These books are the ultimate creepy books for middle-grade readers. I am not a scary-kind-of-book reader, but I did read all of these and can speak to how scary they are. Wow. If you have a kid in your life who likes scary- these are good starting points.

The books

The Nest by Kenneth Oppel 🇨🇦

In this beautiful, menacing novel, perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline, an anxious boy becomes convinced that angels will save his sick baby brother. But these are creatures of a very different kind, and their plan for the baby has a twist. Layer by layer, he unravels the truth about his new friends as the time remaining to save his brother ticks down. (Kenneth Oppel website)

Ages 9+

Anna-Jane and the Endless Summer by Paige Classey

Super creepy camp-turned-survival when some kind of sickness shuts the world down. Kids are stuck at camp to try to survive and understand what is going on. Some students work together to grow a garden and start noticing something off with the insects…

Ages 9–13

Goosebumps: The Haunted Mask (graphic novel) by R.L. Stine, adapted by Maddi Gonzalez

Carly Beth buys the scariest mask in the store for Halloween, and then discovers it won’t come off. A classic, now as a graphic novel. The story is creepy, but with the drawings it kind of adds to the scare-factor.

Ages 8–13

Heart-Pounding Horror Speed Reads by Anthony Wacholtz

Super fast stories that kids won’t be able to put down. Every story has it’s own fear factor or creepiness. Even my 14 year old read them and was making this face 😳😳😳. Perfect for reluctant readers.

Ages 8–13

Remember Me, Daphne by Celia Krampien 🇨🇦

A girl hoping her new neighbor will become her BFF gets caught up in the family’s dangerous secrets in this illustrated middle grade novel that’s an “atmospheric ghost story exploring friendship, courage, and hidden truths” (Kirkus Reviews)

Ages 8–13

Moon Deer by Yoann Kavege

Beautifully drawn, and very dark graphic novel about the end of the world.

Ages 10yrs+