ACHUKA

children's & YA recommendations on the go

You are here: Home / Archives for scary

How to Scare Blue Monster by Petr Horácek

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 8 Sep 2026

Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
ISBN: 9781915659897

See also:
Blue Monster [ACHUKA Book of the Day 11 Sep 2024]
Little Chick [ACHUKA Book of the Day 5 Mar 2024]
The Star Whale [ACHUKA Book of the Day 19 Sep 2023]
The Perfect Present [ACHUKA Book of the Day 1 Sep 2022]
A Best Friend For Bear [ACHUKA Book of the Day 8 Apr 2022]
Mister Boo! [ACHUKA Book of the Day 28 May 2021]
The Last Tiger [ACHUKA Book of the Day 15 Oct 2019]

Look how many times we have selected books by Petr Horacek as our Book of the Day selection. That show how much we love his work. And here we have a sequel to last year’s original Blue Monster title. 

Don’t you just love the expressions in this opening spread?

When something HUGE comes clumping through the forest, all the animals are scared. But it’s only their friend, Blue Monster. Blue Monster is surprised – he doesn’t even know what it means to be scared and he asks the animals to teach him!

Fox, Wolf, Racoon and the Rabbits try lots of scary tricks but nothing scares Blue Monster. Then clever Fox has an idea…

Next time Blue Monster goes out he is all alone. He calls out for his friends but nobody replies. What’s happened to them? In his worry for his friends, now Blue Monster really is scared. But the animals have just been hiding and BOO!, they jump out, ready to play. 

Follow Petr Horácek on

The Last Day of October by Phil Hickes ill. Oriol Vidal

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 31 Oct 2025

Waterstones
Bookshop

See also:
The Vanishing Of Aveline Jones [ACHUKA Book of the Day 26 Oct 2022]
The Bewitching Of Aveline Jones [ACHUKA Book of the Day 15 Sep 2021]
The Haunting Of Aveline Jones [ACHUKA Book of the Day 16 Sep 2020]

“Hickes is at his ghostly, gothic best in this Halloween horror story in which the past bleeds into the present with terrifying results and is brought to vibrant, visceral life by the atmospheric and haunting illustrations of Oriol Vidal. Packed with eerie, electrifying small town America vibes, this is a spectacular spine-chiller from a master of the macabre.” Lancashire Post
“Halloween chills and thrills throng through this gripping haunted house horror story … what unfolds is an entirely unexpected tale that rises to a gripping, gasp-inducing climax … A treat of haunted Halloween trickery … brilliantly inclusive, and sure to satisfy swathes of spooky-story fans as the nights draw in.” LoveReading4Kids
“Only the genuinely brave youngster should be dipping their toes in this scare-fest.” LetterpressProject

 

If you go down to the woods today, you’re in for a nasty surprise …

Seeking creepy thrills instead of candy, Cody and his friends set out on Halloween to search for the ruins of the haunted McBride House in the woods near his home in Oregon.

The house has taken on a sinister legendary status after it burned down a hundred years ago with tragic consequences, and it’s said that the ghosts of the family who lived there return each year on the last day of October.

But when they find the house, the truth of what is happening on this eerie autumn night is more terrifying than the three teenagers could ever have imagined …

Follow Phil Hickes on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Phil Hickes (@philhickes)

Follow the book’s illustrator there too:

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Oriol Vidal (@oriol__vidal)

Fear Files: Hide and Seek by Christopher Edge

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 20 Oct 2025

Waterstones
Bookshop

See also:
Black Hole Cinema Club [ACHUKA Book of the Day 18 Apr 2024]

“At just 160 pages, this claustrophobic creep-fest is highly accessible and all scares are age-appropriate although the feeling of being watched and chased may last longer than the reading experience!” BookTrust
“Ideal for those more mature upper middle grade readers who are longing for something fresh and unique. They’ll never look at their childhood games the same way again!” ScopeForImagination
“With an ‘X-Files’ format of files from a mysterious archive, the story is dotted with clever little notes and factoids, and the story has Edge’s usual fast-paced style. It’s a great formula, and I suspect we’ll see many more trips to the mysterious ‘Darkive’ in the future!” Alastair Chisholm

The first title in a brand new middle-grade horror series by the bestselling author Christopher Edge.
Strapline: Goosebumps for a new generation of readers.

Coming to find you, ready or not!

