Whether your little reader loves a light scare or your teen is ready for something properly eerie, there’s a spooky story out there for every age. Here are five of the best, each filled with mystery, mayhem, and just enough shivers to make you want to read with the lights on.
1. Coraline by Neil Gaiman (Ages 10+)
When Coraline discovers a mysterious door leading to an eerily perfect “other” version of her world, complete with button-eyed parents, she quickly learns that curiosity can be dangerous.
Why it appeals: It’s creepy, imaginative, and empowering all at once. Gaiman’s writing is darkly whimsical, giving young readers a delicious sense of danger without ever crossing the line into nightmare fuel.
Best for: Confident middle-grade readers who like a touch of gothic fantasy and clever heroines.
2. Goosebumps Series by R.L. Stine (Ages 8–12)
No spooky reading list is complete without R.L. Stine. From haunted masks to cursed cameras, each Goosebumps book offers a bite-sized scare with a twist ending.
Why it appeals: Short, snappy chapters and cliffhangers keep even reluctant readers hooked. The scares are just spooky enough to thrill without trauma.
Best for: Kids who love Halloween all year long, and parents who secretly enjoy revisiting their own childhood fears.
3. Small Spaces by Katherine Arden (Ages 9–13)
After a mysterious warning to “avoid large spaces,” Ollie and her friends find themselves stranded near a haunted field filled with scarecrows that seem to move on their own…
Why it appeals: It’s a modern middle-grade classic, beautifully written with genuine chills, heart, and friendship at its core. Think Are You Afraid of the Dark? meets The Secret Garden.
Best for: Readers ready for something a little more atmospheric and emotionally rich.
4. The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier (Ages 10–14)
Two orphans find work in a crumbling English manor where a mysterious tree, and an even darker secret, seem to feed on the household itself.
Why it appeals: Richly written, Victorian in tone, and surprisingly philosophical, this one blends folklore with ghost story elements and moral lessons about greed and storytelling.
Best for: Thoughtful tweens and early teens who like depth in their scares.
5. Lockwood & Co. Series by Jonathan Stroud (Ages 12–16)
In an alternate London overrun by ghosts, only children can sense the dead, and a small team of young ghost hunters take on some of the city’s most chilling hauntings.
Why it appeals: Action-packed, witty, and perfectly creepy, Stroud’s worldbuilding is superb. The dialogue sparkles, and the suspense keeps older readers turning pages late into the night.
Best for: Teen readers (and adults!) who love paranormal adventures, sharp humour, and a good ghost mystery.
Final Thoughts
From playful scares to genuinely haunting tales, these books offer something for every young thrill-seeker. Whether they’re giggling through a Goosebumps twist or diving into Coraline’s shadow world, spooky stories are the perfect way to build a lifelong love of reading, one shiver at a time.
