10+ Best Creepy Books for 10-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect spine-tingling read that will have your 10-year-old peeking through their fingers? You’ve landed in the right spot! Our roundup of creepy books for 10-year-olds is packed with stories that strike just the right balance of chills and thrills, ensuring they're age-appropriate yet captivating. Keep reading to discover our top picks that promise to keep your young reader hooked, and maybe even a little spooked!

Fun Creepy Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Coraline by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror
  • Synopsis: This tale follows a young girl named Coraline who discovers an alternate universe. While initially it seems better than her own world, she soon realizes it holds dark secrets.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a thrilling adventure that teaches about bravery and self-reliance. Coraline's courage in the face of fear is inspirational and engaging for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Fans of spooky stories and young adventurers.

• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
  • Synopsis: The story of Nobody Owens, a boy who is raised by ghosts in a graveyard after his family is mysteriously killed. As he grows up, he encounters various adventures and dangers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully combines elements of horror with a coming-of-age story. It's a great introduction to mystery and suspense for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy ghost stories and mysteries.

• The Witches by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror
  • Synopsis: A boy stumbles upon a secret meeting of witches, who despise children and have a plan to eliminate them. With the help of his grandmother, he must stop their evil scheme.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful mix of scary and funny, perfect for engaging young readers and sparking a love for reading through imaginative storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love a good mix of humor and horror.

• Doll Bones by Holly Black
  • Genre(s): Horror, Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Three friends embark on a quest to bury a haunted doll made from the ground-up bones of a girl. Their journey tests their friendship and courage as they face real and supernatural challenges.
  • Why we recommend this book: It deals with complex themes like growing up and letting go of childhood, wrapped in a spooky adventure that keeps readers hooked.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy ghost stories and tales of friendship.

• Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
  • Genre(s): Horror, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: After Ollie saves a book from being destroyed, she finds herself trapped in a creepy adventure involving sinister scarecrows and a mysterious mist. She and her classmates must survive the night and solve the mystery.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gripping story that combines suspense and bravery, perfect for encouraging a love of reading through engaging, plot-driven narratives.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy chilling tales and outdoor adventures.

Educational Creepy Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
  • Genre(s): Horror, Mystery, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: This eerie tale follows two abandoned Irish siblings who start working at a creepy, crumbling English manor house that is plagued by a sinister presence: a ghostly figure who visits the manor each night to tend the garden.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading comprehension, vocabulary expansion, understanding of themes like greed and courage
  • Why we recommend this book: It masterfully blends suspense and supernatural elements, providing a spooky yet thought-provoking read.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy ghost stories and mysteries with a historical setting.

• The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste
  • Genre(s): Horror, Fantasy, Caribbean Folklore
  • Synopsis: Corinne La Mer must protect her home on a Caribbean island when jumbies, malevolent creatures of the island’s folklore, start encroaching on the village and threatening the residents.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, mythological literacy, problem-solving skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces readers to Caribbean folklore in an engaging and accessible way, wrapped in a suspenseful story.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in folklore and mythical creatures.

• Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh
  • Genre(s): Horror, Mystery, Supernatural
  • Synopsis: Harper Raine, a young girl who moves to a new house with her family, finds herself dealing with disturbing occurrences and must uncover whether her house is haunted.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, understanding of cultural diversity, emotional resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a thrilling mix of ghostly hauntings and Korean folklore that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love scary stories with a strong, relatable protagonist.

• Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn
  • Genre(s): Horror, Ghost Story
  • Synopsis: A blended family moves to a converted church in the country where the youngest sibling, Heather, starts communicating with a ghost named Helen who lived a tragic life.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, historical context
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a classic ghost story that explores complex family dynamics and the consequences of unresolved pasts.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers and ghost stories.

• The Thickety: A Path Begins by J.A. White
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Kara Westfall lives in a village beside a cursed forest known as the Thickety. The story unfolds as she discovers a powerful grimoire and learns about her own mysterious powers.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, empowerment, understanding of good vs. evil
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a compelling narrative with a dense, foreboding setting that challenges the protagonist's moral decisions.
  • Perfect for: Fans of dark fantasy and stories about witches and magic.