Nobody knows who started the Darkive. It’s a database filled with first-hand accounts of strange, unexplained experiences. Ghosts; paranormal entities; weird anomalies. Each one is stored with a bank of evidence to prove the story. Are you ready to dive in?

Adam didn’t think his camping trip with his best friend, Sol, could get any worse. Stumbling upon an abandoned ghost town, they find themselves playing a strange game of hide and seek. But who or what is trying to find them? And can Adam stay one step ahead?

Follow the author on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by @christopheredge

The Wintermoor Lights – The Night House Files Book 2 by Dan Smith ill. Luke Brookes

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 14 Oct 2024

Waterstones
Bookshop

See also:
The Wall Between Us [ACHUKA Book of the Day 12 Jun 2023]
Nisha’s War [ACHUKA Book of the Day 3 Feb 2022]

Oh, man, the concept behind this series is choice! How did I let Book 1, The Deadsoul Project, slip by?

Being a big X-Files fan, you can imagine how excited I was to read the opening page description of The Night House Files:

Officially, the Night House does not exist. But it is real. It is an old and secret organisation that investigates the truth behind strange events around the world; events that include the paranormal, the extra-terrestrial and the bizarre. Events that governments do not want you to know about. The findings of these investigations are filed and kept safe by a mysterious person known only as the Nightwatchman. Once a year, the Nightwatchman delivers a file to me. My job is to turn the contents of the file into a story so that you can know the truth. That is the Nightwatchman’s wish, and I dare not disobey.
The following story is taken from File ET339: the Wintermoor Lights.
Everything you are about to read is true.

Quick! Turn the page—this reader is hooked already.

The names of people and places have been altered to protect the innocent.

What is happening to the children in Wintermoor? Secret organisation The Night House exposes the bone-chilling truth in this terrifying thriller from master of sci-fi Dan Smith.

Tara Fisher’s best friend Zoe is the first to see the lights over Wintermoor – and she’s never the same again. Soon more and more teenagers are affected and start behaving strangely, often appearing to be trapped in some kind of trance, while talking about being “chosen”. The adults dismiss what is happening as some kind of hoax or mass hysteria.

But will they finally listen when the kids start to disappear …?

Follow the author on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Dan Smith (@dansmithauthor)

Follow the illustrator there too and see some of the book’s artwork in this post:

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Luke Brookes (@lukebrookesart)

Gloam by Jack Mackay ill. Ben Joel Price

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 1 Sep 2025

Waterstones
Bookshop

“Mackay’s debut is well constructed, gripping audiences from the very first pages as the author explores grief, terror, and familial bonds. Richly detailed descriptions of characters and settings will immerse readers in the action. Readers will cheer on Gwen, who rises to the occasion despite terrifying situations. Characters’ race and ethnicities aren’t mentioned. Thrilling and chilling, with a standout protagonist.” KIRKUS 
“A deliciously dark, spine-chilling gothic horror, a thrilling, tension-filled and atmospheric story.” BookCraic
“Jack Mackay’s debut is a thoroughly chilling Gothic thriller that makes excellent use of the tropes of the genre while introducing some very distinct and memorable terrors.” BfK
“This is a terrifying book. The imagery of nightmares becoming real is definitely not for the faint-hearted.” SchoolReadingList
“A superb book for fans of gothic horror.” BookTrust

A BfK Q&A with the author…

Gwen doesn’t want to admit that everything feels wrong since her mum died. There’s no time for all these feelings now that she has her younger siblings to care for. Especially not since they’ve moved to their late grandmother’s house on Gloam Island.

And now there’s an intruder. Esme Laverne may seem sweet and kind but Gwen isn’t fooled by her new babysitter, even if everyone else is. It quickly becomes clear that if she wants Esme gone, she’ll have to handle it herself. 

Determined to protect her family, Gwen will have to fight off terrifying creatures and nightmares come to life. But as Esme’s power grows, Gwen must face everything she’s been running from and embrace her fears before she can defeat the monster in her home…for good. 

