Middle grade horror books are some of my favorites to read. And I’m not alone. Ask any librarian and they can tell you that horror for tweens is a hot commodity all year long.

Scary stories get kids’ hearts pumping and keep them glued to the page. There’s something addictive about monsters, magic, and things that go bump in the night. If you’re on the hunt for horror books for kids, then I’ve got you covered!

Since we’re getting close to Halloween, I put together my annual list of scary stories for tweens. If you want to see even more recommendations of spooky middle grade books, then check out the lists I’ve made in the past:

10 Creepy Middle Grade Books to Read this Halloween

12 Creepy Middle Grade Books to Read this Fall

Best Halloween Books for Middle Grade Readers

This year, we have some fantastic new middle grade horror books to talk about. We’ve got dark fantasy, middle grade ghost books, spooky Southern tales, and stories of villains galore.

So get out your flashlight because you’re going to need it! Here are the creepiest, spookiest middle grade horror books of 2018.

*This blog post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my link, I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you.

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Middle Grade Horror Books for Tweens

Twilight of the Elves (Adventurers Guild #2) by Zack Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos

This is the second book in the Adventurers Guild series. If you haven’t discovered these spooky middle grade books yet, then you’re sorely missing out. Full of adventure, magic, and a fantasy realm brimming with monsters, this dark fantasy series will keep kids (and parents) on the edge of their seats.

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Disney Villains: The Evilest of Them All by Rachael Upton

Explore the evilest minds ever to grace your television screen with this interactive book. It dives into the minds of all your favorite Disney villains as they reminisce about their evil deeds. With lift-the-flaps and fold-out pages, this little book is a must-have for any Disney villain fanatic!

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Time Tracers by Annabeth Bondor Stone and Connor White

When Taj wakes up one day to find that his summer was stolen, he goes on a mission to find father time and get his summer back. Action-packed and hilarious, this time-travel adventure is full of gross and funny moments that will keep kids racing through the pages.

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Babysitting Nightmares: The Shadow Hand by Kat Shepherd

This is another series of horror books for kids that like Goosebumps. Rebecca’s latest babysitting gig takes a turn for the weird when she notices her charge acting strangely. Together with her friends, Rebecca ventures into the spooky woods to defeat the evil Night Queen.

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Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh

If you’re looking for middle grade ghost books, then you need this title on your radar. It’s about a seventh-grade girl who tackles the spirits haunting her brother and her house. This spooky tale is perfect for kids that love middle grade horror books!

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Willa of the Wood by Robert Beatty

If your kid devoured Serafina and the Black Cloak, then make sure you snag Willa of the Wood from the library. Set in the same world, this is a tale of a young girl that lives in the woods, her people, and the terrifying changes that are happening.

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The Darkdeep by Ally Condie and Brendan Reich

Two powerhouse authors have teamed up to bring us The Darkdeep, a spooky story about a group of kids that find a hidden island surrounded by mist. Although it appears to be uninhabited, the kids know that something ancient and sinister lives there.

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Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier

This is the story of a young chimney sweep who is rescued from a deadly fire by a golem—a creature made from ash and coal. Together, they tackle life and all the bumps along the way. While this is not strictly a horror story, it’s a moving tale about two outcasts finding hope and friendship.

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Begone the Raggedy Witches (The Wild Magic Trilogy #1) by Celine Kiernan

The first book in a new series of spooky middle grade books, this is the story of a girl and her mam, taking on a trio of cold and ruthless witches. Filled with a magical and spooky atmosphere, this little book makes the perfect autumn read.

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Ernestine, Catastrophe Queen by Merrill Wyatt

Looking for middle grade horror books that are also smart and funny? Make sure to pick up Ernestine, Catastrophe Queen. This whodunnit mystery is jam-packed with humor, zombies, and adventure.

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The Haunted Serpent by Dora M. Mitchell

Thrills, chills, and dry humor abound in this action-packed and creepy middle grade novel. If you’re on the hunt for middle grade ghost books, then you’ll want to add this one to your list. After Spaulding gets chased through the woods by a revenant and notices smoke coming from the chimney of an abandoned factory, he can’t help but investigate.

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The Spirit of Cattail County by Victoria Piontek

Set in the Everglades of Florida, this spooky Southern ghost story is a quick read. When Sparrow’s mother dies from cancer, she tries to convince her silent ghost friend to help them communicate. Add this one to your list of middle grade horror books to read this Halloween!

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Evangeline of the Bayou by Jan Eldredge, illustrated by Joseph Kuefler

Another title to add to your list of horror books for kids is this Southern monster-hunting adventure. Secrets, monsters, magic, and a fierce heroine in silver-tipped alligator-skin boots make this spooky tale a must-read for Halloween.

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