Challenging Creepy Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children by Keith McGowan, illustrated by Yoko Tanaka
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror
  • Synopsis: A modern retelling of the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale where two children, Sol and Connie, suspect their neighbor might be a witch with a sinister plan.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a complex plot with interwoven themes of survival and deception, requiring readers to think critically about the characters' intentions.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a fresh take on a classic story, encouraging readers to question and analyze the motives of each character.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fairy tales with a dark twist.

• The Shadows by Jacqueline West, illustrated by Poly Bernatene
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
  • Synopsis: In this first book of "The Books of Elsewhere" series, Olive moves into a creepy old house and discovers paintings that she can enter, uncovering mysteries and dark secrets.
  • Why this book is challenging: This novel uses a sophisticated narrative structure and introduces themes of art, fantasy, and reality that are more complex than typical middle-grade books.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a captivating blend of mystery and fantasy that encourages imagination and problem-solving.
  • Perfect for: Readers who love art and mysteries, and those who appreciate stories that blend reality with the fantastical.

• The Nest by Kenneth Oppel, illustrated by Jon Klassen
  • Genre(s): Horror, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Steve's baby brother is ill, and Steve wishes for him to get better, only to be visited by a mysterious wasp queen in his dreams who offers a cure, but at a terrifying cost.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative delves into complex themes of ethics, family, and fear, intertwined with a surreal, dream-like quality that challenges perceptions of reality.
  • Why we recommend this book: It explores deep and difficult questions about what it means to be perfect and the ethics of making difficult choices, wrapped in a chilling, atmospheric story.
  • Perfect for: Readers who are not afraid of exploring darker themes and enjoy psychological thrillers.

• Lockwood & Co.: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
  • Synopsis: In an alternate London overrun by ghosts, Lucy joins the Lockwood & Co. agency, and together they must solve a deadly mystery that could change the course of history.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a complex plot with multiple layers of mystery and an intricate ghost lore that requires attentive reading and critical thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book offers thrilling ghostly encounters and a dynamic team of young protagonists, perfect for readers who enjoy action-packed adventures.
  • Perfect for: Fans of supernatural stories and detective fiction.

• The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror
  • Synopsis: A story about a girl named Luna who is accidentally enmagicked as a baby and must learn to control her powers while uncovering the truth about her past.
  • Why this book is challenging: It incorporates complex themes such as sacrifice, power, and coming of age within a beautifully crafted narrative structure.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a poignant tale that combines elements of magic, adventure, and emotional depth, offering a rich reading experience.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate beautifully written, thought-provoking fantasy.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you’re diving into the world of creepy books, it’s a great chance to also build some solid reading habits. Whether you’re reading about haunted houses or mysterious creatures, these exercises will not only enhance your experience but also help you grow as a reader. Here’s a list of fun and effective reading exercises tailored for 10-year-olds:

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide how many pages or chapters you want to read each day.
  • How it helps: Keeps you motivated and makes reading a regular part of your day.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase them.

• Read Aloud to Someone
  • What it is: Read your book out loud to a parent, sibling, or even a pet.
  • How it helps: Improves your pronunciation and helps you engage more deeply with the story.
  • Tips: Try using different voices for different characters to make it fun.

• Create a Book Club
  • What it is: Gather a few friends who are also reading creepy books and discuss what you’ve read.
  • How it helps: Allows you to share thoughts and gain new insights from others.
  • Tips: Meet once a week and choose a different book or chapter to discuss each time.

• Draw the Scenes
  • What it is: Sketch your favorite scenes or characters from the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances your comprehension and helps you remember details of the story.
  • Tips: Don’t worry about perfect art; just express what you imagine.

• Question and Answer Diary
  • What it is: Write down questions you have while reading and look for answers as you continue.
  • How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and active reading.
  • Tips: Review your questions and answers after finishing the book to see how much you've learned.

• Summarize Each Chapter
  • What it is: After reading a chapter, write a short summary of what happened.
  • How it helps: Helps with retention and understanding of the plot.
  • Tips: Keep your summaries brief and to the point.

• Predict the Plot
  • What it is: Before starting a new chapter, guess what might happen next.
  • How it helps: Engages your imagination and anticipation skills.
  • Tips: Write down your predictions and check how many were right as you read.

Wrapping up, these exercises aren’t just about making reading more fun; they’re about making it a part of your life. So, grab your spooky book, pick a couple of these exercises, and get ready to enhance your reading skills. Happy reading, and don’t let the bed bugs bite!