By Kitty Felde
I don’t like scary movies. Those flying monkeys from either movie version of “The Wizard of Oz” give me nightmares. But some kids LOVE scary movies.
If that’s your reluctant reader, why not use scary stories to tempt them to pick up a book?
An article published in “Psychology Today” found that horror fans fall into three categories: Adrenaline Junkies, White Knucklers, and Dark Capers.
Adrenaline Junkies crave new and intense experiences. They love to be scared. White Knucklers don’t necessarily enjoy being frightened. In fact, they might even get nightmares. But they go to haunted houses and scary movies anyway. The Dark Caper uses scary stuff as a way of coping with feelings of anxiety. Does your young person fall into one of these categories? Then a good, old fashioned scary story may be just the thing to inspire a reader.
I’ve gathered a handful of middle grade and YA book titles – all featuring various kinds and themes of scariness.
The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste is a spooky story set in the Caribbean. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl is a creepy gothic romance. Looking for an environmental thriller? Try Eye of the Storm by Kate Messner. Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes looks at gun violence. Hoodoo by Ronald L. Smith explores the scary side of Alabama mythology. Need a reminder of pandemic horror? Try Orleans by Sherri L. Smith. And for something of literary horror, try The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak where the main character is death itself.
All of these were featured on the Book Club for Kids podcast, so you can listen to kids discussing the titles to judge whether they’re appropriate for your child.
Psychologists quoted in the article said people who exposed themselves to scary things reported that they felt great, learned something about themselves, and felt as though they’d grown on a personal level. Not me. I’m still staying away from those scary monkeys.
Kitty Felde’s latest Fina Mendoza mystery Snake in the Grass is now available.