Ghost stories for children and teens

Ghost stories for children and teens

Ghost stories can be funny, tender, mysterious or genuinely frightening, and this reading list follows that range from interactive picture books and gentle first ghosts to middle-grade hauntings, historical mysteries and gripping YA horror. The selections include stories about friendship, courage, grief, identity and the way people explain the unexplained, alongside illustrated non-fiction for discussion and research. They can support reading for pleasure, narrative writing, atmosphere, folklore and classroom conversations about belief. This list features books by Michael Morpurgo, Jon Klassen, Penelope Lively, Jonathan Stroud, Tom Fletcher, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Flavia Z. Drago, Kenneth Oppel, Blessing Musariri, and Aiden Thomas.

Ghost stories for children and teens – our recommendations

Ghost story picture books for 3-7 year olds

Who Said Boo? by Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald

An invisible green ghost delights in frightening everyone inside a green castle, although observant readers can see exactly who is shouting “Boo!” Each startled character accuses the wrong suspect until a clever jester devises a way to expose the mischievous culprit. The cumulative rhyme, repeated phrases and pantomime-style audience participation make it especially enjoyable to perform aloud with a EYFS groups.

The Ghost Library by David Melling

Bo discovers that the ghost library is a room lined with empty shelves, where ghosts listen to stories borrowed from unsuspecting children. When the ghosts try to borrow a book for themselves, Bo is drawn into their world and refuses to let her own story go. David Melling’s warm, imaginative picture book turns reading into the bridge between the living and the dead, with a gentle adventure at its centre.

Ghost in the House by Ammi-Joan Paquette, illustrated by Adam Record

This cumulative counting story for 5-7 year olds begins when a little ghost hears a groan in the hallway. A friendly mummy, a monster and other ghoulish companions join the journey through the house, building rhythm and anticipation until the playful final reveal. Adam Record’s illustrations keep the supernatural cast lively and cartoon-like, so the mood stays welcoming. Repeated phrases and counting make it especially suited to shared reading.

I Will Haunt This by Viviane Schwarz, illustrated by Chris Riddell

A little ghost is forced to leave its vase behind and find somewhere else to live. Its search leads through a house full of objects that never quite feel like home, until a girl offers a round teapot filled with warm memories. Their friendship helps the ghost settle somewhere new, while giving the girl more confidence in her own creativity. Chris Riddell’s lively and immersive illustrations add humour and warmth to this gently spooky picture book for 3-7 year olds. A lovely choice for sharing with younger children around Halloween. Highly recommended.

How to Make Friends With a Ghost by Rebecca Green

This picture-book guide for 5-8 year olds imagines the practicalities of ghost friendship, from choosing the right snacks to sharing bedtime stories and finding ways to care for a shy new companion. Rebecca Green’s retro-inspired illustrations give the ghost a distinctive personality and fill each page with small visual jokes. The result is a tender, humorous story about companionship, kindness and the pleasures of making room for someone unusual.

There’s a Little Ghost in Your Book: An interactive Halloween board book by Tom Fletcher

Little Ghost has wandered into the pages and needs help dealing with a Monster and a Witch. Children can tap, slide and jiggle the book to join the action, making this interactive board book an involving read-aloud. Tom Fletcher uses direct, playful language and a gentle Halloween mood, so the story encourages participation without becoming frightening. It works particularly well for one-to-one sharing and group story time.

Little Ghost Goes Boo! by Sunita Nahar, illustrated by Nancy Leschnikoff

This funny picture book for 3+ year olds takes Little Ghost to Spook Night, where everyone is expected to say the right spooky word. Little Ghost cannot find the word, but a young girl offers help and encouragement, giving the ghost the confidence to speak out. Sunita Nahar’s story has a reassuring emotional core, while Nancy Leschnikoff’s illustrations fill the board-book pages with expressive ghosts and friendly Halloween energy.

Giggling Ghosts by Fiz Osborne, illustrated by Tim Budgen

Giggling Ghosts is an interactive picture book for 3+ year olds about a group of friendly ghosts who love scaring people, then burst into giggles themselves. Rhyming text invites children to sneak, spin, glide and BOOOOO along with the characters, with actions to join in on every page. Tim Budgen’s expressive illustrations give each ghost a lively presence, making the book a good fit for movement, sound effects and shared fun.

