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Quick answer: If your child loves Goosebumps, try Fear Street, Give Yourself Goosebumps, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Coraline, Bunnicula and Nightbooks. They give spooky fun with twists at the end of each chapter.
R.L. Stine's Goosebumps is a series of children's horror novels with cliffhanger chapters and twist endings. Kids who love them want more spooky books at their level. These 15 books suit ages 7 to 12, with a mix of mild scares and stronger chills. Preview the scariest ones.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome to Dead House | R.L. Stine | 8-12 | the first Goosebumps |
| The Haunted Mask | R.L. Stine | 8-12 | fans of the original |
| Give Yourself Goosebumps: Escape from the Carnival of Horrors | R.L. Stine | 8-12 | choose-your-path fans |
| Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark | Alvin Schwartz | 8-12 | short-scare fans |
| Coraline | Neil Gaiman | 8-12 | readers who like dark fantasy |
| Bunnicula | Deborah and James Howe | 7-11 | younger readers |
| Nightbooks | J.A. White | 8-12 | readers who love scary stories |
| Small Spaces | Katherine Arden | 9-13 | readers who like slow dread |
| Doll Bones | Holly Black | 9-13 | readers who like friendship stories |
| Wait Till Helen Comes | Mary Downing Hahn | 9-12 | readers who like ghost stories |
| The Dollhouse Murders | Betty Ren Wright | 9-12 | readers who like mysteries |
| The Graveyard Book | Neil Gaiman | 9-13 | readers who like atmosphere |
| Scary Stories for Young Foxes | Christian McKay Heidicker | 9-13 | readers who like frame stories |
| The Zombie Chasers | John Kloepfer | 8-12 | zombie fans |
| Fear Street: The New Girl | R.L. Stine | 12+ | older readers |
1. Welcome to Dead House by R.L. Stine
The first Goosebumps book. A family moves to a creepy town with secrets.
Best for: the first Goosebumps.
2. The Haunted Mask by R.L. Stine
Carly Beth puts on a scary mask for Halloween and cannot get it off. A famous Goosebumps story.
Best for: fans of the original.
3. Give Yourself Goosebumps: Escape from the Carnival of Horrors by R.L. Stine
You choose what happens in a spooky carnival. Light scares with many endings.
Best for: choose-your-path fans.
4. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz
The classic collection of creepy folk tales and urban legends, with famously eerie art. Perfect for sleepovers.
Best for: short-scare fans.
5. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Coraline finds a door to a world with another mother who wants to keep her. Eerie and unforgettable.
Best for: readers who like dark fantasy.
6. Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe
A dog and cat suspect the new pet rabbit is a vampire. Funny and gentle.
Best for: younger readers.
7. Nightbooks by J.A. White
Alex is trapped by a witch and must tell scary stories to survive. Clever and spooky.
Best for: readers who love scary stories.
8. Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
Ollie meets a stranger who warns her about a smiling man. Creepy and atmospheric.
Best for: readers who like slow dread.
9. Doll Bones by Holly Black
Three friends go on a quest to bury a doll made from a girl's bones. Spooky and tender.
Best for: readers who like friendship stories.
10. Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn
Molly and her brother face a ghost child who wants Molly's stepsister. A classic haunting.
Best for: readers who like ghost stories.
11. The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright
Amy finds a dollhouse that is a replica of her aunt's house and a clue to an old murder. A spooky mystery.
Best for: readers who like mysteries.
12. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Bod grows up in a graveyard raised by ghosts. Dark, moving and funny.
Best for: readers who like atmosphere.
13. Scary Stories for Young Foxes by Christian McKay Heidicker
Two young foxes learn spooky tales from other animals in the woods. Dark and surprising.
Best for: readers who like frame stories.
14. The Zombie Chasers by John Kloepfer
Zack and his friends fight zombies in their small town. Funny and gross.
Best for: zombie fans.
15. Fear Street: The New Girl by R.L. Stine
The first Fear Street novel for older readers. More violence and teen drama.
Best for: older readers.
How to Choose
For ages 7 to 9, start with Bunnicula or a first Goosebumps. For ages 9 to 12, try Nightbooks, Coraline or Small Spaces. For older kids, read Doll Bones or Fear Street. A simple plan is to read the first chapter aloud, then let your child decide whether to continue. Read in daylight if nightmares are a concern. To keep reading fun, set a rule that scary books are read in the afternoon and not at bedtime, and talk about the twist endings afterward. Many kids love writing their own spooky stories after reading Goosebumps, which is a good writing exercise.
Related: What Age Is Goosebumps Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide · Printable List of Goosebumps Books
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is Goosebumps for?
It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
How many Goosebumps books are there?
More than 60 in the original series, plus many spin-offs.
Are Goosebumps books too scary?
Most kids find them fun, but sensitive readers may want to start with milder ones.
What should we read after Goosebumps?
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and Coraline are popular next steps.
How can I help a child who is scared of scary books?
Start with funny spooky books like Bunnicula, and read together during the day.
Do kids outgrow Goosebumps?
Many move on to Fear Street or classic ghost stories around age 12.