Do you have a young child in your life who wants a scary story? Especially for young children, it can be tricky to find a book that is just the right amount of scary while keeping it still an enjoyable experience. You will have to consider the child’s age and personality to determine what they’re ready for. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
The Too-Scary Story by Bethanie Deeney Murguia (2017).
Big sister Grace wants Dad to tell a scary story, but little brother Walter is quick to speak up when it gets “too scary.” This is a great choice for a child’s first time reading something “scary.”
The Dark by Lemony Snicket (2013).
Laszlo, like many of us, is afraid of the dark. This is fairly scary for a picture book, relying mostly on the fear of the unknown that is behind a fear of the dark.
The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman (2003).
This book starts out pretty creepy, with main character Lucy hearing the refrain, “If the wolves come out of the walls, it’s all over.” But it does have a satisfying conclusion that adds some humor to banish the creepiness.
In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories by Alvin Schwartz (1984).
Don’t forget about scary stories in the easy reader section! This old classic from the I Can Read series is just one of the collections of slightly scary stories available in for new readers.
Home Sweet Horror by James Preller (2013) – Scary Tales series.
This is the first book in a series that is not too difficult of an early chapter book but is actually pretty scary! It would be great for those who aren’t quite strong readers of chapter books yet but are ready to be scared.
Happy (scary) reading!
-Teresa Moulton