I Want Everything by Sophy Henn

Big Ghost wants everything, but Little Ghost is not convinced. As the two talk it through, the story moves from wanting things to seeing the value of friendship and the warmth of shared moments. Told through vibrant speech bubbles and cleverly direct questions, this outstanding and boldly illustrated picture book for 3+ year olds gives young children an easy way to explore what it means to want versus need and what matters most in life. Highly recommended.

Gustavo, the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago

The picture book for 3-5 year olds introduces Gustavo, a ghost who can walk through walls, make objects fly, glow in the dark and play the violin, yet is too shy to make friends. He practises for a special Day of the Dead concert, hoping music will help him connect with the other spirits. Flavia Z. Drago’s richly coloured illustrations and gentle storytelling create a warm story about courage, creativity and finding a way to be heard.

The Invisible Story by Jaime Gamboa and Wen Hsu Chen

The Invisible Story centres on a ghostly book that’s invisible to most – until a blind girl stumbles upon it. At first, it’s blank, but then it reveals itself in braille, proving stories can be told in all sorts of ways. It’s a beautiful exploration of inclusion and sight loss, showing how books can be ‘seen’ differently. The cut-paper illustrations with jewel-toned details add to the theme of invisibility. It’s ideal for discussion in KS1 and KS2.

The Adventures of Sweet Boo: Finding a Father by Taylor Dolan

Sweet Boo is a ghost with shiny shoes, a favourite colour of green and no particular desire for a family. That changes when she spots a picture of a friendly-looking dad and begins to wonder whether she might be missing something after all. Following the clues leads Boo into an office, a spell of company-running chaos and an encounter with a boy and his father. This two-colour comic caper introduces an exuberantly energetic new series for 5+ year olds and emerging independent readers.

Ghost stories for children aged 7-12

Olivia Shivers: Spooky Special Agent by Derek Keilty, illustrated by Louis Ghibault

During a school author visit, Olivia alone realises that the visiting writer is a ghost. The discovery reveals that she has inherited her grandfather’s Spook Sense and that he secretly works for SCARE, the Spook Capture and Rehabilitation Enterprises. When Grandpa is kidnapped, Olivia and her best friend Roop launch a rescue mission. This series opening adventure for 7+ year olds blends accessible chapter-book storytelling, black-and-white illustrations, supernatural danger and an inventive secret-agent setup. It’s a winning formula for KS2.

Ghost and Toast: Slice to Meet You! by Phil Corbett

Ghost arrives at a haunted mansion expecting the paranormal, but not a talking slice of bread called Toast. Ghost remembers nothing about life before becoming a ghost, so the unlikely pair set out to uncover his past while contending with evil pastries, ghost trains, giant kittens, gingerbread houses and a scheming Croissant. Phil Corbett’s graphic novel keeps the jokes and surreal detours coming. The comic sharpness and brisk visual storytelling make this a sparkling pick for 7-12 year olds.

The Last Day of October by Phil Hickes

Set on a shadowy Halloween night in Oregon, this gripping and genuinely scary ghost story for 9+ year olds follows three friends who ditch trick-or-treating to investigate the ruins of the burned-down McBride House – rumoured to be haunted by its long-dead residents. What starts as a thrill quickly turns unsettling as they uncover secrets buried for a century. This memorable middle grade mixes eerie suspense with classic haunted house tropes, all brought to life by Oriol Vidal’s moody, atmospheric illustrations. It’s perfect for reading to KS2 classes in the run up to halloween, and it will appeal to less confident readers in UKS2.

The Ghost of Thomas Kempe by Penelope Lively

This classic ghost story for 8-12 year olds begins when James and his family move into an old cottage. Strange disturbances make everyone suspect James, but the trouble comes from Thomas Kempe, a seventeenth-century apothecary and sorcerer who wants James to become his apprentice. Penelope Lively combines domestic mishaps, village life and historical mystery in a story that gives its young protagonist an increasingly difficult supernatural problem to solve.

