Books About Fear · 79 titles considered

The Best Fear Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about fear? 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.

Extra Weird! (WeirDo #3)
Live Fearless
The Dead End
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Fear

Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 1843

The Tell-Tale Heart

By Edgar Allan Poe

Dive into chilling tales of murder, madness, and mystery.

224 pages· 2,188 words· Est. 13 min read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 245,429 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2014

Extra Weird! (WeirDo #3)

By Anh Do · Book #3 in the WeirDo series

Can Weir balance soccer dreams and family antics without falling flat?

160 pages· 3,322 words· Est. 28 min read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,068 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$2184
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

Misfit Mansion

By Kay Davault · Book #1 in the Misfit Mansion series

A monster girl seeks a family in a human town, uncovering dark secrets.

304 pages· 9,734 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.4/5 Goodreads · 1,202 ratings
$22.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 13–16 · 2018

Live Fearless

Break free from fear and embrace a life of purpose and passion.

196 pages· 36,333 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 5,350 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2022

The Scariest Story You've Ever Heard

Two brothers face mysterious noises during a stormy blackout, leading to an unexpected twist.

48 pages· 444 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
4.3/5 Goodreads · 674 ratings
$18.95Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010

The Dead End

A summer in a haunted house turns terrifying as objects move on their own. Can Casey uncover the truth before it's too late?

192 pages· 27,910 words· Est. 4 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 3,549 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Endling #2: The First

A lone creature's quest uncovers a hidden colony and ignites a rebellion against looming war.

416 pages· 69,119 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
4.4/5 Goodreads · 3,362 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 2–6 · 2017

Wolf in the Snow

A girl and wolf cub lost in a snowstorm must find their way home together.

Caldecott Medal (2018)Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2017)
32 pages· 41 words· Est. 1 min read-aloud
5.3/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 5,626 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013

Emma: Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

By Coco Simon · Book #15 in the Cupcake Diaries series

A sister faces her fears to comfort her brother during his hospital stay.

160 pages· 24,723 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 590 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1999

Harry Potter y el prisionero de Azkaban

A fugitive wizard seeks Harry, while soul-sucking Dementors loom at Hogwarts.

384 pages· 110,203 words· Est. 12.5 hour read
4.6/5 Goodreads · 4,991,393 ratings
$16.95Save 6%
The Bookroo Book Club

Great books, picked for their age.

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

Find their book club
Bookroo book club box
Browse by age

Fear Picture Books

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

The Littlest Elephant

Ages 4–8 · 2026

A young elephant faces growing pains and memories on her special day.

Help! A Vampire's Coming!

Ages 4–8 · 2005

A first grader battles relentless nightmares of a vampire. Can he find peace?

The Island of the Skog

Ages 5–8 · 1973

Mice seek peace on an island, but a mysterious giant lurks.

Smoky Night

Ages 6–9 · 1994

A boy and his mother navigate chaos during the Los Angeles riots.

When I'm Feeling Scared

Ages 0–3 · 2005

Discover how children learn to manage fear and emotions effectively.

Who Is the Beast?

Ages 4–7 · 1990

A tiger discovers he's the feared beast of the jungle.

Big Chickens

Ages 3–5 · 2006

Four chickens flee a wolf, facing unexpected mishaps in the woods.

The Fright Before Christmas

Ages 6–8 · 2006

A dachshund puppy fears Santa, but strange noises hint at a scarier Christmas surprise.

Scaredy Squirrel

Ages 4–8 · 2006

A squirrel's life is turned upside down when he is forced to confront his fears and venture into the unknown.

The Too-Scary Story

The Too-Scary Story

2017

Two siblings listen to a bedtime story that blurs the line between imagined fears and comforting reality.

The Crocodile and the Dentist
Sale price
$1699

The Crocodile and the Dentist

Ages 3–5 · 1984

A crocodile and a dentist must face their fears in a humorous encounter.

What Was I Scared Of?

Ages 5–8 · 1997

A mysterious pair of pants haunts the woods, challenging one to face their fears.

View all fear picture books
Browse by age

Fear Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about fear for developing and independent readers.

On the Trail

Ages 4–8 · 2022

Lost in the woods, can Crackers find Peanut and Butter before it's too late?

The Graveyard Riddle

Ages 8–12 · 2021

A girl discovers a boy claiming to be a spy, leading to a mystery that tests trust and friendship.

The Light Jar
Sale price
$799

The Light Jar

Ages 9–12 · 2018

A boy is left alone in a forest cottage when his mother vanishes. Can he face his fears and find hope?

Strike Zone
Sale price
$999

Strike Zone

Ages 8–12 · 2019

A young pitcher faces fears beyond the baseball field as his family navigates immigration challenges.

Artemis (Graphic Novel)

Ages 9–14 · 2017

A goddess shunned at birth finds power in solitude and a bow.

Challenger Deep

Ages 13–17 · 2015

A teen's mind battles reality and fantasy on a voyage to the ocean's depths.

Sisters of the Neversea

Ages 8–12 · 2021

Stepsisters are whisked to a magical island by a mysterious boy. Can they find their way home?

The Wolf in Underpants

Ages 7–11 · 2016

Forest animals confront their fears when a wolf in underpants appears.

I Am Slappy's Evil Twin
Sale price
$799

I Am Slappy's Evil Twin

Ages 8–12 · 2017

Two sinister dummies come to life, threatening chaos. Can they be stopped?

Five Nights at Freddy's
Sale price
$1299

Five Nights at Freddy's

Ages 8–12 · 2023

Survive the night at a haunted pizzeria where animatronics come alive.

Here Comes the Shaggedy

Ages 8–12 · 2016

A swamp hides a legendary beast. Can they escape before it's too late?

Fazbear Frights (Graphic Novel)
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1499

Fazbear Frights (Graphic Novel)

Ages 13–17 · 2023

Three chilling tales reveal the dark side of seemingly innocent toys.

Keep exploring
Books about guilt and shame

Bookroo

  • About Us
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Help Center
  • Contact Us
  • Affiliates

Book Clubs

Follow Bookroo