Best Ghost Stories for Kids and Teens

Looking for a few good haunts? It doesn't matter if you're celebrating Halloween or sitting around a campfire, there's nothing like a spooky ghost story. These paranormal books are full of delightfully creepy tales about ghosts, ghouls, and other supernatural spirits. From the kids who like super-scary stories to the ones who prefer lighter tales of friendly ghosts or courageous ghost hunters, there's sure to be something here that will give them goosebumps. This hand-picked list is full of spooky stories that really put the "boo" in books. And for more haunted tales, try our lists of Horror Books for Kids and Teens or Fantasy Books.

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Goldfish Ghost Poster Image
BOOK

Goldfish Ghost

age 3+

Lonely ghost fish finds a friend in charming seaside tale.

By: Lemony Snicket (2017)
Gustavo, the Shy Ghost Poster Image
BOOK

Gustavo, the Shy Ghost: The World of Gustavo, Book 1

age 3+

A ghostly sweet tale of courage and friendship.

By: Flavia Z. Drago (2020)
Leo: A Ghost Story Poster Image
BOOK

Leo: A Ghost Story

age 3+

Sweet, not scary story of friendship and imagination.

By: Mac Barnett (2015)
Madeline and the Old House in Paris Poster Image
BOOK

Madeline and the Old House in Paris

age 4+

Madeline helps a ghost get his wish in charming tale.

A Curious Tale of the In-Between Poster Image
BOOK

A Curious Tale of the In-Between

age 8+

Kinda creepy, kinda sweet ghost story for big kids, tweens.

By: Lauren DeStefano (2015)
The Einsteins of Vista Point book cover showing kids with flashlights looking at mysterious tower.
BOOK

The Einsteins of Vista Point

age 8+

Poignant adventure of loving family dealing with loss.

By: Ben Guterson (2022)
Ghosts Poster Image
BOOK

Ghosts

age 8+

Insightful, moving graphic novel of sisters facing fears.

By: Raina Telgemeier (2016)
The Girl and the Ghost Poster Image
BOOK

The Girl and the Ghost

age 8+

Spellbinding story of ghosts, strong girls, and friendship.

By: Hanna Alkaf (2020)
Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories Poster Image
BOOK

Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories

age 8+

Mild scares and laughs for Wimpy Kid fans.

By: Jeff Kinney (2021)
School of the Dead Poster Image
BOOK

School of the Dead

age 8+

Suspenseful, action-packed ghost story has mild scares.

By: Avi (2016)
Archimancy: Shadow School, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Archimancy: Shadow School, Book 1

age 9+

Heart, suspense abound in spooky middle school ghost story.

By: J.A. White (2019)
A Christmas Carol: In Prose, Being a Ghost Story of Christmas Poster Image
BOOK

A Christmas Carol: In Prose, Being a Ghost Story of Christmas

age 9+

Scrooge learns compassion in granddaddy of Christmas tales.

By: Charles Dickens (1843)
The Graveyard Book Poster Image
BOOK

The Graveyard Book

age 9+

Tale of boy raised by ghosts is both creepy and warmhearted.

By: Neil Gaiman (2008)
Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares: Paola Santiago, Book 2 Poster Image
BOOK

Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares: Paola Santiago, Book 2

age 9+

Second spooky fantasy keeps chills and thrills coming.

By: Tehlor Kay Mejia (2021)
Best Nerds Forever Poster Image
BOOK

Best Nerds Forever

age 10+

Ghostly mystery has humor, sadness, and surprising depth.

Cover of The Clackity
BOOK

The Clackity: Blight Harbor, Book 1

age 10+

Spooky middle grade ghost-buster delivers haunting thrills.

By: Lora Senf (2022)
Constable & Toop Poster Image
BOOK

Constable & Toop

age 10+

Thrilling ghost adventure has great characters, plus gore.

By: Gareth P. Jones (2013)
Doll Bones Poster Image
BOOK

Doll Bones

age 10+

Tween tale is both creepy and sweetly poignant.

By: Holly Black (2013)
Dreamwood Poster Image
BOOK

Dreamwood

age 10+

Fearless heroine tackles a deliciously creepy forest quest.

By: Heather Mackey (2014)
Ghost Boys Poster Image
BOOK

Ghost Boys

age 10+

Heavy look at black kids killed due to bigotry.