Tales of Ghosts and Hauntings by Susan Martineau, illustrated by Vicky Barker

Susan Martineau brings together tales of hauntings and strange sightings across six themed chapters, with Vicky Barker adding some delighlyfully spooky illustrations. After every batch of accessible and engaging stories, a “Let’s Investigate” section encourages readers to weigh the evidence, compare different versions, and try out their own explanations. Blending folklore with facts and observations, the book nudges children to question what they read and see. It’s perfect to spark curiosity in KS2 classrooms. Highly recommended.

Ghost Scouts: Mayhem at Camp Croak! by Taylor Dolan

Lexie Wild and her friends at Camp Croak face a dangerous challenge from their rivals at Happy Hollow, while whispering snakes add another threat to an already chaotic adventure. With pillow fights, scary campfire storytelling and a race against time, the fourth book in this brightly illustrated, fun and inclusive series is an ideal pacey first chapter-book mystery adventure for children aged 6-9.

Dead Yard: Seeds of Doom by P. J. Killburn

Jermaine joins his great-great uncle’s Dead Yard, a night of music, food and stories for the departed. Not knowing the rules, he eats food meant for a spirit and ends up haunted by Uncle Carl. Soon, children across town fall ill in ways that echo his great-grandmother’s ghostly tales. With cursed seeds spreading and a shadowy figure on the loose, Jermaine and Carl are forced into an uneasy alliance. Perfect for KS2, it’s the first gripping ghostly page-tuner in a highly anticipated new series.

The Island Vet – Devil Bird Island by Gill Lewis, Illustrated by Irina Avgustinovich

Tia and Nat’s camping trip to Devil Bird Island takes a wild turn when they rescue a tangled turtle and stumble into a ghostly mystery. Strange noises and eerie sights keep them on edge, but back home, the truth about the island’s secrets comes to light. With Gill Lewis’s heartfelt storytelling and Irina Avgustinovich’s illustrations, this adventure weaves conservation themes into a gripping tale for readers aged 7+. Perfect for kids who love nature and a good scare!

The Haunting of Aveline Jones by Phil Hickes

This ghost mystery for 9-12 year olds begins when Aveline discovers a spooky old book in a second-hand bookshop. It once belonged to Primrose Penberthy, an eleven-year-old girl who vanished mysteriously, and Aveline becomes determined to investigate. As the seaside setting grows more unsettling, the boundary between reading about ghosts and encountering one starts to disappear. Phil Hickes builds the story around curiosity, atmosphere and a determined young detective.

Ghostlight by Kenneth Oppel

This ghost story for 9-14 year olds follows two young people drawn into a dangerous mystery involving a haunted island, a secret society and a terrible truth. The supernatural atmosphere grows steadily as the characters investigate what the spirits want and why the past still has such power. Kenneth Oppel combines friendship, adventure and horror, carrying the tension towards a dramatic climax at Toronto’s CN Tower.

Death by Chocolate by Anna Brooke

The Bean family’s hotel in France is losing money, and the resident ghost isn’t helping matters. Monsieur Framboise, a magnificently named former chocolatier, haunts the building with unfinished business and a talent for confectionery. With her friend Louis, Coco Bean learns the secrets of chocolate making and starts digging into the mystery of his death. Laugh-out-loud action, mystery and plenty of cocoa fuel a race to save the hotel before Easter in this fast-paced read for 8+ year olds.

Lockett & Wilde: The Ghosts of the Manor by Lucy Strange, illustrated by Pam Smy

This ghost detective mystery for 9-12 year olds introduces Matilda Lockett, who performs as Poor Dead Edna alongside her spirit-medium aunt Signora Valentina and theatrical uncle Barnabus. At Beauchamp Manor, Matilda discovers that she can see ghosts and meets Edgar Wilde, a ghost boy with a mystery of his own. Lucy Strange brings theatre, family history and investigation together, while Pam Smy’s illustrations add atmosphere and visual clues.

The Scream of the Whistle by Emily Randall-Jones

Ruby’s had enough of her strange new village – so she follows an old railway line, desperate to get back to her old life. But when a ghostly steam train roars out of the dark, she’s swept into a chilling ride through time. Packed with eerie myths, haunted places and plenty of suspense, this spooky middle-grade tale explores how we face change, fear and the past when it won’t stay buried. It’s atmospheric and gripping, and perfect to send chills down 9+ year olds spines.

