As a children’s librarian, I often field questions from patrons about how scary a book is, whether it is too intense for their child, just when it is appropriate to take that step up and read the 4th Harry Potter book (the one where people start dying)—and so on. As someone who cannot handle jump scares or haunted houses and who had to ease away from K.A. Applegate’s sci-fi series Animorphs series as a child because of too many nightmares about brain slugs, I tend to err on the side of caution, to warn for frightening or tense content and to give the disclaimer that of course the caregiver knows their child best. In our current situation of stay-at-home orders, threat of contagion, delayed plans and upset schedules, and separation from loved ones, my first instinct was to veer even further from the topic of horror.
But then I ran across this comic essay by one of my favorite artists, Melanie Gillman, creator of YA graphic novels Stage Dreams and As The Crow Flies: https://pigeonbits.tumblr.com/post/611713193729015808/i-drew-a-quick-little-comics-essay-today-about-a
In essence, Gillman’s point is that horror is often used by both adults and children as a tool to process real world fears and anxieties, and that even young readers are sophisticated enough to understand metaphor and allegory. (For example—zombie stories as plague/contagion stories). They also make the excellent observation that a great deal of kid-horror is also comedy, and that one of the best ways to disarm the thing that frightens you is make it absurd. (Think Professor Lupin, the boggart, and the riddikulus charm, if you’re a Harry Potter fan!)
This reminded me also of the G.K. Chesterton quote—paraphrased often by Neil Gaiman—that fairy tales are important not because they tell us that dragons can exist, but that they can be beaten.
I also have to acknowledge my own fondness for kid-horror (the comedy is very good! And an author that can create horror without excess gore or adult content is, in my opinion, inherently talented!)—and the joy and community that is telling scary stories in a darkened room by flashlight, or outdoors by campfire. (Build a blanket fort and try it some evening! If it gets too spooky you can always take a hot chocolate break.)
So, on that note, while I would never force horror on an unwilling audience, if your child reaches for a scary story, I say let them chase that impulse! Worried about content and don't have a librarian handy? Commonsense Media is a great tool for previewing the content of books and media for violence, sexual content, language, and advertising, while Novelist can give you ballpark min/max reading levels. And if you need suggestions, here are a few of my recent favorites to get you started.
Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty
Serafina lives in the walls of the Biltmore estate, protecting the inhabitants from rats—and, when called upon, from other evils. (Recommended for kids in 4th grade and up.)
The Last Kids on Earth by Max Braillier
Diary of A Wimpy Kid meets the zombie apocalypse, with a diverse cast, fun illustrations, and a great sense of humor. Only on Overdrive/Libby, but feel free to jump around in the series to get a shorter holds list! (Recommended for kids in 2nd grade and up)
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
An intrepid young girl ventures into a mysterious mirror world—with a malicious mirror family intent on keeping her, forever. (Recommended for kids in 5th grade and up)
Scary Stories For Young Foxes by Christian McKay Heidicker https://librarycatalog.einetwork.net/Record/.b38947547
The framework of an autumn ghost story lends an urgent, can’t-put-it-down quality to this harrowing tale of two fox kits making their way through a dangerous world. Put it on hold through Overdrive or Libby—it is worth the wait! (Recommended for kids in 3rd grade and up)
The Nest by Kenneth Oppel
When Steve is visited in his dreams by an angel promising to “fix” his sick little brother, it seems too good to be true—and as time goes on, Steve finds more and more that the “angel” is not what it seems. (Recommended for kids in 4th grade and up)
The House In Poplar Wood by K.E. Ormsbee
Due to a mysterious Agreement, Lee Vickery and his mother serve Memory, and his father and twin Felix serve Death. But one Halloween, a new friend and a murder give the twins the chance to change everything. (Recommended for kids in 4th grade and up.)
In A Dark Dark Room by Alvin Schwartz
All the spookiness of Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark, with fun neon green and purple illustrations and text geared towards younger readers who feel up for a scare! (Recommended for kids in 1st grade and up)
Scary Stories Audio Collection by Alvin Schwartz
All three volumes of the classic anthology of short, shivery ghost stories in audiobook form. My personal favorite resource for Fright Night storytelling. Get your blanket forts and flashlights ready! (Recommended for kids in 3rd grade and up)
Need more recommendations? Want to let us know what you thought? Contact us at childrenslibrary@einetwork.net!
Best wishes & happy reading!
Miss Rachel
