Spooky Short Story for 11-13 Year Olds

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Spooky Short Story for 11-13 Year Olds

1FayBel_Veya
Oct 16, 2024, 10:14 pm

I'm looking for a spooky short story to read aloud to Middle School students (11-13 y/o). Either a recommendation for a specific story or a collection of short stories. Here's what I'm looking for: not too scary, takes no more than 15 minutes to read, & gives "scary story by a campfire" vibes. I've already looked through all 3 of the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books by Alvin Schwartz as well as Don't Turn Out the Lights by Jonathan Maberry but didn't quite find a story I loved. Thank you!

2FayBel_Veya
Oct 16, 2024, 10:16 pm

I'm looking for a spooky short story to read aloud to Middle School students (11-13 y/o). Either a recommendation for a specific story or a collection of short stories. Here's what I'm looking for: not too scary, takes no more than 15 minutes to read, & gives "scary story by a campfire" vibes. I've already looked through all 3 of the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books by Alvin Schwartz as well as Don't Turn Out the Lights by Jonathan Maberry but didn't quite find a story I loved. Thank you!

3GraceCollection
Oct 16, 2024, 10:18 pm

I think Tell-Tale Heart and The Raven are classics that I had an appreciation for even at that age, and I wonder if a Poe compendium might be something to look into.

4FayBel_Veya
Oct 17, 2024, 11:34 am

>3 GraceCollection: I don't know why I didn't think of those! Such classics! Thank you!

5tealadytoo
Oct 17, 2024, 11:41 am

You might also consider Shirley Jackson. We read "The Lottery" in class when I was about that age, and though not supernatural, it was VERY creepy.

6Cecrow
Oct 17, 2024, 11:47 am

"The Monkey's Paw" by W.W Jacobs is another classic.

7Marissa_Doyle
Edited: Oct 17, 2024, 1:00 pm

Lafcadio Hearn's The Boy Who Drew Cats is short and spooky.

Link: https://www.surlalunefairytales.com/books/japan/hearn/boydrewcats.html

You also might look at some of Saki's H.H. Munro short stories.

8bustellogirl
Edited: Dec 6, 2024, 10:16 pm

"Lamb to the Slaughter" or "The Landlady" by Roald Dahl!