It’s that time of year again! With temperatures starting to drop, leaves changing colors, and sweaters coming out of storage, it’s time to grab a stack of spooky middle grade books to read with your kids. Whether you read them aloud (recommended for readers who scare easily) or let your kids read to themselves, these creepy MG novels have all the thrills and chills you could want.
From witches to monsters and everything in between, this list features some of the best middle grade horror books, scary books, and hair-raising novels guaranteed to send chills racing down your spine.
Want even more spooky middle grade books? Read my post from last year.
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Spooky Middle Grade Books
Serafina and the Seven Stars by Robert Beatty
Fans of this beloved series will be thrilled to get their hands on the latest installment. With peace restored to the Biltmore estate, Serafina moves into an upstairs bedroom to watch over the guests arriving for the estate’s annual hunt. Soon, Serafina realizes the house is haunted by terrifying entities and she will have to face her biggest and most frightening challenge yet.
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The Beast (The Darkdeep #2) by Ally Condie and Brendan Reich
Goonies meets Stranger Things in this delightfully creepy series. I’ve read both books to my kids and we loved the adventure, thrills, and chills on every page!
After saving the town of Timbers from monsters summoned from the mysterious black pool at the bottom of a houseboat, Nico, Opal, Tyler, Emma, and Logan think their troubles are over. But when unpredictable new monsters start materializing, the kids must figure out how and why they are appearing. With the crew of a tabloid-style YouTube show hunting a local beast, the kids must keep themselves and everyone else out of danger—all while protecting their secret.
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The Haunting of Henry Davis by Kathryn Siebel
As a small, pale boy, Henry Davis is instantly a curiosity to his classmates at his new school. When Barbara Anne befriends him, she finds out that Henry is being haunted by a ghost named Edgar. Together Barbara Anne and Henry begin to unravel the mystery behind Edgar, his life, death, and why he hasn’t moved on.
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Weird Little Robots by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by Corinna Luyken
If you need spooky middle grade books geared to younger readers, pick up a copy of this little book! Penny Rose and Lark become fast friends as they build a metropolis for the robots Penny Rose builds. When the robots come to life, the girls know they need to keep their existence a secret. But when Penny Rose is offered the chance to join a secret science society, she risks everything. Not only does this book promote a love of science and curiosity, but it also takes place on Halloween. Packed with friendship, science, and a few frights, this illustrated novel is perfect for kids making the transition into middle grade novels.
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Related post: Halloween Chapter Books for Kids in Grades 1-2
A Small Zombie Problem by K.G. Campbell
Most kids dream of having a dog or cat follow them home. But when a zombie follows August DuPont home one day, he is pulled into an adventure of spooky proportions. If your kid likes books that are creepy but not scary, this is a fun middle grade read.
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The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane by Julia Nobel
A boarding school, a secret society, a missing father, and a box full of mysterious medallions await readers in this dark mystery novel. Join Emmy as she dives into old secrets and investigates the mystery behind her father’s disappearance. Kids that loved the movie National Treasure will enjoy following the clues and solving the puzzle in this book.
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The Monster Catchers by George Brewington
For a fee, Bailey Buckleby and his dad will catch and remove any pesky monsters infesting your home. When Bailey uncovers a secret of monstrous proportions, he starts to investigate the motives behind his family business. With criminal masterminds, monsters, and plenty of laughs along the way, kids that like a healthy dose of humor with their chills will love reading this book.
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The Ghost in Apartment 2R by Denis Markell
When Danny’s older brother moved away for college, he left a ghost behind in his bedroom. Now Danny and his friends need to figure out how to placate the angry spirit and help it move on. More fun than scary, this kid-friendly ghost story is just right for readers that prefer fright-free books.
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A Festival of Ghosts (A Properly Unhaunted Place #2) by William Alexander, illustrated by Kelly Murphy
Ghosts have overrun the town of Ingot, and things are out of control. With something stealing kids’ voices and ghosts waging war against each other, Rosa Diaz knows she must somehow get her town back to normal. This spooky mystery novel will keep kids glued to the page.
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Scary Stories for Young Foxes by Christian McKay Heidicker
Inspired by classic horror stories, this book is about two young foxes who get separated from their litters. Together, they encounter monsters, zombies, and witches. Beautifully written and illustrated, this collection of interwoven stories is about friendship, adventure, and suspense.
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A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting #3: Mission to Monster Island by Joe Ballarini
If your kids are ready to move on from Goosebumps, hand them this spooky middle grade series. Kelly leads a double life as a regular middle school babysitter and a fearless monster-hunter. In the third book, she discovers that kids are being turned into hairy monsters on a terrifying island full of nightmares. Kelly must save the children, defeat the monsters, and make it back in time for her school dance.
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The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner
As a graphic novel, this book was an instant hit with my daughters. Both of them read it several times before I could wrangle it out of their hands. When Moth discovers that she is part witch, her entire life changes. She develops new powers, meets a talking cat, and finds a bizarre portal to a magical realm. For a witchy book that isn’t too spooky, this is a good choice!
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Tunnel of Bones (City of Ghosts #2) by Victoria Schwab
The second book in the spine-tingling City of Ghosts series takes readers to Paris. While her parents are busy filming their TV show, Cassidy Blake discovers the dark and dangerous Catacombs underneath the city. With ghosts, mystery, and a strong female character, this spooky novel will keep kids on the edge of their seats.
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Babysitting Nightmares: The Twilight Curse by Kat Shepherd
Maggie gets a job babysitting for an actor at the newly converted theater. She’s thrilled with her job and the opportunity to learn about acting. But when some spooky things start to happen at the theater, Maggie knows there’s a ghoul involved. This series is perfect for kids that like fun adventure stories with plenty of hair-raising suspense thrown in.
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The Curse of the Werepenguin by Allan Woodrow, illustrated by Scott Brown
If you like a heavy dose of humor with your scares, don’t miss this creepy middle grade novel! An evil Baron, mind-controlled penguins, tidy bandits, and bread-wielding villagers make this bizarre and goofy book a Halloween must-read!
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