Hauntingly Good Ghost Stories for 9- to 12-Year-Olds
by Iva-Marie Palmer
Is there anything more rewarding than a good, scary read? Books that invite you into a world where danger lurks and things go bump in the night are more thrilling than a roller coaster. These middle grade novels feature ghosts, creepy dolls, and strange worlds. They provide scares at every level, from mild (and even funny) to tense and gripping. Any book on this list of ghost stories would be an ideal choice to curl up with on a gloomy day or just before bed (nightlights recommended).
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It Happened to Anna
Buy from:If you have a middle grader who loves a bit of spookiness, this is the book for them. Sadie has difficulty making friends, but it isn’t her fault. A ghost follows her around and sabotages any friendships she forms. When her ghost kills her best friend, Anna, Sadie swears off friends until a new girl named Mal appears to be immune to the ghost. Anna is thrilled to have a friend until she realizes Mal could be even more dangerous than the ghost.
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Dark Waters
Buy from:In the third book of the Small Spaces series (beginning with Small Spaces and Dead Voices), we return to Mount Hemlock Resort, where the ghoulish smiling man left Ollie, Coco, and Brian with a sinister promise. Knowing the man has new games in store for them, the trio tries to be ready for anything. But an ill-fated boat ride leaves them stranded on an island and at the mercy of a terrifying monster. Readers agree that Arden’s tales are as creepy as her writing is beautiful. This is a can’t-miss book that may require kids to sleep with a light on after reading.
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Ghostlight
Buy from:Gabe doesn’t believe in ghosts — until he meets the legendary spirit that haunts the island lighthouse. But Rebecca’s appearance brings more trouble to the town than a few spine tingles. She warns Gabe and his friends about the vengeful spirit who killed her and wants to claim more souls. Kids who enjoy this delightfully scary novel will also want to check out Kenneth Oppel’s Bloom series.
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The Last Rhee Witch
Buy from:Ronnie Miller has always relied on her dad and her best friend Jack since her mom passed away when she was five. They might not feel very Korean, but that’s never bothered Ronnie. As long as she has her dad and Jack, she’s sure she can handle anything. But Camp Foster changes everything. New friends, new enemies, and even ghosts with unfinished business turn her world upside down. And the biggest shock of all? Discovering that everything she thought she knew might be wrong.
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Thirteens
Buy from:Eleanor doesn’t know the creepy history of her new town. But when she sees things no one else can spot, her new friends, Pip and Otto, warn her never to mention the strange sights to anyone. Their community suffers from a curse in which three kids go missing every 13 Halloweens — and the trio believes they’ll be next. This creepy read with kids at the helm is perfect for Stranger Things fans.
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The Ghostkeeper
Buy from:Readers who loved Lockwood & Co. and The Haunting of Hill House, will be hooked by this thrilling gothic graphic novel. Meet Dorian Leith, a young medium who talks to ghosts. With his ghostly grandmother and a friendly bookshop owner by his side, Dorian helps spirits move on. But when the key to Death’s Door is stolen, trapping ghosts in the living world, Dorian must find it before a ghostly rot consumes them. Can he bring peace to the restless dead, even if it means sacrificing himself?
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Field of Screams
Buy from:A haunted farmhouse, family secrets, and a ominous mystery sit at the heart of this hair-raising novel. As Rebecca digs into her late father’s past, she angers the ghost that may have caused his death. The more clues she pieces together, the angrier the spirit becomes, and Rebecca worries she could meet the same fate as her father.
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Sauerkraut
Buy from:Plenty of ghost stories focus on humor instead of frights, which is the case with this odd and funny book about a boy whose summer plans go awry when his great-great-grandmother’s ghost needs a favor. HD Schenk planned to build his own computer to enter the county fair, but his ancestor also has a title she wants to claim: this fair’s pickle queen. To win the blue ribbon, she needs HD to make her famous sauerkraut — but how can she succeed when HD is the only one who can see her? Kelly Jones’s silly ghost tale honors family history and the creativity that runs through generations.
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Embassy of the Dead Series
Buy from:A case of mistaken identity lands 12-year-old Jake Green in possession of a mysterious and dangerous box containing a frighteningly severed finger, marking him as a target of the Embassy of the Dead and their reaper. Jake's only chance at escaping the Eternal Void is to help a troubled ghost pass on and become an Undoer. Kids who enjoy reading spine-tingling novels with a hefty dose of humor will love this series!
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The Carrefour Curse
Buy from:Middle grade readers who can’t get enough of gothic horror stories should pick up this book. It’s about a girl named Garnet who moves in with her estranged relatives in a dilapidated old mansion. The creepy atmosphere and shocking plot twists will keep young readers on the edge of their seats!
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Midnight at the Barclay Hotel
Buy from:This middle grade novel combines an all-expenses-paid trip to a luxury hotel, ghost hunting, and a murder mystery. When JJ Jacobson’s mother becomes the prime suspect in the hotel owner’s death, he and his friends must clear her name and find the true killer (all while dodging ghosts). This action-packed ghost story is excellent for kids who aren’t ready for more terrifying reads.
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The Hiddenseek
Buy from:A game of hide-and-seek goes from fun to terrifying when brother and sister Hector and Holly Thorn get trapped in a secret world called the Hiddenseek. To make matters worse, a shape-shifting witch stalks the siblings and the other children caught in the mysterious land. The kids must break the curse that’s keeping them in the Hiddenseek by playing a game that’s anything but harmless. This fast-paced novel will keep Goosebumps fans racing through the pages.
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The Ghost in Apartment 2R
Buy from:Some kids look forward to inheriting their older sibling’s room when they depart for college – unless it’s haunted. Danny teams up with his friends Nat and Gus to learn about spirits, lore, and legends in their diverse Brooklyn neighborhood. But until they can figure out what the ghost wants, Danny won’t be able to help it move on. Markell’s book has laughs, facts, and only mild scares, so it’s the perfect pick for a kid who’s not ready for anything too creepy.
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The Circus of Stolen Dreams
Buy from:Desperate to forget her problems after her brother’s disappearance, Andrea doesn’t hesitate to dive into a magical world that promises an escape from reality. At first, her new surroundings are nothing but enchanting. But before long, she realizes that the dream world is a trap – one that claimed her brother. With her new friend Penny, Andrea must free Francis from the Sandman and his nightmarish world. This inventive and spellbinding tale will hold kids in its thrall.
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The Sleepover
Buy from:Michael Regina’s scary and comical graphic novel is the kind of book that middle graders will fly through – and then want to read again. When Matthew Russo’s beloved nanny passes away, his three best friends plan a sleepover to take his mind off his grief. Miss Swan, the new nanny, seems great – but Matt can’t tell if she’s a fun babysitter or a witch trying to fatten him up. Pick this one up for kids who like suspense delivered with a heavy dose of comedy.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2021 and updated in 2024.