Books About Curses · 86 titles considered

The Best Curses Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about curses? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Curses

Howl's Moving Castle
Sale price
$1139
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 1986

Howl's Moving Castle

By Diana Wynne Jones · Book #1 in the Howl's Castle series

A spell turns Sophie into an old woman. Her only hope lies in a moving castle and a mysterious wizard.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (1986)
429 pages· 75,611 words· Est. 8.5 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 478,133 ratings
$11.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Sophie, cursed into old age by the Witch of the Waste, seeks refuge in the enigmatic Wizard Howl's moving castle. To break the spell, she must navigate a world where nothing is as it seems, striking deals with fire demons and confronting the witch herself. As Sophie delves deeper into the castle's mysteries, she uncovers hidden truths about Howl and her own destiny. Can she unravel the enchantment before it's too late, or will the castle's secrets consume her? Discover a tale of magic, identity, and unexpected love in this captivating fantasy.
The Wide-Awake Princess
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2010

The Wide-Awake Princess

By E.D. Baker · Book #1 in the Tales of the Wide-Awake Princess series

Annie must find her sister's true love to break a sleeping curse on the castle.

261 pages· 61,067 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 14,294 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Princess Annie, immune to magic, is the only one awake after a curse puts her castle to sleep. To save her sister, Sleeping Beauty, she must find true love's kiss. With the help of a guard named Liam, Annie navigates a land of familiar and new fairy tale characters. Is true love the irritating Digby, the charming Prince Andreas, or the scheming Clarence? As Annie races against time, she might just discover her own heart's desire. Can she unravel the mystery and awaken her family before it's too late?
The Sleeper and the Spindle (Graphic Novel)
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1899
Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2013

The Sleeper and the Spindle (Graphic Novel)

By Neil Gaiman, Chris Riddell (Illustrator)

A queen's quest intertwines with a cursed sleep, blending two classic tales into one dark adventure.

69 pages· 7,932 words· Est. 59 min read
3.9 Goodreads · 54,645 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: A queen sets out to rescue a kingdom trapped in enchanted slumber. As she navigates a web of magic and mystery, familiar fairy tales twist into a new, darkly humorous adventure. Will she awaken the sleeper or uncover something more sinister? Discover a world where beauty and danger collide, and nothing is as it seems.
Beautiful Creatures
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2009

Beautiful Creatures

By Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl · Book #1 in the Beautiful Creatures series

A cursed girl and a haunted boy uncover secrets in a mysterious southern town.

563 pages· 147,816 words· Est. 13.5 hour read
3.8 Goodreads · 627,306 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In the forgotten town of Gatlin, Lena struggles to hide her family's curse. Ethan, plagued by dreams of a mysterious girl, is drawn to her when she arrives at the old plantation. As secrets unravel, their connection could change everything. What lies beneath the surface of this southern town?
Inferno New Year
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 5–9 · 2021

Inferno New Year

By Jordan Quinn, Glass House Graphics (Illustrator) · Book #5 in the Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly series

A group of dragon friends embark on a journey to deliver a pie to the king, but things take a turn when they discover the pie has been cursed, leading to a series of adventures and challenges

144 pages· 4,843 words· Est. 1 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 435 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: As Inferno New Year approaches, Ruskin and his dragon friends brace for Crestwood's volcanic eruption. With Cinder, Groth, and Roke seeking refuge at the palace, danger looms beyond the lava-fall. When the explosions subside, the island's landscape isn't the only thing transformed. What new challenges will these dragons face in a world forever altered?
Danger at Dead Man's Pass
Sale price
$2374
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2022

Danger at Dead Man's Pass

By M. G. Leonard, Sam Sedgman, Elisa Paganelli (Illustrator) · Book #4 in the Adventures on Trains series

A young detective faces a family curse and haunted railway mystery.

272 pages· 52,385 words· Est. 6 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,099 ratings
$24.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Twelve-year-old Hal Beck, an artist and budding detective, is drawn into a chilling mystery involving a family curse and a haunted railway. Invited by Baron Essenbach, Hal and his Uncle Nat must uncover the truth behind the Kratzenstein family's dark legend—a supposed deal with the devil. As they go undercover, strange occurrences escalate, challenging Hal to solve the supernatural puzzle before time runs out. Can Hal unravel the secrets of the past and save the present, or will the curse claim another victim? Dive into this thrilling adventure and discover the truth lurking in the shadows.
The Sleeping Beauty
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017

The Sleeping Beauty

By New York City Ballet, Valeria Docampo (Illustrator)

Experience a modern ballet retelling of The Sleeping Beauty with stunning illustrations.

40 pages· 1,157 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud
5.5/7 Bookroo·3.7/5 Goodreads · 96 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Step into the enchanting world of The Sleeping Beauty, reimagined by the New York City Ballet. Follow the captivating journey of a princess cursed to eternal slumber, brought to life through exquisite choreography and breathtaking illustrations by Valeria Docampo. Will true love's kiss awaken her? This beautifully illustrated book is a must-have for aspiring ballerinas and families who cherish timeless fairy tales.
The 12th Candle
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

The 12th Candle

By Kim Tomsic

A girl blames a family curse for her misery and makes a wish on a magic candle.

