Horror Books for Kids and Teens

Sometimes a good scare is just the thing. These horror stories are deliciously spooky without being too terrifying -- perfect for a fall night by the fire! But it doesn't need to be Halloween time for kids and teens to enjoy these picks. These gripping tales full of zombies, haunted houses, and other supernatural scares will keep kids turning pages late into the night. And unlike horror movies that often rely on jump scares and gore, these well-written scary books provide all the creepiness without those concerns. So try out one of our favorite horror books, and for more spooky stories, try our Best Ghost Stories for Kids and Teens.

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Eerie Elementary series Poster Image
BOOK

Eerie Elementary series

age 6+

Spooky tales of kids at a school that's alive and angry.

By: Jack Chabert (2014)
The House with a Clock in Its Walls: Lewis Barnavelt, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

The House with a Clock in Its Walls: Lewis Barnavelt, Book 1

age 8+

Ten-year-old raises the dead in creepy Gothic classic.

By: John Bellairs (2004)
Jason Strange:  The Graveyard Plot Poster Image
BOOK

Jason Strange: The Graveyard Plot

age 8+

Spine-tingling fun for young horror fans.

By: Jason Strange (2012)
Nightmares!: Nightmares, Book 1 Poster Image
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Nightmares!: Nightmares, Book 1

age 8+

Empowering, sweet story about the fears that haunt us.

Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories Poster Image
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Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories

age 8+

Mild scares and laughs for Wimpy Kid fans.

By: Jeff Kinney (2021)
Serafina and the Black Cloak Poster Image
BOOK

Serafina and the Black Cloak

age 8+

Spooky mystery-thriller about supernatural evil.

By: Robert Beatty (2015)
book cover Wretched Waterpark
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Wretched Waterpark: Sinister Summer, Book 1

age 8+

Fun, spooky summertime romp launches clever tween series.

By: Kiersten White (2022)
Zombie Mommy Poster Image
BOOK

Zombie Mommy

age 8+

Humor and horror mix in fun, fast-paced series installment.

By: M.T. Anderson (2011)
Archimancy: Shadow School, Book 1 Poster Image
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Archimancy: Shadow School, Book 1

age 9+

Heart, suspense abound in spooky middle school ghost story.

By: J.A. White (2019)
Case File 13: Zombie Kid Poster Image
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Case File 13: Zombie Kid

age 9+

Goofy horror tale has light scares and lots of body humor.

By: J. Scott Savage (2012)
Dust & Grim Poster Image
BOOK

Dust & Grim

age 9+

Sibs run funeral home for monsters in clever horror comedy.

By: Chuck Wendig (2021)
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)
The Graveyard Book Graphic Novel: Volume 1 Poster Image
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The Graveyard Book Graphic Novel: Volume 1

age 9+

Gorgeous adaptation catches all the magic of original novel.

The House in Poplar Wood Poster Image
BOOK

The House in Poplar Wood

age 9+

Teens bond, match wits with Death in riveting tale.

By: K.E. Ormsbee (2018)
Professor Gargoyle: Tales from Lovecraft Middle School #1 Poster Image
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Professor Gargoyle: Tales from Lovecraft Middle School #1

age 9+

Humorous homage to classic horror is perfect for tween boys.

By: Charles Gilman (2012)
Covershot
BOOK

The Stars Did Wander Darkling

age 9+

Small-town teens battle monsters in smart horror thriller.

By: Colin Meloy (2022)
Zombie Baseball Beatdown Poster Image
BOOK

Zombie Baseball Beatdown

age 9+

Goofy horror/action comedy has serious underpinnings.

By: Paolo Bacigalupi (2013)
Bloom: The Overthrow, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Bloom: The Overthrow, Book 1

age 10+

Killer plants take over the Earth in gripping series start.

By: Kenneth Oppel (2020)
The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls Poster Image
BOOK

The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls

age 10+

Deeply creepy, thought-provoking tale of weird school.

By: Claire Legrand (2012)
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)