Scary stories can be spooky and fun for readers! Learning more about ghost stories, haunted houses, and the supernatural can add a creepy twist to any scary book. These book recommendations are from teachers and will help capture the attention of middle school readers. Add these spooky, scary, horror stories to your list for middle schoolers.
1. Out to Get You
With thirteen individual stories with illustrations to match, this book is frightfully fun to read. This is a perfect book pick for students who enjoy reading about the supernatural and ghost stories. Be sure to add this to your classroom shelf so it can have plenty of reads during the spooky seasons!
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2. Hide and Seeker
This totally creepy and spooky fiction tale will leave readers spooked and a little scared. When a young boy goes missing and turns up a year later, his group of friends quickly and accidentally figure out where he has been and what has happened to him. This creepy page-turner is sure to add in the element of scare factor.
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3. The Folcroft Ghosts
While staying with their grandparents, two youngsters must adapt to their creepy house, as they learn a dark secret. The more they get to know their estranged grandparents, the more family secrets they wonder about while they are staying there. This book is a must-read for any horror fan!
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4. The Cursed
Recently released, this horror book is based on the television show Creepshow. It is about a girl who dresses in old clothes and dreams that she lives in the old times as well. But does she?
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5. Small Spaces
Ultimately creepy and spooky, this chapter book tells of a girl who reads about ghosts. Not far from her school she discovers the burial sites of the ghosts she has been reading about. When her school bus breaks down, the bus driver has a word of warning, run! And stay in small spaces. Definitely, one of the scary books to add to your bookshelf.
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6. Spirit Hunters
This spooky story is full of surprises. When Harper arrives at her new home, she is convinced it is haunted. Now she must face her haunted house story head-on and the bad spirits within the house. This creepy story is one of a series of books.
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7. Bleeding Violet
This young adult book is a must-read for those who enjoy the supernatural. Creepy undertones of a paranormal world, guarded by demon hunters pave the way for middle graders to enjoy this scary book. As Hannah sets out to find her mother, she longs to learn more about her family history.
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8. Dread Nation
This historical thriller is a great addition to your school library. The book's author paints a picture of Civil War timeframes and segregation during a time when life is bleak. This is a great mix of science fiction, historical fiction, and mystery.
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9. The Girl From the Well
A girl who was killed finds superpowers in helping release innocent ghosts and wreaking havoc on those who hurt them. She still cannot find the peace she is looking for, but she soon meets a boy who may be able to help her, and she helps him.
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10. The Ghost Collector
Shelley has a special gift, like all the other women in her family. She helps ghosts crossover and finds their new place. Sadly, when Shelley loses someone close to her, she doesn't want to help the ghosts move on anymore. Instead, she wants to keep them.
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11. The Ickabog
This odd monster creature is called the Ickabog. He comes out and while everyone believes he is simply a myth, he turns out creating havoc in their kingdom. Will the two children in the story be brave enough to stop him?
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12. Minnesota Hauntings
This collection of 21 ghost stories is all said to be totally true. This makes a perfect read-aloud at a campfire. Beware, though, as these stories are said to be true! They will provide a good scare from stories about ghosts, hauntings, and murders.
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13. Ghost Girl
In this ghost story, a young girl loves to read about ghost stories! Then, she finds herself in the middle of a ghost story. She learns the value of friendship and trust throughout this book.
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14. This Town is Not All Right
Twins move to a new place, very different from the sunny and bright place they've always lived before. They learn quickly that there is something not quite right. When one of the twins finds herself in trouble, her twin sets out to rescue her.
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15. City of Ghosts
After drowning, a girl is able to be part of the world of ghosts and part of the world as a human. She is able to separate the two and live in both places. She soon learns that the world of ghosts is dangerous as well.
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16. The Girl in the Locked Room
Fear overcomes Jules, a girl who just moved into her new home. She sees a ghostly face in the window and is convinced that a ghost lives in her attic. She sets out to find answers and tried to help the ghostly girl in her attic.
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17. The Ash House
The Ash House is a place where a young boy goes to find healing. There are strange things happening in this place. It is difficult to understand exactly what is happening. Then a doctor shows up to help treat their pain. Will this help or hurt them?
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18. The Plentiful Darkness
The Plentiful Darkness is full of magic and mystique. Rooney collects moonlight and uses a magic mirror to help her. She always steers clear of a group of boys and the trouble they may bring with them until one gets her magic mirror.
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19. The Dollhouse Murders
The Dollhouse Murders bring on the creep and the fright! While Amy leaves the dolls in certain places, she always finds that they have moved. She is creeped out when she sees an odd light filling the dollhouse. What will happen next?
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20. Wait Till Helen Comes
This ghost story is real in so many ways. The stepsiblings in a newly blended family aren't getting along and the youngest step-sister warns that the ghost she talks to, Helen, is coming after the other brother and sister.
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21. The Thirteenth Cat
This creepy cat book, brought to us by Mary Downing Hahn, is a spooky tale of a girl visiting her aunt and coping with the scary woods next door. The forest is inhabited by tons of black cats and the rumors say the woods are haunted.
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22. Among the Hidden
An intriguing novel for middle schoolers, this story tells the tale of a boy who has remained hidden his whole life. Where he is from, only two children are allowed in the home. He is the third child and must stay hidden in order to stay safe. Then, he meets a shadow of a girl, much like himself. What will they decide to do together?
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23. Coraline
Imagine how Coraline must have felt when she finds a tiny door and escapes to a brand new world! A world, that in fact looked much like her own. All is well and fun until she wants to leave and realizes the new little family will do whatever it takes to keep her.
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24. Doll Bones
This is a wonderful book about friendship. Three friends grow up together and avoid being cursed by the vicious queen ruler with an angry spirit. They all cannot help but wonder if the doll is simply a doll or if the doll is housing an ancient curse and malicious spirit.
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25. The Graveyard Book
Could it get any creepier? The young boy in this story lives his entire life in a graveyard! He is being raised by ghosts and spirits. What will happen when he encounters Jack? Jack is the person who killed his family. Will he be next?
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26. There's Someone Inside Your House
Best suited for teens and in the upper middle school bracket, this realistic fiction story is sure to bring up some scares! The thrill and suspense in this book will keep the reader on edge and waiting to see what happens next.
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27. The Betrayal
The first book in a young adult horror series, The Betrayal is a book about supernatural and curses. The best thing to do in these books is to avoid murder. The paranormal twists enhance the plot and storylines. This book is a good choice for any spooky season.
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28. What Lives in the Woods
When a young girl has her entire summer planned out, her world gets shaken up and her plans thrown off course when her father takes the family on a month-long trip for his business. When they arrive at their summer location, they quickly realize there are some sinister things happening around them. There are rumors of demon creatures living in the nearby woods. This is definitely a book for fans of thrillers and scares!
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29. Don't Turn Out The Lights
Looking for a different type of horror book for your middle schoolers? Try this one! It is an anthology of different pieces put together to form a collection of 35 short stories. Don't be misled, these are some of the scariest stories you will read in one of the scariest books published for young adults.
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30. The Night Gardener
Irish siblings journey to a new place to become servants. As they arrive there, the night gardener follows them. The siblings soon realize an ancient curse has been set on them. Will they be able to escape in time or will it be too late?
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