"Scary" book recommendation

[Remus West]

The horror book request made me think of this but I need a different level of scary. My 11 year old niece asked for a scary book for her birthday. I have no idea what type of book would be both scary and age appropriate. My sister said she does not like Goosebumps which were my only idea. Anyone have a suggestion?

[Paingod]

What kind of writing does she actually like - what kind of person is she?

I mean - technically, Lovecraft doesn't really contain themes that are objectionable so it might be okay for her; but it's old school stuff and you've got to have some amount of patience and interest in it. Depending on the child, 11 might be an okay age, or it might go right over her head.

Maybe a little google searching (not being a dink - it's the best I can offer as I don't have any kids this age)? These might jar someone else's 'suggestion' library loose.

"Youth horror"
http://www.connectedyouth.org/books/ind ... ist=horror" target="_blank

"Horror for kids"
http://www.roberthood.net/scribbls/children.htm" target="_blank
- Includes the original classics like Frankenstien, Dracula, Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde, Lord of the Flies

"Scary books for kids"
http://www.monsterlibrarian.com/horrorfictionlistkd.htm" target="_blank

[silverjon]

This edition of Poe illustrated by Gris Grimly
http://www.amazon.com/Edgar-Allan-Tales ... 0689848374" target="_blank

[YellowKing]

At her age I loved the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series.

They have some really fantastic (and really scary) illustrations, and the stories have enough edge to seem scary to kids without being inappropriate.

[silverjon]

YK's suggestion was my other thought as well. The pictures still freak me out, but the stories aren't too bad.

[Anonymous Bosch]

You cannot go wrong with The Scary Stories Treasury by Alvin Schwartz, which contains three volumes of some of the very best urban legend/folklore-style scary short stories ever written. The original edition, that was illustrated by Stephen Gammell, is well worth tracking down (there was a rereleased edition with a different illustrator that was nowhere near as good as Gammell's artwork).

EDIT: YK beat me to the punch. The treasury is basically a collection of all of Schwartz's books.

[Zekester]

Dude, quit asking here and go find out for yourself!

[Lordnine]

I’ll recommend Coraline by Neil Gaiman. The atmosphere is superbly creepy even for older audiences.

[triggercut]

Coraline or Gaiman's Graveyard Book are great choices.

Also this:



Absolutely brilliant prose from Connolly.

[Smoove_B]

You cannot go wrong with The Scary Stories Treasury by Alvin Schwartz, which contains three volumes of some of the very best urban legend/folklore-style scary short stories ever written. The original edition, that was illustrated by Stephen Gammell, is well worth tracking down (there was a rereleased edition with a different illustrator that was nowhere near as good as Gammell's artwork).

EDIT: YK beat me to the punch. The treasury is basically a collection of all of Schwartz's books.

Just thought you all should know that the publisher has stopped printing the version with Gammell's artwork -- as reported here. Wish I still had my copy - I remember this book quite clearly from my childhood.

[silverjon]

That's just sad. I never owned one of the books as a child, but I sure remember reading them.

I did pick up a copy of... I think More Scary Stories to Tell In the Dark at a garage sale some years back. Not because I wanted to read it again, but for the art.

[Jag]

[Smoove_B]

At her age I loved the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series.

Now, a movie:



Each ticket comes with 10 free hours of therapy.

[Smoove_B]

[Scuzz]

I’ll recommend Coraline by Neil Gaiman. The atmosphere is superbly creepy even for older audiences.

Pretty sure at least one of my daughters read that. It is also a movie I think.

My older daughter remembers being traumatized by the Childrens Classic versions of Edgar Allen Poe stories.

[Pyperkub]

I’ll recommend Coraline by Neil Gaiman. The atmosphere is superbly creepy even for older audiences.

Pretty sure at least one of my daughters read that. It is also a movie I think.

My older daughter remembers being traumatized by the Childrens Classic versions of Edgar Allen Poe stories.

Coraline Movie and Book are both great.

One I loved as a child was The House with a Clock in its Walls. Heard the movie was so-so, so I'm waiting for one of my streaming services to show it.

[bigimg]https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91EzVF70ZzL.jpg[/bigimg]

Clive Barker wrote a pretty decent kids book called The Thief of Always, but it may be a bit dark for her at 11.

[bigimg]https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/516ocdfbmSL.jpg[/bigimg]

[ImLawBoy]

Clive Barker wrote a pretty decent kids book called The Thief of Always, but it may be a bit dark for her at 11.

Considering she'd be 19 by now, I'm guessing she'd be OK with it.

[dbt1949]

At that age I was enjoying a Twilight Zone series of books.
Not sure if they're available now a days.