Some scary stories are more than just tall tales. This spine-tingling collection of TRUE terrors and haunting legends is perfect for Halloween—and thrills and chills all year long.

This book is not for the faint of heart…but for those brave enough, a bone-chilling, globe-trotting adventure awaits.

Filled with gripping photography and mind-boggling facts that reveal the history and science behind the curiosities of our world, PLUS a foreword written by bestselling author and king of creep R.L. Stine, this book is ideal for storytelling by flashlight around a campfire, throwing into a backpack to share at a sleepover, or—if you dare—reading alone under your covers. (But reader beware: Don’t forget to check under the bed before turning the page…)

In these pages, you’ll:

• Roam the crumbling, skull-filled catacombs of Paris
• Come face to face with an island full of real dragons
• Hear haunting stories from history—from the “vampire epidemic” in New England to an epic (and gruesome) ship mutiny off the coast of Australia
• Puzzle over unsolved mysteries, from UFO sightings to whole cities that have simply … vanished
• Shiver at modern retellings of classic scary stories and urban legends—and learn the truth behind the terror.

Want more spooky stories? Check out National Geographic Kids’ other collections: Don’t Read This Book Before Bed and That’s Creepy!