Starter Scares: Spooky picks for young readers.

Spooky, but not too scary picks for younger readers. 

A recommend reading list by Kate O’Brien. 

There is a certain amount of fun that comes with being scared. With each year that passes I enjoy horror a little bit more, but I’ll be honest, I’ve always been the type to get scared easily. 

Despite being somewhat of a self-proclaimed scaredy-cat, I’ve always been fascinated by spooky stories. They draw in readers in such a way that even though there are some scares between the pages, the tales are too good to miss. 

For younger readers who want to enjoy spooky season but don’t want anything too scary just yet, starter scares are a brilliant option. What is a starter scare? Let me tell you. 

Not every single “scary” book is spine chillingly spooky, some have the perfect balance of humour and mystery mixed in so that younger readers who want a little scare can enjoy the spookier elements without the story being too dark or too much. 

There are some films that I would describe as starter scares too, so perhaps I’ll publish a “Not Too Spooky Movies,’ list next week … Stay tuned! 

For now, here’s some selected reads that younger readers may enjoy as we get closer to Halloween. 

The Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine. 

An obvious choice perhaps, but The Goosebumps series has been applauded as the series that paved the way for horror stories for children. These books are relatable for young readers in many ways because the protagonists are always tweens or teens. Despite the stories featuring scarier elements such as the supernatural, each story follows a similar structure, meaning that young readers will experience scary situations through fiction, but they will do so in a familiar, controlled way. 

Notably, the books never feature death or violence so even though the characters face spooky situations, they never have to deal with anything too serious. The stakes are age appropriate, and the books are funny too. Ideal for readers aged 8-12.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.

This book is a childhood favourite. I remember reading an extract of this book, the first chapter I believe, in primary school when I was ten. Gaiman’s work is a spookier step upwards when you compare it to Stine’s series. For example, in this book a toddler manages to escape the killer who is after him after killing his entire family with a knife. The scenes described in the house are dark and bleak, and they may scare a reader who is more squeamish and sensitive. The boy reaches the graveyard. There he escapes the killer and he is taken in by the ghosts who reside there. This book is more touching than scary even though it does contain some gruesome moments. I’d even go as far as saying it is a coming of age story that is simply set in a graveyard with ghosts, however due to its darker elements and themes, and despite being fascinated with the story when I was ten, I would err on the side of caution and recommend it for readers aged 12+ 

It is an ideal book for readers who have gotten a taste for scarier stories already and want something a bit more intense as Gaiman’s work steps it up a notch. 

Monster Island by Freddie Alexander. 

This book is another one for readers aged 8-10. I’ve reviewed it already on katelovesliterature.com

You can read my full review here 

I felt that it deserved another mention because it is an ideal book for spooky season. Freddie Alexander’s book explores what would happen if the monsters under the bed turned out to be real after all. Sam has to contend with moving house, adjusting to life in a new place AND with the scary discovery that monsters are real after all. Can she escape? Read and find out. 

Helen O’Higgins has brought the tale to life with vivid, Tim Burton-like illustrations. This book is the ideal mix of scary but fun with some fantastic illustrations that readers are sure to love. 

Escape Room by Christopher Edge. 

Edge’s novel is definitely another step upwards as it is fast-paced and intense. Edge is a writer who knows how to really fill a plot with lots of information and twists and turns. This is a great book for readers who also love to play games as Edge has a knack for writing puzzles. Twelve – year old Ami finds herself in the ultimate escape room. She and her teammates must find the answer and escape before it is too late. Fast paced, high stakes, and completed with a huge twist, this book is a thrilling read. I’d recommend it to readers aged 12-15. I found this story to be a really creative take on the very popular escape room trend. I love the premise, what if it wasn’t just a game? Read and find out what happens for yourself. 

I hope you’ll enjoy this short list of starter scares. I hope you’ll feel inspired to pick up a book. 

Let me know if you have a favourite spooky book that you remember reading. What is the first scary book you read? Do you remember? I’d love to know. 

Stay tuned as there will be more #spookyseason themed discussions coming up. 

Follow me on Instagram @katelovesliterature if you don’t already for all updates about what is coming up next.