Much like kids love the thrill they feel on a rollar coaster, young readers seek out books that appeal to their sense of terror and excitement.  Here is a selection of quality scary, spine-chlling, unnerving books for middle grade readers.

The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein

Agatha Award Winner.

Eleven year old Jack can't shake the ghosts. He leaves the ghost of his mother in New York City when he moves to Connecticut (or does he?) only to find another menace in his new town.

 

 

 

 

The Dark-thirty by Patricia C. McKissack

Coretta Scott King and Newbery Award Winner.

A collection of ghost stories centered around the  African American experience. Ghosts find vengence for lynchings and slaves use magic to get their freedom.

 

 

 

 

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

John Newbery  and Carnegie Medal Winner.

A child escapes a killer who murders his entire family by leaping from his crib and crawling across the street to a graveyard. The inhabitants take him in and raise them as their own.

 

 

 

 

The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud

Included in NYPL | Children's Books  2013

Three operatives of the Psychic Detection Agency battle ghosts in London.

 

 

 

 

 

The Cavendish Home For Boys and Girls by Claire Legrand

Included in NYPL's | Children's Books 2012.

12-year-old Victoria investigates a sinister orphanage run by the reclusive Mrs. Cavendish.

 

 

 

 

For more recommendations, see our monthly staff picks at nypl.org/staffpicks.

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to​ be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ​picks! Tell us what you'd recommend: Leave a comment or email us.