time. These elementary to middle-grade books range from haunted houses to evil slime and are perfect for any young readers searching for a new spooky read or those just getting into the genre.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Series
These three books absolutely terrified me when I was a child (seriously, I had to leave the room when they were being read in class), but for younger readers searching for a real scare, these are a great read. Alvin Schwartz’s horror books find much of their inspiration from urban legends, and his research on these topics shines throughout. They will absolutely chill you to the bone.
Bunnicula Series
Following a vampire bunny that sustains itself by sucking juice from vegetables, Bunnicula is better for a younger audience that might not be ready for true horror. Bunnicula and his furry friends tend to invoke mischief rather than murder, and this is a great way to include sensitive children in spooky books. James and Deborah Howe have done a perfect job combining fluffy animals and classic monsters.
Scary Stories for Young Foxes
Following two fox kits after they’ve been separated from their litters, Scary Stories for Young Foxes and its sequel, both by Christian McKay Heidicker, include a variety of short stories. The books also feature beautiful, intricate illustrations by Junyi Wu that help tell the stories and diffuse some of the tension. The books are recommended for children 12+.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
A little more spooky than scary, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs has a strange, mysterious setting and characters that you feel completely drawn to. The plot sucks you in immediately and keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. There are two other novels within the trilogy and a second trilogy that takes place in a new setting with the same characters. This is a great series for teenagers!
We hope you’ve enjoyed our roundup of the best spooky stories for young readers and hope that you check them out!
Read more articles about scary stories here!
Discover our favorite horrors and thrillers here!
