Skip to main content

Great Ghost Stories

Image
By
We are almost to Halloween! Since the spookiest day of the year is less than two weeks away, maybe you're feeling like you don't have time to commit to reading a whole book -- and I get it. Or, maybe you're wanting to tell a scary ghost story every night from now until Halloween -- an amazing idea. Or, maybe you want to read a really scary story, but want it to be over sooner rather than later.

If you fall into any of these categories, have I got a list for you. Here are some of the best collections of ghost stories to scare your pants off.

By Anica Mrose Rissi
Illustrated by Carolina T. Godina
New York: Quill Tree Books, 2021. Horror.

This collection of 20 short stories has nods to all the classic scary story tropes in a way that transforms even the happiest childhood experiences into moments of terror. The illustrations are perfectly atmospheric and a mix of scare levels ensures readability for all types of crowds. Perfect for telling and re-telling, this collection of short stories is absolute nightmare fuel.

By Illustratus
San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 2019. Horror.

If you're looking for some really scary stories, this is a good place to start. This collection of 13 original tales, the "only true ghost stories," will certainly prompt readers to sleep with the lights on. Haunting images enrich the scary stories and bring the nightmares to life.




By Pat McKissack
Illustrated by Brian Pinkney
New York: Knopf, 1992. Horror.

An oldie but a goodie, this Coretta Scott King Award winning book tells ten original ghost stories inspired by African American history and written to be told in the half hour right before nightfall -- the dark thirty. Rooted in the African American oral storytelling tradition, these scary stories are perfect to read aloud and Brian Pinkney's eerie illustrations help to set the mood.


By Alvin Schwartz
Illustrated by Stephen Gammell
New York: Lippincott, 1981. Horror.

We would be remiss not to mention the book that inspired a million nightmares. This anthology of ghost stories from American folklore is a classic for a reason -- the stories and creepy illustrations are certain to frighten even the bravest readers. Read aloud or, if you're brave, by yourself. 



Edited by Jonathan Maberry
Illustrated by Iris Compiet
New York: HarperCollins, 2020. Horror.

Presented by the Horror Writer's Association and curated by master of horror Jonathan Maberry this anthology is a tribute to Alvin Schwartz's legendary horror series. Scary stories from favorite authors like R.L. Stine, Kami Garcia, Courtney Alameda, and Jonathan Auxier are highlighted by ghastly illustrations. The title says it all -- read these stories, and then buy a nightlight.






Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Faker

By
Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit...
Post a Comment
Read more

You Need to Read: Percy Jackson

By
I was a kid myself when  The Lightning Thief  by Rick Riordan was published, and it didn't take long for the Percy Jackson series to take the world by storm. Being the son of a Poseidon, Percy Jackson has some unique challenges as a half-blood. Here's some books that I think could've helped Percy when he was on his adventures trying to save the world: Greeking Out: Heroes and Olympians Written by Kenny Curtis and Jillian Hughes Illustrated by Javier Espila Washington D.C.: National Geographic, 2024. Informational. 191 pages. Percy, I know Chiron did a good job teaching you about mythology in Latin class, but this book is sure to be good to have on hand while you're traveling across the United States. Greeking Out  is written in a kid-friendly voice with vivid illustrations and a sometimes-snarky tone (much like Percy himself). It also presents real-life creatures and places along with the information about Greek mythology. The Homework Squad's ADHD Guide to School S...
Post a Comment
Read more

If You Like...Ladybugs

By
Spring is almost upon us! We'll have more rain instead of snow, flowers will start blooming, and more bugs will be out. Ladybugs are some of the prettiest insects--and the least intimidating for those more wary of bugs. If you like ladybugs, check out these books! Ladybugs Do Not Go to Preschool Written by Ali Rutstein Illustrated by NinĢ‹a Nill Richmond, VA: Bright Light, 2024. Picture Book. Ravi loves ladybugs--he eats aphids instead of cornflakes for breakfast, brushes his mandibles instead of teeth, and has a ladybug costume complete with wings and antennae. He is certain that ladybugs don't have to go to preschool, and when Mom says that Ravi still has to go to school, he is nervous. However, thanks to Mom's patience and gentle encouragement, Ravi makes some new friends and realizes that preschool might be a good place for ladybugs after all. A Perfect Spot By Isabelle Simler Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book. A ladybug is ready to ...
Post a Comment
Read more