The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud

Set in a London stalked by spectres, this first Lockwood & Co. novel follows Lucy Carlyle as she joins the smallest psychic investigation agency in the city. After a case goes disastrously wrong, the agency is left fighting for its future, and its next job sends Lucy, Lockwood and George to one of England’s most haunted houses. Jonathan Stroud combines ghost-hunting danger, dry humour and a tightly built supernatural mystery.

Shiver Point: Beneath the Ghostly Graves by Gabriel Dylan

Mo’s life in Shiver Point is never boring, especially with creepy legends like Blue Bessie, the ghost of Shadow Hill Cemetery, hanging around. In a bid to prove himself, Mo accidentally wakes Bessie, and she promptly kidnaps his brother. Now, Mo and his friends have to play her dangerous game to save him. The fourth book in the Shiver Point series, this spooky tale will thrill fans of Goosebumps and Dread Wood, perfect for readers aged 9–12.

The Giant’s Necklace by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Briony May Smith

This short ghost story for 7-9 year olds begins with Cherry making a necklace from pink cowrie shells on the Cornish coast. A sudden storm changes the day completely, and the tale shifts into a tense encounter with the past. Michael Morpurgo’s compact narrative connects the landscape, local industrial history and the imagination of a child, while Briony May Smith’s illustrations give the seaside setting a strong sense of place.

Real-life Mysteries: Tales of Scary Beasts by Susan Martineau, illustrated by Vicky Barker

Ever wondered what explorers really saw when they claimed to spot sea monsters or giant apes? This book explores six strange sightings and asks readers to play detective. With detailed illustrations and an impetus to think critically, it’s a mix of mystery, fact and imaginative adventure. Written by Susan Martineau and illustrated by Vicky Barker, it’s perfect for curious 8+ year olds who love solving puzzles and questioning the world around them.

The Twig Man by Sana Rasoul

Eleven-year-old Ari is convinced that his sister Lana was kidnapped by the Twig Man, a malevolent figure who dwells in the woods. Nobody believes him, so Ari has to take matters into his own hands and confront the Twig Man to get Lana back. Teaming up with an unlikely new friend, Timmy, Ari combats the dark creature and uncovers the truth. The novel blends suspense with creepy eeriness, making it an compelling read for 10+ horror fans.

Ghostcloud by Michael Mann

This KS2 ghost adventure for 9+ year olds centres on Luke, who is kidnapped and forced to work in a power station. There he discovers that he can see and communicate with ghosts, opening a route into a hidden world above the city. The supernatural adventure grows into a story of friendship, courage and freedom, with a fast-moving plot that brings industrial surroundings and ghostly encounters together.

Silent Night by Emma Read

Masen, Conor and Joss wake on Christmas morning to find their parents gone and a snowstorm sealing them in. The presents stay untouched as the house fills with an uneasy silence. Searching for answers leads them into dangers that push their courage and loyalty to the limit. Emma Read, best known for Milton the Mighty, spins a winter mystery with a sharp sci-fi edge, blending family ties, fear and suspense. With short chapters and plenty of cliffhangers, it is ideal for reading to classes in the run-up to winter. It is also tailor-made for spooky 10+ year old late-night reading. Highly recommended.

Nina Peanut: Mega Mystery Solver by Sarah Bowie

Nina Peanut, detective and ghost hunter, investigates a mysterious haunted shoe while running for class captain against the nasty Megan Dunne. What could possibly go wrong? Blending laugh-out-loud fun – we loved Mr Hairyson – with themes of friendship and politics, it will appeal to less confident readers who enjoy school-based stories and mysteries. Teachers of less able writers will find Nina Peanut invaluable for modelling story sequencing. If your KS2 children like Dog Man, Tom Gates, or Lottie Brooks, they’ll love this. Expect this heavyweight full-colour graphic novel romp to regularly disappear from your bookshelf.

Still Water by Chris Priestley

This dyslexia-friendly wartime ghost story for 9+ year olds follows Rosie, an evacuee whose new surroundings contain a disturbing mystery. A strange figure and a horrifying revelation draw her into a tense encounter with the past, while the compact format keeps the story moving. Chris Priestley combines historical setting, suspense and supernatural unease in a Barrington Stoke novel designed to offer accessible reading with gripping content.

