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Ghost: Thirteen Haunting Tales to Tell (Scary Children's Books for Kids Age 9 to 12, Ghost Stories for Middle Schoolers)

✍️ Illustratus
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$20.99 $24.99 Save $4.00 (16%)
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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This compelling collection, `Ghost: Thirteen Haunting Tales to Tell`, presents a series of spectral encounters specifically curated for young readers. The author provocatively asserts that these are the singular, genuine ghost stories in existence, challenging readers to consider their veracity. Within these pages, you'll uncover thirteen eerie narratives, perfect for sharing around a campfire or huddled beneath the covers. From a mysterious touch on the inside of a mirror to woods where the trees seem to observe your every move, and even a bricked-up basement door muffling unseen screams, each original tale promises to captivate and chill, ensuring a memorable, spooky experience.

Praise for this book

“[Ghost] is a delightfully horrific and atmospheric collection to share aloud or under the blankets with a long-lasting flashlight. perfect for children who want a good scare!”
— School Library Journal
🏛 Chronicle Books 📅 2019 📖 160 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781452171289
Fun Fact
Illustratus delivers a chillingly effective collection for the younger supernatural enthusiast. The book excels in its originality and the strength of its atmospheric illustrations, elevating simple scares into memorable encounters. While seasoned horror readers might find the narratives less complex, its target audience will relish the genuine creepiness and the clever twists. This volume firmly establishes itself as a must-have for budding ghost hunters, sitting comfortably alongside classics of children's horror like Gaiman's 'Coraline' for its ability to truly haunt.

📝 Description: Ghost: Thirteen Haunting Tales to Tell (Scary Children's Books for Kids Age 9 to 12, Ghost Stories for Middle Schoolers)

Ghost: Thirteen Haunting Tales to Tell is a ghost story collection for middle schoolers. Featuring the only true ghost stories in existence (as the book itself will tell you), readers discover 13 eerie encounters that are perfect for sharing--if they dare. With tales about a finger against the inside of a mirror, a wooded area where the trees look back, and a basement door blocked by a brick wall so thick it stifles the screams from below, this book is sure to haunt anyone who can't resist a spooky story. - Filled with creepy poems and tales - Features striking, bone-chilling illustrations from Disney-Pixar talent - Book contains all original stories This haunting book will consume your imagination and keep readers of every age up long past their bedtimes. - Great for those who can't get enough of Halloween, ghost stories, scary movies, and all things spooky, as well as librarians and teachers looking for a thrilling read to share with students - The perfect book to read by a campfire or during a slumber party--or alone under the covers in the middle of the night - Add it to the shelf with books like A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz, Coraline by Neil Gaiman, Malice by Chris Wooding, and the Serafina series

💎 Expert review

“
💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
While 'Ghost' succeeds as a targeted introduction to horror for its specific demographic, it lacks the literary depth or unique stylistic flair found in more sophisticated works. Readers seeking complex character development, nuanced philosophical inquiries into the afterlife, or high-stakes adult-oriented psychological terror will find this collection too simplistic and formulaic. The assertion of these being the 'only true' stories is a playful marketing hook rather than a substantial literary claim. It is strictly for those content with straightforward scares and does not appeal to critics or fans who demand intricate plotting or mature thematic exploration beyond basic frights.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book is an ideal companion for children aged nine to twelve who are eager to explore the thrill of fear without genuine peril. It serves as a perfect social tool for sharing experiences around campfires or under blankets, fostering bonding through shared chills. The collection offers accessible, bite-sized narratives that respect the cognitive level of middle-schoolers while delivering genuine unease. Parents and educators may appreciate its ability to spark imagination and discuss the concept of truth versus fiction in storytelling. For young readers seeking a safe gateway into the broader genre of horror, these thirteen tales provide just enough mystery and dread to be memorable without being overwhelming, making it a cherished addition to any spooky library.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5
★★★★★
If you find yourself drawn to the spooky, the mysterious, and the genuinely unsettling, especially during Halloween season, then this collection is for you. Ideal for middle schoolers, or anyone who enjoys a thrilling, well-crafted ghost story that lingers long after the last page.

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

While 'Ghost' succeeds as a targeted introduction to horror for its specific demographic, it lacks the literary depth or unique stylistic flair found in more sophisticated works. Readers seeking complex character development, nuanced philosophical inquiries into the afterlife, or high-stakes adult-oriented psychological terror will find this collection too simplistic and formulaic. The assertion of these being the 'only true' stories is a playful marketing hook rather than a substantial literary claim. It is strictly for those content with straightforward scares and does not appeal to critics or fans who demand intricate plotting or mature thematic exploration beyond basic frights.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Absolutely. The publisher confirms that all thirteen narratives within this volume are entirely new creations, specifically crafted for this collection, ensuring a fresh experience for avid ghost story fans.
Designed for readers aged 9 to 12, the tales are crafted to be suspenseful and eerie without being overly graphic or terrifying. It's an excellent entry point for those beginning to explore the thrilling world of supernatural fiction.

📖 Who should read this

If you find yourself drawn to the spooky, the mysterious, and the genuinely unsettling, especially during Halloween season, then this collection is for you. Ideal for middle schoolers, or anyone who enjoys a thrilling, well-crafted ghost story that lingers long after the last page.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

The Nature of Fear

This anthology masterfully explores the psychological underpinnings of fear in a way accessible to younger audiences. It delves into the unease of unseen presences, the terror of isolation, and the dread of the unknown, using vivid scenarios like being watched by trees or hearing muffled cries from behind a wall to evoke genuine chills rather than overt gore.

The Art of Storytelling

Central to this work is the tradition of sharing spooky narratives. The book frames its tales as perfect for recounting, encouraging readers to become part of a long-standing practice of oral storytelling. It emphasizes the communal experience of fear and wonder, making each story a potential spark for conversation and shared shivers among friends.

Unseen Realms & Hauntings

The collection plunges directly into the world of the supernatural, presenting thirteen distinct encounters with spectral entities and unexplained phenomena. It invites readers to ponder the existence of spirits, the lingering presence of the past, and the thin veil separating our world from the ghostly domain, fostering a sense of mystery and intrigue about what lies beyond.

📜 Historical context

Ghost stories have always been a staple of folklore and a rite of passage for young audiences, from ancient campfire tales to Victorian penny dreadfuls. This collection continues that rich tradition, offering contemporary narratives that echo the classic structures of suspense and dread, while updating them with a modern sensibility and striking visuals for today's discerning young readers.

📚 Glossary

Haunting
Eerie
Spectral

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. Reflect on a time you felt genuinely scared by a story. What elements made it so frightening, and how did it make you feel physically and emotionally?
  2. If you were to share a 'true' ghost story, what would its central mystery be? Describe the most unsettling moment you would include.
  3. Consider the idea of a place or object being haunted. What do you imagine causes a spirit to linger, and what might it seek to communicate?

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