Tony Jones rounds up five new YA horror novels for August 2026. Cynthia Murphy’s Paint Me Like Your Dead Girls leads the pack as a top recommendation for schools, while Vincent Ralph’s Bleak Haven Quartet ends on a minor high. Melinda Salisbury and Jacqueline West deliver Folk Horror and small town chills.
The 100 Book Challenge has driven library borrowing to record levels, with horror emerging as the most popular genre among Year 7 pupils. In this second part of his series, school librarian Tony Jones shares the horror titles that genuinely terrify 11-12 year olds.
Tony Jones returns with his latest YA horror and middle grade horror roundup, covering seven books that blend horror with thriller, dystopian and science fiction. Standouts include Dan Smith’s The Night House Files, perfect for reluctant readers, and twisty YA thrillers from Carlyn Greenwald and Dana Mele.
Horror books for 10 year olds that pass the classroom test. Twenty middle grade picks from a librarian’s 100 Book Challenge, backed by real pupil reviews.
YA science fiction horror sits at the crossroads of dread and discovery. These aren’t just scary stories for teenagers. They’re nightmares wearing spacesuits.
“A dark teenage family drama for children which bleeds into an unsettling dream world”
YA and Middle Grade Horror March & April 2026: The Best New Scary Books for Teens … YA and Middle Grade Horror March & April 2026: The Best New Scary Books for TeensRead more
The best Middle Grade horror doesn’t just scare kids. It helps them process real pain. The … 2025 Middle Grade Bram Stoker Award Preliminary Ballot: Full Reviews & RatingsRead more
The 2025 YA Bram Stoker Award Preliminary Ballot: Every Book Ranked and Reviewed The 2025 YA … The 2025 YA Bram Stoker Award Preliminary Ballot: Every Book Ranked and ReviewedRead more
YA Horror Round-Up Jan/Feb 2026: Must-Read Thrills, Zombie Classics & LGBTQ+ Chills In an attempt to … YA Horror Round-Up Jan/Feb 2026: Must-Read Thrills, Zombie Classics & LGBTQ+ ChillsRead more