The Case of Dr Dust by Samuel J. Halpin, illustrated by Laura Borio

When Billy finds a strange pair of glasses, she starts seeing ghosts – and they’re terrified. A creepy masked figure called Dr Dust is snatching spirits using some kind of device, and it’s up to Billy – with help from a friendly ghost – to stop him. Between hauntings, friendship fallout, and her mums’ antique shop in trouble, things get complicated fast. With spooky twists and everyday drama, this illustrated tale for 9-12 year olds mixes ghost-hunting with real-world growing pains. Highly recommended.

Do You Believe in Ghosts? by Danny Robins, illustrated by Ellen Walker

This illustrated non-fiction book for 9-12 year olds gathers accounts of poltergeists, apparitions, ghostly photographs, haunted places and messages from the spirit world. Danny Robins sets the stories alongside questions about evidence, belief and scepticism, so the book invites discussion as well as a few shivers. Ellen Walker’s illustrations keep the presentation lively, making it useful for independent browsing, paired reading and conversations about how people explain the unexplained.

The Skull by Jon Klassen

This gothic folktale for 6-9 year olds follows Otilla, who leaves home and finds shelter in a house in the forest. There she meets a skull with a secret, while dark shadows gather each night. Jon Klassen’s spare text, ink-rich illustrations and quiet sense of unease create a story that feels both old-fashioned and wonderfully strange. Its blend of mystery, humour and gentle menace rewards close looking and rereading.

Ghost stories for teens

Ghost by Finbar Hawkins

Three lives intertwine across time in Ghost. In 60 AD, Aine breaks free from Roman masters and stirs an ancient force. In 1783, Sarah senses restless spirits in the woods. In the present day, Marie leaves art school and begins to hear voices that pull her into the same battle. Bound to one place and one dark power, their stories collide in a gripping mix of history, survival and other-wordly strangeness. 12+ year olds will be gripped by this unusually atmospheric and magical novel. Highly recommended for KS3.

The Society of Free Spirits: A Deadly Scandal by Felicity Epps

A fashionable séance turns deadly when a guest is stabbed with a hatpin and suspicion falls upon the Society of Free Spirits. Seventeen-year-old Ada Hawthorne had hoped to investigate the Spirit Hand, an occult device producing threatening messages, but must now protect the society from scandal and identify a murderer. An atmospheric mystery for teens, the story mixes Victorian high society, spiritualism, ghostly visions and a group of determined young women.

The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass

This YA horror novel for 14-17 year olds follows sixteen-year-old Jake Livingston, a medium who sees dead people around his school. Most ghosts are harmless, but Sawyer Doon is different: in life he killed six pupils at a local high school before taking his own life, and in death he becomes a powerful, vengeful presence. Ryan Douglass combines supernatural suspense with a tense story about identity, school life and survival.

All That It Ever Meant by Blessing Musariri

The death of their mother leaves Mati, her father and her two siblings struggling to make sense of their grief and one another. When they travel from London to Zimbabwe, Mati is accompanied by Meticais, a fabulously dressed gender-neutral spirit – or perhaps a ghost or imaginary friend – whom only she can see and talk to. Guided by Meticais’s enigmatic advice, Mati confronts loss, family tensions and what it means to live between two cultures. Beautifully written and built around a memorable twist, All That It Ever Meant is a powerful YA novel about grief, identity, love and family. Highly recommended for KS4 school libraries.

The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould

This YA ghost mystery for 13-17 year olds is set in Snakebite, Oregon, where teenagers are disappearing and the town’s carefully buried history is rising to the surface. Logan Ortiz-Woodley arrives with her ghost-hunting television-presenter dads, while Ashley Barton searches for her missing boyfriend. Courtney Gould brings the two girls together in a supernatural story about their search and the history haunting a small community.

