Spooky Reads: Kids

Is it possible to die -- and not know it? What if a person is buried too soon? What happens to a thief foolish enough to rob a corpse, or to a murderer whose victim returns from the grave? Read about these terrifying predicaments as well as what happens when practical jokes produce gruesome consequences and initiations go awry.

Mirabelle is part of a very unusual family. Between Uncle Bertram transforming into a ferocious grizzly bear and Aunt Eliza's body being made entirely of spiders, it's safe to say they are an extraordinary lot. To the human residents of Rookhaven Village, the family is a threat. So long ago, a treaty was reached between them, and an invisible glamour was set around the perimeter of the Manor to keep strangers out, and to keep Mirabelle and her family hidden from those who would do them harm.

In this spooky adventure, Jerry and her trusty wheelchair move into a creepy motel at the edge of the woods where nothing is as it seems. When her mom disappears, it's up to Jerry to brave the forest and its demons so she can save what's left of her family.

The house seemed to sit apart from the others on Katydid Street, silent and alone, like it didn't fit among them. After moving in, Violet falls ill--and does not get better. As days turn into weeks, she finds herself spending more time alone in her attic room with shadows moving in the corners, wrapping themselves around her at night. And soon, Violet starts to suspect that she might not be alone in the room at all.

Andie Jennings is set to inherit her family's magic on Midsummer's Eve. Except her gift doesn't come. But when a see-through cat starts following her, Andie realizes she didn't fail to get her magic at all. Her gift just isn't what anyone expected. Turns out, her new ability to communicate with ghosts may help her solve a mystery in Morning Glory and finally bring about some much-needed change.

Jake and the other finalists in a ghost-story writing competition have been invited to tour Grimstone Hall where they'll learn about the seven ghosts who haunt the grounds! As their guide leads them through grand rooms, hidden nooks, and magnificent grounds, they hear all about the ghosts. But strange shapes and shadows follow Jake as they move through the house, and the tour guide starts behaving very suspiciously.

Everyone in Southridge knows about the legend of the Gravemother. They know how to leave offerings by the abandoned house she was supposedly murdered in to pacify her. They know better than to trespass on her property. But not everyone believes in the tale-especially not fourteen-year-old Rhett, who lives around the corner from the old mansion.

Zach, Poppy, and Alice have been friends forever. And for almost as long, they've been playing one continuous, ever-changing game of pirates and thieves, mermaids and warriors. Ruling over all is the Great Queen, a bone-china doll cursing those who displease her. But they are in middle school now. Zach's father pushes him to give up make-believe, and Zach quits the game. Their friendship might be over, until Poppy declares she's been having dreams about the Queen--and the ghost of a girl who will not rest until the bone-china doll is buried in her empty grave.

Rika Lovelace is in trouble. The kind of trouble that sends her to her grandmother's estate in Trinidad for the whole summer. But something about the island feels...different. Rika meets a group of kids called Minders, who seem to have elemental powers. Even worse, she can sense jumbies lurking in the shadows. She wants a ticket home, but when the Minders let slip that her long-lost mom is in danger, she knows she can't leave.

When a boring old skatepark opening becomes the scene of a something truly strange, CJ Delaney can't believe her luck. This is just the kind of big story she's dreamed of breaking for the town's local paper. With best friend Parker in tow, CJ is determined to get to the bottom of everything and save the town from evil.

Monster wants to be the star of a chilling, petrifying, utterly terrifying SCARY story. But scary stories ... well, they can be very scary -- especially for their characters! Particularly when they involve dark forests and creepy witches and spooky houses ... Oh yikes and crikes, this is definitely not the scary story Monster had in mind!

On Halloween night, Stillwater the giant panda tells Karl, Addy, and Michael a spooky and unusual story. Based on a Zen koan, includes an author's note with a history of the story and facts about Zen koans.

In this illustrated version of the classic novelty song, a mad scientist's monster performs a new dance which becomes "the hit of the land" when the scientist throws a party for other monsters.

