10+ Best Scary Books for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Looking for the perfect spine-tingling read for your little one? You're in the right spot! Our roundup of scary books for 7-year-olds is packed with tales that strike the perfect balance between spooky and suitable for young readers. Whether your child is a budding bookworm or just dipping their toes into the world of reading, these stories are sure to captivate and thrill. Keep reading to discover our top picks for scary books that will keep your 7-year-old glued to the pages, just in time for a cozy, creepy reading session!

Fun Scary Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A kind witch invites various animals to join her on her broom, much to the dismay of her cat. Their teamwork is put to the test when they face a fearsome dragon.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and rhythmic read that emphasizes the value of friendship and teamwork.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about witches and magical adventures.

• In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories by Alvin Schwartz, illustrated by Dirk Zimmer
  • Genre(s): Horror, Short Stories
  • Synopsis: A collection of spooky tales that are just the right level of scary for young children.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces kids to the horror genre in a way that's manageable and not too frightening, enhancing their reading skills and imagination.
  • Perfect for: Children who are beginning to explore slightly scary stories.

• The Dark by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Jon Klassen
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Laszlo is afraid of the dark which lives in the same big, creaky house as him. But when his nightlight burns out, he has to face his fears.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book tackles the common childhood fear of the dark in a gentle and reassuring way.
  • Perfect for: Kids who might be afraid of the dark and need a story to help them overcome their fears.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A mouse uses clever tricks to evade danger during a walk in the forest, ultimately coming face-to-face with the mythical Gruffalo.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches strategic thinking and the power of intelligence over brute strength.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love stories with clever protagonists and mythical creatures.

• Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown
  • Genre(s): Horror, Humor
  • Synopsis: Jasper Rabbit loves carrots until he starts believing that they are following him. Is his imagination running wild, or are the carrots really out to get him?
  • Why we recommend this book: It blends humor with a light touch of suspense and teaches about the consequences of greed.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy a good laugh mixed with a bit of a thrill.

• The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams, illustrated by Megan Lloyd
  • Genre(s): Horror, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A brave old lady encounters a series of spooky items in the woods, but she declares she is not afraid of anything, leading to a surprising and humorous conclusion.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s great for teaching courage and how to handle fear, wrapped up in a fun and engaging story.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy spooky stories with brave characters and a humorous twist.

Educational Scary Books for 7-Year-Olds

• The Witch’s Cat and the Cooking Catastrophe by Kirstie Watson, illustrated by Ella Okstad
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: A young witch’s cat tries to use magic to prepare a meal, but everything goes hilariously wrong.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Following instructions, problem-solving, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a light-hearted, spooky story that teaches the importance of perseverance and following directions.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love magical mishaps and whimsical tales.

• Gustavo, the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Social Skills
  • Synopsis: Gustavo is a ghost who is incredibly shy and struggles to make friends with the other monsters.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social skills, emotional intelligence, self-acceptance
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses themes of loneliness and the courage it takes to overcome personal fears in a very gentle way.
  • Perfect for: Children who are shy or have difficulties in social settings.

• The Pomegranate Witch by Denise Doyen, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A group of children tries to pick pomegranates from a witch’s guarded tree, leading to a whimsical battle.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Teamwork, strategy, rhyming skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines poetic storytelling with a touch of suspense and teaches the value of working together.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy a good rhyme and a slightly spooky narrative.

• Bone Soup by Cambria Evans
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Folklore
  • Synopsis: Finnigin, a notoriously hungry skeleton, arrives in a new town where everyone seems to be hiding their food. He cleverly convinces the other monsters to share their hidden supplies and make a soup everyone enjoys.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sharing, community building, culinary interest
  • Why we recommend this book: This book is a spooky twist on the classic tale of "Stone Soup," promoting the importance of sharing and community.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy spooky stories with a moral lesson.

• Sir Simon: Super Scarer by Cale Atkinson
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Sir Simon is a professional ghost who meets his match when he tries to haunt a little boy who turns out to be more work than he anticipated.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, humor, understanding responsibilities
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a funny and endearing story that explores the ups and downs of unexpected friendships.
  • Perfect for: Children who love funny ghost stories and learning about responsibilities in a light-hearted way.