We Three Witches by Rosie Talbot

In 1930s York, witch Viola Samphire investigates a deadly fire that claimed her coven sister Edie. Gifted with the unsettling ability to see ghosts, including Edie herself, Viola hunts for answers alongside fellow witches Bea and Merle. Strange signs emerge: children’s spirits drift into view, her divination tools vanish, and the trail twists further. It is a hot cauldron brew of thrilling mystery. Part ghost story, part whodunnit and part gothic romantasy, it is an unforgettable tale of magic, grief, and the fierce ties of sisterhood. Highly recommended, We Three Witches is perfect Halloween reading for 13+ year olds in KS3 and KS4.

Songs for Ghosts by Clara Kumagai

This YA ghost story for 12+ year olds follows Japanese-American teenager Adam, who discovers the diary of a young Japanese woman. The diary draws him into a haunting connected with Nagasaki, while questions of memory, family and identity deepen the mystery. Clara Kumagai combines a supernatural premise with historical and cultural context, creating a thoughtful novel about the way the past can remain present across generations.

I Will Never Leave You by Kara A. Kennedy

After four years in a volatile relationship, Maya finally finds the courage to break up with Alana. Then Alana disappears – and returns as a ghost with a terrifying demand. Unless Maya helps her possess another girl and come back to life, Alana threatens to frame Maya for her murder. Kara A. Kennedy’s supernatural YA thriller combines paranormal horror with a disturbing exploration of control, emotional abuse and the struggle to escape an unhealthy relationship. Tense, unsettling and psychologically sharp, it is a gripping read for 14+ year olds.

The Beast You Let In by Dana Mele

This YA horror novel for 14-18 year olds is set in Ashling, a rural town where everyone knows the story of Veronica Green, a teenager murdered in the woods. After a party trick involving a Ouija board, one of twin sisters returns claiming to be Veronica. Dana Mele uses the ghost story to drive a tense mystery about siblings, possession, revenge and the secrets held by a close-knit community.

Between Ghosts and Gods by Ann Sei Lin

Kasu has sold her soul to a demon and now deals gambling tiles at Camellia House, an under-realm den where customers surrender jewellery, limbs and dreams. Hoping to earn reincarnation, she follows the Heavenly Principles until mortal prince Arun arrives searching for his exiled mother. Their investigation draws them into danger, deceit and a growing attraction that challenges everything Kasu believes about the gods. Inspired by Chinese mythology, this dark fantasy combining horror and romance is spot on for readers aged 14+.

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

This YA ghost story for 12+ year olds follows Yadriel, who wants to prove himself a brujo, a person able to summon and guide spirits. His attempt to summon a deceased cousin goes wrong and brings back Julian Diaz, the school’s bad boy, who refuses to leave. Aiden Thomas builds the supernatural plot around family, identity, friendship and the question of what the living owe the dead.

Arcana: The Cursed Fate by Sam Prentice-Jones

James, Daphne, Koko, Sunny and Eli return after uncovering painful truths about their pasts, determined to break the powerful ancestral curse that binds them. The second Arcana graphic novel is a stunning and immersive tarot-inspired fantasy for 16+ year olds, imbued with witches, romance, ghosts, family history and rebellion. As the group enters the abandoned farmhouse where Eli first discovered his magic, what will they find? Highly recommended.

The Sad Ghost Club Volume 5 by Lize Meddings

A fundraiser should bring the Sad Ghost Club together, but one of its founding members is conspicuously absent. The remaining ghosts must take on the event while working out how best to help the friend who is missing. This concluding entry in the modern classic graphic novel series speaks directly to its 12+ year old readership about anxiety, loneliness and the fear of not belonging. It places compassion and practical support at the centre of the club’s final challenge.

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

In the cursed town of Sparrow, three sisters were condemned as witches two hundred years ago. Each year, their spirits return by taking possession of local girls and luring boys into the sea. This atmospheric YA ghost story follows the consequences of that old punishment as the town prepares for another summer of hauntings. Shea Ernshaw combines folklore, romance and supernatural suspense in a dark coastal setting.

Escape Castle Dracula by Sam Fern, illustrated by Adam Allori

Sam Fern invites readers into a spectacular interactive adventure set within Count Dracula’s castle. Readers are challenged to help characters like Victor Frankenstein and Dr Jekyll in 14 classic horror narratives, all while solving tricky puzzles and mazes in this highly illustrated hardback. Cleverly combining storytelling with problem-solving, this book is a great way to explore classic literature. Illustrated by Adam Allori, the detailed artwork is mesmerising, and Escape Castle Dracula promises hours of entertainment. This book is absolutely fantastic, and children will read and re-read it for years to come.

