Abandoned orphanages, mysterious creatures, bumps in the night - horror books find creative ways to get under our skin and keep us reading and shivering long into the night.
Why are so many kids drawn to dark and scary books?
In many ways, books provide a safe and controlled portal into the unknown; a way to explore terror and discomfort through the eyes of a character other than yourself-- all while knowing that you can always put the book down and return to your reality if needed. For children experiencing difficult situations, horror can be appealing because it does not try to gloss over the darker parts of the world and gives examples of how characters deal with terrifying situations.
Plus, chills and thrills can just be plain fun!
Check out the following lists for recommendations sure to scare the socks off your middle grade reader:
Shivers and goosebumps are guaranteed when you pick up these horror books recommended for readers grades 5 and up.
Get creepy with these atmospheric, scary, and haunting tales sure to make you want to leave a light on.
Looking for more recommendations? Ask your librarian at the reference desk, or fill out a Book Match form today!
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