Challenging Scary Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Coraline by Neil Gaiman
  • Genre(s): Horror, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A young girl named Coraline discovers an alternate universe that initially seems better than her own but soon reveals darker secrets.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative delves into complex themes of identity, bravery, and self-sacrifice, with a subtly creepy undertone that's rare for children's literature.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling adventure that encourages readers to think critically about the concept of "ideal" worlds and the importance of appreciating their own lives.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are ready for a more sophisticated and thought-provoking spooky story.

• The Witches by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror
  • Synopsis: The story follows a boy and his grandmother as they try to defeat the witches who are planning to eliminate all the children in England.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features complex characters and a rich plot that includes themes of good versus evil, requiring readers to engage with a deeper level of moral reasoning.
  • Why we recommend this book: Dahl's ability to combine horror with humor provides a captivating read that also teaches important lessons about courage and vigilance.
  • Perfect for: Advanced young readers who enjoy a mix of humor and horror with strong moral underpinnings.

• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
  • Synopsis: After the murder of his family, a toddler wanders into a graveyard where ghosts raise him, but the danger that killed his family looms close.
  • Why this book is challenging: This book offers a rich narrative structure and a unique setting that explores themes of life, death, and belonging in ways that are unusual for children’s literature.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a safe exploration of dark themes with a focus on growth and survival, encouraging readers to face fears with courage.
  • Perfect for: Readers who are not only looking for a ghost story but also a coming-of-age tale.

• Baba Yaga’s Assistant by Marika McCoola, illustrated by Emily Carroll
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Folklore
  • Synopsis: Masha applies to be an assistant to the fearsome witch Baba Yaga and must pass a series of tests that challenge her wits and courage.
  • Why this book is challenging: The integration of Slavic folklore with a graphic novel format demands a higher level of visual literacy and interpretation.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the allure of graphic novels with the richness of traditional stories, offering a visually stimulating experience that enhances storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are interested in folklore and enjoy graphic novels.

• The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
  • Genre(s): Horror, Mystery
  • Synopsis: Two abandoned Irish siblings work as servants at a creepy, crumbling English manor house and begin to uncover its haunting secrets along with the eerie presence of a ghostly gardener.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story is layered with complex themes like greed, secrets, and redemption, presented through a suspenseful and atmospheric narrative.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a gripping tale that builds suspense and fear in a controlled way, making it a great introduction to scarier content without being too overwhelming.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy ghost stories and mysteries with a strong emotional core.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to dive into some spooky books with your 7-year-old, it’s a great opportunity to also build some solid reading habits. Below are some fun exercises that not only make reading enjoyable but also help develop these habits early on. Let's get started!

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Set up a comfortable, quiet space dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Encourages regular reading by providing a special place that's just for books.
  • Tips: Let your child help in setting it up with cushions, a lamp, and maybe even some Halloween decorations!

• Book Selection Day
  • What it is: Have a day where your child picks out all the scary books they want to read for the week.
  • How it helps: Gives your child control over what they read, which can boost enthusiasm and engagement.
  • Tips: Guide them to choose a variety of books, including both challenging ones and those they can breeze through.

• Story Predictions
  • What it is: Before reading, ask your child what they think will happen in the story based on the cover and title.
  • How it helps: Enhances imaginative thinking and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Discuss their predictions after finishing the book to see what was right and what surprised them.

• Reading Aloud Together
  • What it is: Spend time reading the story aloud with your child.
  • How it helps: Improves vocabulary and reading fluency, and it's a great bonding activity.
  • Tips: Use different voices for characters to make the reading more engaging and fun.

• Illustrate the Story
  • What it is: Encourage your child to draw scenes or characters from the book.
  • How it helps: Helps with comprehension and recall, and allows creativity to flow.
  • Tips: Share the drawings with family members to boost confidence and make the activity more rewarding.

• Discuss and Reflect
  • What it is: After reading, have a discussion about the book’s themes, characters, and events.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding and critical thinking about the story.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions to encourage deeper thinking and expression.

Wrapping up, incorporating these exercises into your reading routine can make those spooky stories even more enjoyable and enriching for your child. Not only do they get to enjoy some chilling tales, but they also develop lifelong reading skills. Happy reading and happy haunting!