On Halloween, Melly is invited to Cousin Malberta's home for a surprise, but as she walks there on a beautifully spooky evening, she is followed by increasing numbers of creatures that may actually be frightening.

A boy who looks ordinary transforms into grumbling Crankenstein when he receives more tricks than treats on Halloween.

Join five adorable little pumpkins on their romp through their neighborhood in this silly rhyming story that celebrates all that is fun about Halloween.

A Caldecott Award-winning author-artist creates an ingenious way for kids to chase away their nighttime monsters.

Misty the Ghost is feeling sad. The haunted house she lives in is cold and damp. Spiders have taken over her living room. And worst of all, nobody thinks she is spooky. They think she is (gasp!) CUTE. But after trying to disguise herself as a mummy, a werwolf, and a witch--with hilarious results--Misty learns that true happiness comes from just being herself.

Bruce is a bear who does not like holidays, and he really doesn't like Halloween. His family of mice and geese decide the only way to get Bruce excited about Halloween is to tell a spooky story. But their campfire tale takes a turn when a ghostly visitor appears. Will Bruce get in the Halloween spirit? Or will the Halloween spirit get Bruce?

WARNING! This is a VERY scary story. It is the most spine-chilling story anyone could ever read. It takes place in a horrifying haunted house (okay, not that terrifying) with a creepy creature (well, maybe not that creepy) and its frightening friends (but are they that frightening?)

Jillian thinks there's a ghost in her basement. King and Kayla know that ghosts aren't real, but what is making that dark shape and that scary noise?

Welcome to Kersville, a town with a spooky history and a collection of ghosts who are major mischief-makers. Most kids spend their days without ever seeing or dealing with a ghost, but some kids get stuck with a haunt. When that happens, they call Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol. There's no job too spooky, icky, or risky for Desmond.

In a big abandoned house, on a barren hill, lives a skull. A brave girl named Otilla has escaped from terrible danger and run away, and when she finds herself lost in the dark forest, the lonely house beckons. Her host, the skull, is afraid of something too, something that comes every night. Can brave Otilla save them both?

Sam Graves discovers that his elementary school is alive and plotting against the students, and, as hall monitor, it is his job to protect them--but he will need some help from his friends.

From "Mary, Mary, Tall and Scary" to "Wee Willie Werewolf," this collection of classic nursery rhymes turned on their heads will give readers the chills--and a serious case of belly laughs. With clever rhyme and spooky illustrations, Mother Ghost is perfect for getting in the Halloween spirit. Boo!

An illustrated collection of short poems about witches, werewolves, broomsticks, and other signs of Halloween.

Presents a collection of silly, scary, and disgusting poems about monsters and other unusual creatures.

If you take your trick-or-treat sack and venture into the dark woods on Halloween night, you'll find cat bones, rat bones, and bat bones - and all are looking at YOU!

It's Halloween night! The rising moon lights the way for trick-or-treaters and sets the mood for a spooky celebration where imagination rules.

School is tough. School is scary. School is EERIE. No one knows this better than Davis and Emily. But they're not scared of school because of tough tests or merciless vice-principals. No, they're scared because their teacher wants her students to present the class with the spookiest, most chilling stories they can think of.

Diana and her little brother know every inch of the land around the old Willis place, a crumbling mansion that some people say is haunted. When Lissa arrives with her father, the new caretaker of the estate, Diana is overjoyed. But there are rules that must be followed in order to keep the peace. If Diana makes contact with Lissa, she could unleash evil forces beyond her control.

When Liv Livingston's parents pack up and move the family to Gloomsdale, Liv quickly learns that life is going to be very different, especially in a literal ghost town. Some students have gleaming fangs, and let's just say her new house might be haunted. Will Gloomsdale dampen Liv's spirits? Or can she find her place?

Maggie wants to spend her summer at theater camp, but is shipped off to fat camp instead. When Maggie arrives at camp, things are weird. The campers are also encouraged to donate blood--at their age! And then campers start going missing and other suspicious things begin happening--especially after dark. The camp ghost might be the least scary thing about this place.