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.
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