Follow the illustrator on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Ben Joel Price (@benjoelprice)

Follow the author on too:

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by ️️️️jack ⚜ (@jamackay_)

The Boy at the Window by Lucy Strange ill. Rohan Eason

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 18 Feb 2024

Waterstones
Bookshop

See also:
The Ghosts Of The Manor [ ACHUKA Book of the Day 26 Sep 2024] 
The River Spirit [ACHUKA Book of the Day 18 Jun 2024]
The Mermaid In The Millpond [ACHUKA Book of the Day 8 January 2022]
Sisters Of The Lost March [ACHUKA Book of the Day 7 Nov 2021]
Fledgling [ACHUKA Book of the Day 15 Nov 2021]

“What a perfect ghost story: atmospheric, eerie and haunting. The sense of foreboding is palpable and gives the story an unsettling feeling as the thick, lingering fog clings to the house.” BookCraic
“Seriously creepy with an utterly fantastic ending.” Fiona Sharp

Folk say the fog plays tricks — that it shapes itself into little hands and frightened faces that press at people’s doors and windows, desperate to come inside. But Hugo is convinced the ghost he has seen at the window is no trick of the fog. The boy’s hollow eyes are haunting him. What would happen if Hugo were to open the door and let him in? Brace yourselves for a chilling, wintery ghost story …

Follow Lucy Strange on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Lucy Strange (@thelucystrange)

You can also follow the book’s illustrator there — Rohan Eason illustrated the cover for Sam Leith’s The Haunted Wood.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Rohan Daniel Eason (@rohan.daniel.eason)

The Zombie Project by Alice Nuttall

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 17 Jan 2025

Waterstones
Bookshop

Barry Cunningham, the book’s publisher, writes: “I just loved this thrilling, dangerous and eco-aware story by debut writer Alice Nuttall. Really original, super relevant — and mega exciting!”
“An unmissable, one-of-a-kind zombie adventure for our time – a thought-provoking story of courage and determination, survival and hope, frights and horror … ” BookCraic
“This highly dystopian novel with an environmental slant is a thrilling, thought-provoking read, and will have readers on the edge of their seats.” BookTrust

This novel has such an enthralling opening chapter I can quite see why Barry Cunningham describes the book as “mega exciting”.

In a world without bees, death-flies are needed to grow food. But death-flies need bodies – lots of them. And bodies mean zombies.

Merian understands this, but others are afraid. Can one girl prove that zombies are the future?

An original idea that turns the usual zombie story on its head – save the zombies, don’t kill them!

You can follow Alice Nuttall on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Alice Nuttall (@alicenuttallbooks)

Bite Risk by S.J. Wills

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 8 Jun 2023

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

The first title in a new blockbuster teen horror series.
[The terrific cover is by a Spanish artist — Jose Real.]

When everyone’s a vicious beast, it’s hard to spot the monsters.

Sel Archer lives in a normal town with normal residents, except for one night a month . . . When the full moon comes out, almost all of the adults turn into werewolves, and it’s up to the young people to protect themselves from danger. But, as this quiet life begins to unravel, and the Turned start to escape, can Sel and his friends uncover exactly who – or what – is watching their every move, before it’s too late?

Follow the author on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by SJ Wills (@sjwillsauthor)

Ravencave by Marcus Sedgwick

By Leave a Comment

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

A grim discovery brings disturbing revelations in this chilling ghost story from the late Marcus Sedgwick.

While mucking about in the ruins of an old farm while on holiday in Yorkshire, James hears strange laughter echoing around the walls. The ghost of a young girl appears to him and urges James to follow her but at first he’s too afraid.

When she appears again, this time James follows.
But will he be able to face the terrible truth she reveals …?

Ghostlight by Kenneth Oppel

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 3 Nov 2022

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

“A spooktacular story that’s surprisingly insightful.” KIRKUS
“Ghostbusters meets Stranger Things…” Publishers Weekly

A fresh-and very scary-take on the ghost story.

Rebecca Strand was just sixteen when she and her father fell to their deaths from the top of the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse in 1839. Just how they fell-or were they pushed?-remains a mystery. And their ghosts haunt the lighthouse to this day …

Gabe tells this story every day when he gives the ghost tour on Toronto Island. He tries to make it scary enough to satisfy the tourists, but he doesn’t actually believe in ghosts – until he finds himself face to face with Rebecca Strand. The true story of her death is far more terrifying than any ghost tale Gabe has told. Rebecca reveals that her father was a member of the Order, a secret society devoted to protecting the world from ‘the wakeful and wicked dead’ – malevolent spirits like Viker, the ghost responsible for their deaths. But the Order has disappeared, and Viker’s ghost is growing ever stronger. Now Gabe and his friends must find a way to stop Viker before they all become lost souls …

Awards won by the author:

The Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature
The Michael L. Printz Honor Book Award
The Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award (x4)
The Vicky Metcalf Award for Children’s Literature
The Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award (x5)

Follow the author on Instagram: