6 Truly Creepy Middle Grade Books to Spook Out Your Summer

The Haunting of Falcon House, by Eugene Yelchin
Set in fascinating late 19th century Saint Petersburg, this twisty ghost story follows twelve-year-old Prince Lev, who goes to live with his Aunt at Falcon House, ready to be a great Russian hero just like his ancestors. When he meets the mischievous Vanyousha, Lev discovers that the house is hiding a strange and dark history, and it’s up to him to unearth it. Chapters are interspersed with ink sketches that bring this perfectly peculiar and enchanting story to life.

Coraline, by Neil Gaiman
Wondering what’s behind closed doors has otherworldly consequences in this chilling novel by Neil Gaiman. When Coraline unlocks a door in the drawing room, it leads her to a home identical to her own, except with black-button-eyed parents, who at first seem loving and interesting, but soon turn unabashedly horrible. Coraline could be theirs forever, but does she want that? Gaiman’s tale is delightfully dark, creepy, and fun.

Watch the Sky, by Kirsten Hubbard
Jory’s stepfather has always taught him to trust no one and be aware of signs because the end is coming and his family has to be prepared. As the prophecy becomes more imminent, Jory is given the exhausting task of digging an endless hole in the middle of the night. But when Jory goes to school and meets other friends, he starts to see a brighter side to the world than his family has allowed him to imagine. Soon, he begins to question his stepfather’s plans. Jory’s mysterious and often sinister story is beautifully told.

Skary Childrin and the Carousel of Sorrow, by Katy Towell
If the cover alone doesn’t creep you out, then you’ll certainly be chilled by Towell’s wonderfully eerie tale about three girls whose classmates have labeled them the “scary children” because of their personal quirks. When people in their town of Widowsbury start disappearing, the girls are determined to get to the bottom of it and save Widowsbury from a terrible curse.

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story, by Mary Downing Hahn
When siblings Molly and Michael move to the country with their annoying stepsister, Heather, they think things can’t any worse. That is, until Heather starts talking to a ghost named Helen and claims Helen is going to come for Molly and Michael. And then, as the title suggests, Helen comes. This eerie novel by mystery and suspense writer Mary Downing Hahn is genuinely scary, so kids looking for that perfect, bone-chilling ghost story should definitely pick this one up.

Serafina and the Black Cloak, by Robert Beatty
Serafina’s very existence is a secret. As the daughter of the Biltmore Estate’s maintenance man, she is told never to be seen and lives quietly in the basement of the grand home. That is, until kids start disappearing, and Serafina knows the culprit: a terrifying, black-cloaked man wandering the grounds. This haunting story comes with a twist of magic, which is perfect for young readers looking for a dash of fantasy in their spooky reads.
Happy Summer Reading, everyone!