Frightful Reads

Curl up under the covers with a few of these haunting books, if you dare.

(This list includes not only fiction stories but poetry and nonfiction as well from picture books, middle grade readers, and even a few young adult. I’ve included them all in one list because sometimes even picture books or non-fiction aren’t what you might expect.)

COBWEBS, CHATTERS AND CHILLS edited by Patricia M. Stockland (poetry)

The DARK-THIRTY: Southern Tales of the Supernatural by Patricia C. McKissack (MG)

The DEVIL, THE BANSHEE AND ME by L.M. Falcone (MG)

DIARY OF A SPIDER by Doreen Cronin (picture book)

GHOSTHUNTERS AND THE INCREDIBLY REVOLTING GHOST by Cornelia Funke (MG)

HAUNTING OF SWAIN’S FANCY by Brenda Seabrooke (MG)

HE CAME WITH THE COUCH by David Slonim (picture book)

The HEROIC ADVENTURES OF HERCULES AMSTERDAM by Melissa Glenn Haber (MG)

HOW TO PREVENT MONSTER ATTACKS by Dave Ross (NF)

HUGGLY AND THE TOY MONSTER by Tedd Arnold (picture book)

HUNGRY MONSTER by Phyllis Root (picture book)

INSIDE A HOUSE THAT IS HAUNTED by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (picture book)

LIGHTNING THIEF (and also) The SEA OF MONSTERS by Rick Riordan (YA)

The MAGIC PRETZEL (Werewolf Club Series) by Daniel Pinkwater (MG)

The MEANEST DOLL IN THE WORLD by Ann M. Martin (MG)

MONSTER MADNESS by Elizabeth Jaffe (picture book)

MONSTER MANUAL by Eric Ballinger (NF)

MOUSE’S HALLOWEEN by Jeanne Modesitti (picture book)

MY CREATURE TEACHER by Laura Leuck (picture book)

OCTAVIUS BLOOM: HOUSE OF DOOM by Erik Brooks (picture book)

SCARY BOOK by Joanna Cole (NF)

SKELETON MAN by Joseph Bruchac (YA)

WILEY LEARNS TO SPELL by Betsy Lewen (picture book)

WOLVES IN THE WALL by Neil Gaiman (picture book but not for young readers, very eerie)

YOUCH: REAL LIFE MONSTERS by Trevor Day (NF)