336 pages· 59,884 words· Est. 8.5 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 127 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Every time something goes right for Priscilla Petty, it goes horribly wrong for Sage Sassafras, thanks to a curse Sage has lived under since birth. She blames it for everything from losing a friend to her father's trouble with the law. When she is given a magical candle on her twelfth birthday, Sage wishes to reverse the curse. When the wish takes a terrible turn, she must team up with her worst enemy.
Will Solvit and the Mummy's Curse
Chapter Book · 2010

Will Solvit and the Mummy's Curse

Book #3 in the Will Solvit series

A boy's trip to Egypt uncovers a cursed tomb and zombie mummies.

128 pages· 13,792 words
4.4 Goodreads · 137 ratings
Hardcover
Summary: Ten-year-old Will embarks on an unexpected journey to Egypt, thanks to his dad's wild inventions. Faced with a cursed tomb and a temple of zombie mummies, Will must navigate ancient mysteries and crack secret codes. Can he survive the adventure and uncover the truth behind the curse? Dive into this thrilling tale filled with action and intrigue, perfect for young explorers.
Lei and the Fire Goddess
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

Lei and the Fire Goddess

By Malia Maunakea · Book #1 in the Lei and the Legends series

A cursed flower, a kidnapped friend, and a battle with mythical forces await Anna in Hawaii.

304 pages· 77,362 words· Est. 11 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 896 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Twelve-year-old Anna Leilani Kamaʻehu dismisses her grandmother's Hawaiian legends as mere stories. But during a vacation in Hawaii, she accidentally angers Pele, the fire goddess, leading to her friend's abduction by a giant hawk. To save her friend, Anna must confront mythical creatures, ally with demigods, and navigate Pele's traps. As she battles these challenges, Anna must embrace her Hawaiian heritage to break the curse and rescue her loved ones. Will she uncover the strength within her roots to triumph over the supernatural forces at play?
The Bookroo Book Club

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Books worth reading again and again, delivered to your door every month.

BoardAges 0–3PictureAges 3–6Junior ChapterAges 7–10Middle GradeAges 9–12
Books from a Bookroo book club in their box
Browse by age

Curses Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about curses for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Reading Beauty
Series
Sale price
$1799

Reading Beauty

Ages 3–5 · 2019

A princess sets out to break a curse that causes her to fall into a death-like sleep after getting a paper cut from a book.

Princess Tales
Sale price
$1699

Princess Tales

Ages 4–6 · 2013

Discover reimagined princess tales where familiar stories take unexpected turns and hidden secrets await.

Disney Sleeping Beauty
Sale price
$599

Disney Sleeping Beauty

Ages 3–7 · 1986

A princess's fate hangs in the balance when love defies a dark curse.

The Six Swans
Sale price
$1795

The Six Swans

Ages 4–8 · 2006

A sister must break a spell to save her brothers turned into swans.

The Pack, Part 1
Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$3422

The Pack, Part 1

Ages 2–6 · 2013

Wolverine faces a new threat: dark magic turns him into a werewolf.

Beauty and the Beast
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$3564

Beauty and the Beast

Ages 7–11 · 1992

A prisoner must teach a beast kindness to break a curse.

Mad About Plaid
Sale price
$1799

Mad About Plaid

Ages 4–7 · 2000

A purse's curse turns everything plaid. Can it be stopped?

View all curses picture books
Browse by age

Curses Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about curses for developing and independent readers.

Of Mice and Magic
#2 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1499

Of Mice and Magic

Ages 8–12 · 2016

A princess tackles a mysterious curse that forces mice to dance all night.

The Carrefour Curse
Sale price
$1899

The Carrefour Curse

Ages 8–12 · 2023

A girl uncovers dark family secrets in a crumbling magical mansion.

Miss Fortune
#3 in Series
Sale price
$599

Miss Fortune

Ages 8–12 · 2010

A cursed necklace brings chaos. Can Zoe break the spell before disaster strikes?

The Girl in White
Sale price
$1699

The Girl in White

Ages 8–12 · 2022

A girl confronts a ghost to break a town's ancient curse.

The Curse of Ravenscourt
Series
Sale price
$695

The Curse of Ravenscourt

Ages 8–10 · 2005

A family moves into a grand new building, then everything starts going wrong. Is it cursed?

Isle of Ever
Series
Sale price
$1699

Isle of Ever

Ages 10–13 · 2025

A vanished island holds the key to a fortune and a curse. Can Benny find it in time?

View all curses chapter books
Keep exploring
Books about curses and spellsBooks about falling in loveBooks about helping othersBooks about individualityBooks about psychic abilitiesBooks about secretsBooks about Sleeping BeautyBooks about small towns