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Quick answer: If your child liked The Ghosts, try Tom's Midnight Garden, The Ghost of Thomas Kempe, The Watch House, The Owl Service, Wait Till Helen Comes and The Graveyard Book. They give gentle and eerie ghost stories for ages 8 to 12.
Antonia Barber's 1969 novel, which was filmed as The Amazing Mr. Blunden, tells of children who meet ghosts from the past in an old English house. It is a quiet, atmospheric story about empathy across time. Readers who love it want more gentle ghost stories. These 15 books suit ages 8 to 13 and range from cozy to creepy.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom's Midnight Garden | Philippa Pearce | 9-12 | the closest match |
| The Ghost of Thomas Kempe | Penelope Lively | 9-12 | readers who like humor |
| The Watch House | Robert Westall | 10-13 | older kids |
| The Owl Service | Alan Garner | 11-14 | older readers |
| Wait Till Helen Comes | Mary Downing Hahn | 9-12 | readers who like ghost stories |
| The Graveyard Book | Neil Gaiman | 9-13 | readers who like atmosphere |
| Coraline | Neil Gaiman | 8-12 | readers who like dark fantasy |
| The Dollhouse Murders | Betty Ren Wright | 9-12 | readers who like mysteries |
| A Stitch in Time | Penelope Lively | 9-12 | readers who like history |
| Charlotte Sometimes | Penelope Farmer | 10-13 | readers who like time stories |
| Ghosts | Raina Telgemeier | 8-12 | graphic novel fans |
| The Canterville Ghost | Oscar Wilde | 9-14 | readers who like comedy |
| A Christmas Carol | Charles Dickens | 9-14 | readers who want a classic |
| Doll Bones | Holly Black | 9-13 | readers who like friendship stories |
| The Secret Garden | Frances Hodgson Burnett | 8-12 | readers who need comfort |
1. Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce
Tom finds a garden that appears at midnight and a girl from the past. A time-slip classic.
Best for: the closest match.
2. The Ghost of Thomas Kempe by Penelope Lively
James is haunted by a seventeenth-century sorcerer's ghost. Funny and fast.
Best for: readers who like humor.
3. The Watch House by Robert Westall
Anne meets the ghosts of a coast guard station. Moody and atmospheric.
Best for: older kids.
4. The Owl Service by Alan Garner
Three teens in a Welsh valley relive an old myth. Dark and mysterious.
Best for: older readers.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Coraline finds a door to a world with another mother. A short, eerie classic.
Best for: readers who like dark fantasy.
8. 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.
9. A Stitch in Time by Penelope Lively
Maria meets a girl from the past in a Victorian house. Quiet and thoughtful.
Best for: readers who like history.
10. Charlotte Sometimes by Penelope Farmer
A girl wakes in the body of another girl in 1918. Strange and time-bending.
Best for: readers who like time stories.
11. Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier
Cat's family moves to a coastal town where the dead are friendly. A graphic novel, gentle and moving.
Best for: graphic novel fans.
12. The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde
An American family moves into a haunted English castle. Funny and sweet.
Best for: readers who like comedy.
13. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Scrooge is visited by three ghosts. A short classic of redemption.
Best for: readers who want a classic.
14. 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.
15. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Mary Lennox discovers a locked garden and brings it back to life. Healing and calm.
Best for: readers who need comfort.
How to Choose
For gentle ghosts, start with Tom's Midnight Garden or Ghosts. For funny hauntings, read The Ghost of Thomas Kempe or The Canterville Ghost. For creepier tales, choose Wait Till Helen Comes or The Watch House. A simple plan is to read one gentle ghost story and one scarier one each month. Preview the creepiest books for sensitive readers. For a cozy evening, read with a lamp and a blanket and talk about what is real and what is imagined. If your child likes history, look up the era of the story and compare the clothes and customs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What age is The Ghosts for?
It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
Are ghost stories good for kids?
Gentle ones can build empathy and imagination, but some children are scared easily.
Why do kids like ghost stories?
They offer safe thrills and a way to explore fears.
What is a time-slip story?
It is a story in which a character moves between the present and the past, often meeting ghosts.
Is there a movie?
Yes. The 1972 film The Amazing Mr. Blunden is based on the book.
What is a good ghost story for a first-time reader?
Tom's Midnight Garden and Ghosts are gentle choices.
Do these books scare kids?
Some are mild, others eerie. Read the first chapters with your child.