Scary Good Stories

Stephen King’s retelling of the Brothers Grimm classic transforms a simple fairy tale into a haunting moral fable about hunger, greed, and the human will to survive. With his trademark suspense and dark humor, King invites readers to confront the choices that desperation can force—and to ask whether goodness can endure in a world built on fear. This eerie reimagining challenges young thinkers to consider what makes evil tempting, what makes courage possible, and why stories about danger still draw us in.

In Edward Gorey’s deliciously macabre alphabet book, twenty-six unfortunate children meet twenty-six spectacularly grim ends—all told in rhyming couplets and deadpan wit. Beneath the morbid humor and intricate pen-and-ink drawings lies a fascinating puzzle: why do we find delight in something so dark? Through laughter and discomfort alike, The Gashlycrumb Tinies encourages reflection on how humor shapes our understanding of fear, tragedy, and empathy—and what it means to find beauty in the bizarre.

One dark and windy night, an old lady hears something following her through the woods—something that goes clomp, clomp and shake, shake! But rather than run away, she meets her fears head-on with wit and confidence. Linda Williams’ beloved story celebrates courage, creativity, and the power of curiosity over panic. It’s a perfect springboard for classroom conversations about bravery, resilience, and how we can turn what scares us into something that helps us grow.

Jon Klassen’s beautifully unsettling tale follows a runaway girl who stumbles upon an abandoned house—and a talking skull who lives there. As the two form an unlikely friendship, the story unfolds into a meditation on companionship, mortality, and what it means to protect one another. Blending quiet tension with warmth and humor, The Skull invites middle-grade readers to consider how fear and kindness often share the same space, and how facing the unknown can lead to unexpected understanding.

Ray Bradbury’s classic adventure whisks a group of friends through time and across cultures on Halloween night, as they uncover the ancient origins of the holiday—and the mysteries of life and death themselves. Guided by the enigmatic Mr. Moundshroud, the children witness the rituals, fears, and hopes that have shaped human celebrations of the afterlife. The Halloween Tree is both spooky and profound, reminding readers that even in the darkest stories, we find lessons about memory, friendship, and what it means to be alive.