Handpicked by Our Editors

Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson
Age 5+
4

Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson

Why We Recommend It

Jackie Robinson was special on the baseball field and off. His daughter's bio of the slugger-as-dad emphasizes courage.

Read our full review
Finding great books for children makes them lifelong readers.

When you give your children books they love, you give them a gift that lasts forever. But finding books that appeal to kids when there's so much else competing for their time has become really tough. Our recommended lists by theme and topic will help you find books for children of all ages and interests, from All Things Harry Potter to the best books to share with dads.

Show Reviews for:

New Book Reviews

showing: horror
cirque_du_freak_book_series.jpg
Cirque Du Freak: The Saga of Darren Shan Series by Darren Shan
Parents Need to Know...

that the author claims in the introduction that this is a true story, which some young readers may find confusing. Also, many new fans may result from the release of the fall 2009 movie The Vampire's Assistant, which is based on the first ... read more

Age 10+
Cirque Du Freak: The Saga of Darren Shan Series
3
half.jpg
Half-Minute Horrors by Holly Black, Neil Gaiman, M.T. Anderson, Pseudonymous Bosch, Libba Bray
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a book designed to creep kids out, but stays clear of adult content (bad language, sex, etc.). While there's no gore, stories are at times scary and unnerving and sometimes involve murder or the attempted murder of people. read more

Age 10+
Half-Minute Horrors
4
vampire_diaries.jpg
The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening by L. J. Smith
Parents Need to Know...

that this book, first published in 1991, has been loosely made into a TV show. It bears no resemblance to the vampire sensation Twilight (other than that a vampire poses as a new high school student and a local girl falls for him). In ... read more

Age 15+
The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening
1
Shiver.jpg
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Parents Need to Know...

that although this is a werewolf story, there's more romance than horror. It's a love story between a boy and a girl; the boy just happens to be a werewolf. The passion between the characters grows throughout the story, and they do have ... read more

Age 13+
Shiver
4
avi.jpg
Seer of Shadows
Parents Need to Know...

that this book is best for older tweens, rather than the publisher's suggested target ages of 8-12. The language is beautiful, yet formal and sophisticated, as it reflects the historical time period. Younger kids may have difficulty ... read more

Age 12+
Seer of Shadows
4
9609_orig.jpg
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Parents Need to Know...

that this is mildly creepy with a bit of violence, suspense, and threat, including a man who murders a family and tries to murder a toddler and a teen boy and girl. read more

Age 9+
The Graveyard Book
4
9503_orig.jpg
The Devouring by Simon Holt
Parents Need to Know...

that on the ever-escalating horror scale, this falls fairly low in terms of violence and mayhem. Much of the disturbing action takes place in a "fears cape" where nightmares seem to come true. While it's certainly gross and ... read more

Age 13+
The Devouring
3
9471_orig.jpg
Classic Goosebumps: The Haunted Mask
Parents Need to Know...

that the scares in this book won't be too much for most tweens. A classic creepy guy in costume shop has some gross masks, and suspense is of the "who's in that costume?" and "what's chasing me?" variety. More frightening is when a ... read more

Age 9+
Classic Goosebumps: The Haunted Mask
3
9331_orig.jpg
Bliss by Lauren Myracle
Parents Need to Know...

that this book is a departure from Myracle's previous, light instant-message novels. It's an often disturbing book involving human blood sacrifice; occult rituals (including a reference to "Holy Communion"); graphic descriptions of the ... read more

Age 15+
Bliss
1
9109_orig.jpg
The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein
Parents Need to Know...

that, while there's no graphic violence here, there are references to lots of deaths, some rather gruesome, such as being impaled by a tree limb. Also, the main character steals, though he later either pays for or returns what he has ... read more

Age 9+
The Crossroads
3
8211_orig.jpg
Prom Dates from Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore
Parents Need to Know...

that there is some violence and swearing here, as well as many references to things commercial and sexual, though nothing graphic. read more

Age 14+
Prom Dates from Hell
4
5920_orig.jpg
Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Mirdechai Richler, Adam Rex
Parents Need to Know...

that these monsters act, well, monstrously. So expect some mention of blood-sucking, some scary-looking zombies, and bad behavior on the part of Godzilla (who poops on someone's car). The detailed pictures are true to their subjects, and ... read more

Age 5+
Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich
4
4416_orig.jpg
Peeps by Scott Westerfeld
Parents Need to Know...

that there are a lot of sexual references, but nothing graphic, and nothing described. The plot hinges on the 19-year-old main character's loss of virginity and a sexually transmitted disease. read more

Age 13+
Peeps
4
2635_orig.jpg
Who Let the Ghosts Out! (Mostly Ghostly, Book 1) by R. L. Stine
Parents Need to Know...

that a dog is turned inside out in this horror tale. read more

Age 10+
Who Let the Ghosts Out! (Mostly Ghostly, Book 1)
2
2112_orig.jpg
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Parents Need to Know...

that this story is pretty creepy -- and certainly not for sensitive children. But it's a good choice for kids who want horror and whose parents would prefer it be well-written and not too gruesome. Coraline's world includes rats, spiders, ... read more

Age 9+
Coraline
3
1455_orig.gif
The Evil Moon by R. L. Stine
Parents Need to Know...

that this fast-paced supernatural thriller is notable mostly for the gore and violence. read more

Age 13+
The Evil Moon
2
1343_orig.jpg
Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery by James Howe
Parents Need to Know...

that this book is about a vampire rabbit, but the horror aspect of the plot is mild. The sketchy illustrations are incidental, and a wacky story sprinkled with goofy one-liners will captivate kids from the great title to the last page. read more

Age 9+
Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery
4
1291_orig.jpg
Crictor by Tomi Ungerer
Parents Need to Know...

that the ironic delivery of this preposterous story gives it a special charm, while the artwork, with its scratchy line work and humorous imagery, might have used Crictor's clever tongue as a brush. read more

Age 4+
Crictor
4
1

Recommended Book Lists

See more lists >

Find Books by Title


A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

About Our Reviews

Common Sense Media's book reviews and ratings for all ages are based on child development principles. We give you trustworthy information so you can pick what's best for your family. We may know media, but you're the expert on your kids.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.