Books About Scary Stories

The Best Scary Stories Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about scary stories? 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.

Series

#2 in Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Scary Stories

The Doll in the Hall and Other Scary Stories

Sale price

$2279

Chapter Book · Ages 5–7 · 2021

The Doll in the Hall and Other Scary Stories

By Max Brallier, Letizia Rubegni (Illustrator) · Book #3 in the Mister Shivers series

Discover eerie tales where dolls move and mysteries lurk in shadows.

64 pages· 1,319 words· Est. 22 min read

4.0 Goodreads · 267 ratings

$23.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Mia's first babysitting job takes a chilling turn when a life-sized doll appears in the hallway, its eyes following her every move. This is just one of five spine-tingling stories where unexpected twists and eerie mysteries await. Who is watching, and what secrets do these tales hold? Perfect for young readers seeking a thrill, each story promises to captivate and spook, leaving them eager for more. Dare to uncover the mysteries within?

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2007

The Curse of the Campfire Weenies

By David Lubar · Weenies Stories series

Young heroes face bizarre monsters and urban mysteries in creepy tales.

208 pages· 36,887 words· Est. 4 hour read

3.9 Goodreads · 830 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Mass Market Paperback

Summary: Dive into a world where young heroes confront bizarre monsters and urban mysteries. From a boy solving the pigeon poop enigma to a class discovering why kindness to teachers matters, each tale twists reality. An ancient predator lurks online, while a girl and her brother flee a campfire weenie only to face a singing Girl Scout troop. These thirty-five stories blend humor and horror, revealing the dark corners of imagination. Discover the inspiration behind each tale and prepare for a journey that will amuse and terrify in equal measure.

Tales to Give You Goosebumps

Sale price

$379

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1994

Tales to Give You Goosebumps

By R.L. Stine · Book #1 in the Tales to Give You Goosebumps series

Discover eerie tales of sinister siblings, mysterious gadgets, and a teddy bear with a dark side.

129 pages

3.8 Goodreads · 824 ratings

$3.99Save 5%

Mass Market Paperback

Summary: Dive into a world where an evil baby sister wreaks havoc, a remote control holds unexpected powers, and a snake-loving teacher hides secrets. Beware the cuddly teddy bear with a sinister twist. These ten spine-chilling stories promise to keep you on edge, questioning what lurks in the shadows. Will you brave the night and uncover the mysteries within?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 10–+ · 2022

Tales to Keep You Up at Night

By Dan Poblocki, Marie Bergeron (Illustrator)

A mysterious book's tales come to life, blurring fiction and reality.

272 pages· 56,358 words· Est. 8 hour read

3.8 Goodreads · 598 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Amelia discovers a mysterious book in her grandmother's attic, filled with eerie tales of strange events and witches. As she reads, the stories begin to manifest around her, blurring the line between fiction and reality. With each page, Amelia is drawn deeper into a chilling mystery, where the ordinary hides the extraordinary, and witches could be anyone. Can she unravel the truth before the stories consume her? This spine-tingling journey will keep you questioning what is real and what is imagined, long into the night.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 3–6 · 2015

Fright Club

By Ethan Long · Fright Club series

Monsters face off against cute critters to see who’s truly the scariest.

32 pages· 448 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

3.7 Goodreads · 947 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: On Halloween eve, Fright Club's elite monsters—Vladimir the Vampire, Fran K. Stein, Sandy Witch, and Virginia Wolf—prepare for Operation Kiddie Scare. But when adorable critters crash their meeting, the monsters must prove who’s truly terrifying. Will the cute newcomers out-scare the seasoned ghouls? Join the spooky showdown and discover who reigns supreme in this laugh-out-loud tale.

Sale price

$1348

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2013

I Scream, You Scream!

By James Preller, Iacopo Bruno (Illustrator) · Book #2 in the Scary Tales series

A mysterious ticket sends two kids on a ride they may never escape.

112 pages· 7,340 words· Est. 1 hour read

3.6 Goodreads · 206 ratings

$13.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Sam Carver loves amusement parks and the thrill of a scary ride. When she and her new friend Andy use a strange ticket, they find themselves on a ride that turns into a real nightmare. The second Scary Tales book.

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2022

The Black Slide

By J.W. Ocker

A strange new playground slide leads two friends to a world of bloodthirsty creatures.

272 pages· 52,907 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

3.4 Goodreads · 202 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Griffin Birch isn't known for being brave, but the new black slide on his elementary school playground makes him curious, so he follows his best friend, Laila, down it. The slide is a portal to a cruel world full of bloodthirsty creatures on a quest to become immortal, and it's up to Griffin to save himself, his friend and the future of Earth.

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12

Voices

By Damien Graves · Book #1 in the The Midnight Library series

Three kids learn that a small wish or worry can turn deadly.

163 pages· 29,201 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

$5.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: A collector of the most spine-chilling stories shares three tales. Kate hears voices in her head that warn of a terrifying future, Justin's running shoes start chasing him, and Tim wants an apple from the neighbor's perfect orchard no matter the cost. The first book of The Midnight Library.

Sale price

$2940

Chapter Book · Ages 8–10 · 2020

Horror in Connecticut

By Alex Giannini · Scary States (of Mind) series

Haunted graveyards, spooky houses and an occult museum: four scary tales from one state.

24 pages

3.7 Goodreads · 3 ratings

$30.95Save 5%

Library Binding

Summary: Connecticut may boast the oldest public library and the longest-running newspaper, but it has its share of scares too. This book visits haunted graveyards, spooky houses and an occult museum in four short, creepy tales from the state.

Paranormal Stories to Scare Your Socks Off!

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2024

Paranormal Stories to Scare Your Socks Off!

By Michael Dahl, Megan Atwood, Benjamin Harper, Laurie S. Sutton, Andi Espinosa (Illustrator) · Stories to Scare Your Socks Off! series

Ghost trains, UFOs and mind-reading powers lurk in eight chilling tales.

72 pages· 7,158 words· Est. 1 hour read

2.9 Goodreads · 13 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Can a family escape a train full of ghastly ghosts? Are two boys doomed when a UFO interrupts their camping trip? Will a girl's mind-reading powers drive her to madness? Four horror writers, including Michael Dahl, share eight short paranormal stories for young fans of scary tales, perfect for a campout or sleepover.

Ages 7–10Junior Chapter Book Club