scary story books for 8/9yr olds?

Question

My daughter would like a scary story book, preferably one with several good stories in it, although a book about one story will be checked out too.

Thanks for your time reading my question.

Not my choice, my daughter wants it.

anyway, lets face it, it's not going to contain bloodshed etc for that age is it!

Answer 1

The 'Goosebumps' series by RL Stein...oldies but goodies, my daughters both LOVED them...just scary enough for that age...always a good ending (the good guy comes out on top, and is usually, almost always infact, an age the kids can relate to...) no one dies, no blood shed ...they look like they've been SLIMED (the covers)...check out amazon.com...they would have a few at least...and books a million or Barnes and Nobel...there must be 100 or more books...short stories to you and me but PERFECT for that age group...
PS
Never once did one of those books cause nightmares or difficulties...they are GEARED to that age... my kids are 16 and 19 now...still my 19 yr old keeps her collection for when her own daughter becomes interested in the macabre...and they still sell them...also there used to be a Saturday special during kid watching hours ...the stories made into 1 hour shows...good luck!

Answer 2

hi, im a 13 year old book- crazed girl. if your daughter is 8, then she would deffinitely love the goosebumps series. they are by r.l stein. (he's the 2nd most popular author in germany.)there are a few with collections of 10 scary short stories. his books have the element of "must not put down book". they arent so scary that your child wont be able to ge to sleep that night, but they do send a shiver down your spine! the books are all about different people and different situations varying from puppets coming alive to the abominable snowman living in a fridge. they all have very unexpected "twists" at the end. i still love reading them when im all alone and the wind is howling outside!

they have those books on amazon. (i checked) they often have them in libraries. they are available in many languages. they are deffinitely books that you daughter will love. but be warned; they are so good you'll have to read them to her before bedtime for ever!

Answer 3

Actually, the Wizard of Oz series might be fun for this age. There are lots of them...

And this may not be too young to start A Wrinkle in Time and its sequels. by Madeleine L'Engle.

Some of the Alfred Hitchcock for Young readers are good. There are severel anthologies.

My real advice: Go to your public library. The librarians will know some books to recommend. And let you child poke arooound the stacks. When I was kid, that's how I found the best stuff.

Best wishes

Answer 4

Several people have already mentioned, but the Goosebumps series is an excellent choice.

I've always thought Roald Dahl's stories were delightful without being too scary. Try 'The Witches' and 'Matilda.'

Neil Gaiman's 'Coraline' gave me the willies and I read it when I was 21.

Also, perhaps you can find a Grimm's Fairy Tales compilation for younger readers.

Answer 5

I'd second the recommendation of Edgar Allen Poe. I loved his poems when I was about nine. Gris Grimly also put out a beautifully illustrated edition of several of Poe's short stories which may be available at you library.

John Bellairs is a favorite of mine. "The House With the Clock in Its Walls" is really a great read, and has illustrations by Edward Gorey.

Joan Aiken has written some really good children's horror books. I read "The Cockatrice Boys" out loud with my family, and we had a really good time with that one. It was also illustrated by Gris Grimly. "Nightbirds on Nantucket" and "The Wolves of Willoughby Chase" are also quite good.

The Harry Potter series is also a good bet and they definitely have their creepy moments. When you guys reach the third book, I suggest you read them together.

Actually, some of Edward Gorey's stuff might be fun. He did some genius illustrations for T.S. Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," as well as some morbidly amusing books such as "The Insect God" and "The Gashlycrumb Tinies."

Have fun!

Answer 6

the scariest books i read as a kid were "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark", "More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" and a 3rd one with a similar title. They are a very easy reading level, but when i think back on it some of the stories are pretty terrifying. Good stuff!

Answer 7

Try some of the Brothers Grimm classics. Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood are fairly scary for younger readers, as the heroes are children and they can relate to them.

Answer 8

try joining the local library ( if you are not already a member)
this will give you and her a chance to test out scary books and if she will really enjoy them (or she just thinks she will)

it will also give you a chance to find out which author/s she like best so you dont waste money buying books that dont get read

as an added bonus it will also teach responsibility in looking after property that does not belong to her and teach her about the wide variety of books on offer

Answer 9

My daughter is almost 8 and she loves Harry Potter.
I know, it's not terribly scary but, I don't think it's wise for a child that age to get de-sensitized to horror.

Answer 10

by Terry Pratchett

*Feet of Clay
*Maskerade
*Johnny & The Dead
*Good Omens
*Bromeliad Trilogy
*Wintersmith
*Soul Music