Phantom Hearts by Rosie Talbot

16-year-old Malia struggles with anxiety after a fatal school bus crash. As she begins to see ghosts and uncover secrets about the accident with her new friend Keezy, Malia is drawn into a deadly mystery. With atmospheric artwork by Sarah Maxwell, this gripping supernatural story is a fresh and original murder mystery graphic novel.

Ghost Boys Graphic Novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes

After being shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real one, twelve-year-old Jerome becomes a ghost watching what follows. He sees the effect of his death on his family, his community and the officer involved. Along the way he meets Emmett Till, whose harrowing story echoes his own. Illustrated by Setor Fiadzigbey and told here as an emotive, powerful graphic novel, this adaptation looks directly and unflinchingly at racism, justice and loss. It’s a moving and thought-provoking read for KS3 students.

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Ghost story resources for teachers

• National Geographic Kids has a useful primary resource exploring the ingredients of an effective ghost story, including creepy settings, atmosphere and plot devices. The accompanying classroom sheet can be used for group work, individual activities or whole-class discussion, with curriculum links for England and Scotland.
• The National Literacy Trust’s Conisbrough Castle writing challenge uses a suitably spooky castle illustration to inspire pupils to create a ghost story, poem or comic strip. Although the original competition has closed, the prompt remains online alongside a video, book recommendations and writing tips.
• Chicken House’s Lucy Strange Schools’ Hub includes downloadable KS2 and KS3 chapter-by-chapter teaching resources for The Ghost of Gosswater. Teachers can also use Lucy Strange’s Story Starter videos and accompanying notes to explore how places, history, art and literature can inspire pupils’ own fiction.
• Collins and Barrington Stoke provide a free teacher resource for Lucy Strange’s The Boy at the Window, with questions and exercises designed to develop reading strategies and wider learning. The short ghost story is particularly suitable for children aged 9+ and has a reading age of 8.
• British Council TeachingEnglish offers a detailed Hamlet for kids lesson for pupils aged 9-12 at CEFR B1. After watching an animated retelling and completing comprehension and discussion activities, pupils plan and write their own ghost story, supported by a downloadable lesson plan and worksheet.
• For choosing suitable primary reading material, BookTrust’s Halloween books for primary school children includes ghost stories ranging from funny picture books for younger pupils to more chilling novels for Year 6, making it useful when building a themed class or school library collection.
• Oak National Academy’s Year 8 Gothic fiction unit explores Gothic conventions through extracts from well-known nineteenth-century texts while developing analytical and creative writing. Lessons examine atmosphere, characterisation, tension and the techniques writers use to make Gothic fiction unsettling.
• For KS4, Oak National Academy’s A Christmas Carol: a ghost story unit examines Dickens’s novella through its ghosts, Gothic conventions and Victorian context, helping pupils consider why Dickens chose a supernatural framework for his ideas about morality and social responsibility.
• The BFI’s Gothic in the classroom collection uses 13 films to explore Gothic storytelling on screen. The selection ranges from early cinema and classic Hammer horror to The Innocents, an adaptation of Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw, with associated lesson materials offering useful opportunities to compare literary and film techniques.
• The British Library’s learning and teaching resources include free material for secondary English, with expert articles, collection items, films, creative activities and teachers’ notes. Its Discovering Literature collection for Years 10-13 includes nineteenth-century material on Gothic motifs and is particularly useful for placing ghost stories in their literary and historical context.
• For Scottish secondary schools, the Association for Scottish Literature makes James Robertson’s The Mannie & Ither Stories available free in several digital formats. The Mannie is a Scots ghost story intended to be accessible across S1-S3, and teachers can also download an S3 prose-fiction teaching unit and watch supporting material on Stories in Scots.
• English Heritage’s Eight Ghosts project explores how eight contemporary writers created ghost stories inspired by historic English Heritage sites. The accompanying background on the authors, locations, ghost-story tradition and supernatural folklore provides useful stimulus for place-based creative writing and discussions about how setting can shape a story.

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