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Best Ghost Stories for Kids and Teens

Last updated: September 16, 2025

Looking for a few good haunts? It doesn't matter if you're celebrating Halloween or sitting around a campfire, there's nothing like a spooky ghost story. These paranormal books are full of delightfully creepy tales about ghosts, ghouls, and other supernatural spirits. From the kids who like super-scary stories to the ones who prefer lighter tales of friendly ghosts or courageous ghost hunters, there's sure to be something here that will give them goosebumps. This hand-picked list is full of spooky stories that really put the "boo" in books. And for more haunted tales, try our lists of Horror Books for Kids and Teens or Fantasy Books.

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Goldfish Ghost Poster Image
BOOK

Goldfish Ghost

age 3+

Lonely ghost fish finds a friend in charming seaside tale.

Lemony Snicket Picture Book (2017)
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Gustavo, the Shy Ghost Poster Image
BOOK

Gustavo, the Shy Ghost: The World of Gustavo, Book 1

age 3+

A ghostly sweet tale of courage and friendship.

Flavia Z. Drago Picture Book (2020)
See full review
Leo: A Ghost Story Poster Image
BOOK

Leo: A Ghost Story

age 3+

Sweet, not scary story of friendship and imagination.

Mac Barnett Picture Book (2015)
See full review
Aggie and the Ghost book cover: Girl in a blue raincoat walks through the rain with a one-eyed white ghost following her
BOOK

Aggie and the Ghost

age 4+

Girl sets rules for pesky ghost in quirky friendship tale.

Matthew Forsythe Picture Book (2025)
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Madeline and the Old House in Paris Poster Image
BOOK

Madeline and the Old House in Paris

age 4+

Madeline helps a ghost get his wish in charming tale.

John Bemelmans Marciano Picture Book (2013)
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A Curious Tale of the In-Between Poster Image
BOOK

A Curious Tale of the In-Between

age 8+

Kinda creepy, kinda sweet ghost story for big kids, tweens.

Lauren DeStefano Fantasy (2015)
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Ghost Book book cover: Illustration of a girl on a bicycle with a white spirit on the back; they are being chased by a Hungry Ghost
BOOK

Ghost Book

age 8+

Charming graphic novel about friendship and the afterlife.

Remy Lai Graphic Novel (2023)
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Ghosts Poster Image
BOOK

Ghosts

age 8+

Insightful, moving graphic novel of sisters facing fears.

Raina Telgemeier Fantasy (2016)
See full review
Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories Poster Image
BOOK

Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories, Book 1

age 8+

Mild scares and laughs for Wimpy Kid fans.

Jeff Kinney Graphic Novel (2021)
See full review
School of the Dead Poster Image
BOOK

School of the Dead

age 8+

Suspenseful, action-packed ghost story has mild scares.

Avi Fantasy (2016)
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The Einsteins of Vista Point book cover showing kids with flashlights looking at mysterious tower.
BOOK

The Einsteins of Vista Point

age 8+

Poignant adventure of loving family dealing with loss.

Ben Guterson Emotions (2022)
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The Girl and the Ghost Poster Image
BOOK

The Girl and the Ghost

age 8+

Spellbinding story of ghosts, strong girls, and friendship.

Hanna Alkaf Friendship (2020)
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The Last Resort book cover: A girl in the foreground faces away looking at a large, shadowy mansion with a silhouette in one of the windows
BOOK

The Last Resort, Book 1

age 8+

Tweens help ghosts move on in spine-tingling series start.

Erin Entrada Kelly Horror (2025)
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A Christmas Carol: In Prose, Being a Ghost Story of Christmas Poster Image
BOOK

A Christmas Carol: In Prose, Being a Ghost Story of Christmas

age 9+

Scrooge learns compassion in granddaddy of Christmas tales.

Charles Dickens Holiday (1843)
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Archimancy: Shadow School, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Archimancy: Shadow School, Book 1

age 9+

Heart, suspense abound in spooky middle school ghost story.

J.A. White Fantasy (2019)
See full review
Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares: Paola Santiago, Book 2 Poster Image
BOOK

Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares: Paola Santiago, Book 2

age 9+

Second spooky fantasy keeps chills and thrills coming.

Tehlor Kay Mejia Fantasy (2021)
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The Graveyard Book Poster Image
BOOK

The Graveyard Book

age 9+

Tale of boy raised by ghosts is both creepy and warmhearted.

Neil Gaiman Horror (2008)
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Best Nerds Forever Poster Image
BOOK

Best Nerds Forever

age 10+

Ghostly mystery has humor, sadness, and surprising depth.

James Patterson , Chris Grabenstein Mystery (2021)
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Constable & Toop Poster Image
BOOK

Constable & Toop

age 10+

Thrilling ghost adventure has great characters, plus gore.

Gareth P. Jones Horror (2013)
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Doll Bones Poster Image
BOOK

Doll Bones

age 10+

Tween tale is both creepy and sweetly poignant.

Holly Black Horror (2013)
See full review
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