there is a kiddo on the street that told her dad she only wants book recommendations from the Halloween Man Neighbor.
that’s me, btw
middle grade horror is not something i’m well-versed in. so far she’s loved: The Graveyard Book (Gaiman), Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (Schwartz)
i need recs
that’s me, btw
middle grade horror is not something i’m well-versed in. so far she’s loved: The Graveyard Book (Gaiman), Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (Schwartz)
i need recs
Comments
Also, Anne Ursu (@anneursu.bsky.social) is promoting her new book. Haven't read it yet, but she offered copies to school libraries. Consider rewarding that kind of generosity.
Some of the Ray Bradbury stories can jangle the nerves, but what was once gee-whiz speculation is now old hat (looking at you The Veldt).
R.L. Stine and Goosebumps is still popular.
Some of my more mature middle graders like April Henry
also i love Junji Ito! will have her dad look it over to double check. she adored the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark original art, so i don’t think Ito’s work is too far from that
Also What We Found in the Sofa and How It Saved The World by Henry Clark.
The Tiffany Aching books by Terry Pratchett. I think the first one is Wee Free Men.
Definitely could be a bit scary for a younger kid with a very vivid imagination but worth a try.
Is there a union or something he could join?
this one is terrific!!!
I have been fondly wishing I had it growing up.
Also Stephen King. The language might be a bit much though.
Of course this was 89-95 so YMMV, I don't read horror anymore
Also in a few years she'll be ready for Shirley Jacksons' We Have Always Lived in the Castle, which is both scary and creepy.
Everyone knows what is and isn't ok for their kids (and kids they know very well), though.
forgot about these!!
thanks!!!
Anything by Jennifer Killick (she’s great!)
No place for mosnters series (the link I sent)
It’s so good!!
The Night Gardener
Small Spaces + sequels
Verdigris Deep and Cuckoo Song by Franny Billingsley
I love kid's horror, it's some of the best of the genre
But yeah Cuckoo Song is fucked I love it lol
John Connolly's The Gates might hit the mark too.
Also We Have Always Lived in the Castle but that might be a little advanced (depending)
Lots of Gaiman vibes, very weird and creepy, also funny at times
I've heard good things about HIDE AND SEEKER and I've yet to read THE FORGOTTEN GIRL but it's on my shelf
What age is middle grade geared to (I think I don't have a great grasp of that term)?
Also the giraffes actually absolutely terrified me and I don't spook easily.
And I should clarify that I read this aloud to my children about a decade ago.
- "The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray" by Chris Wooding, and
- "The Changeover" by Margaret Mahy
might be places to start?
Nightbooks by J.A. White (about a young writer trapped in an urban witch's apartment, and the process of creation.)
The Smashed Man of Dread End by J.W. Ocker (wonderfully bizarre urban legend style monster.)
The Doll's Eye by Marina Cohen (an actual Bad End, rare for MG.)
I loved it and I can never read it again 😂
Summer in Orcus is technically MG fantasy, and so is A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking, but Kingfisher/Vernon always sneaks some horror in there.