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Content snapshot
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Violence
Some
Deaths, monsters, and horror-story violence; some stories are genuinely disturbing in content
Language
None
No profanity
Sexual Content
None
No sexual content
Substance Use
None
No substance use
Emotional Intensity
Some
The psychological impact of the horror-story form — and Gammell's terrifying illustrations — can create genuine fear in young readers; this is intentional but should be considered for sensitive children
What this book is about
Alvin Schwartz's classic children's horror collection draws on American folklore, urban legends, and ghost stories to create twenty-nine short horror pieces — some very short, some longer — designed to be shared aloud. The stories include classic jump-scare structures, genuine ghost horror, and some genuinely disturbing images (the famous illustrations by Stephen Gammell are arguably scarier than the text). Frequently banned; actually appropriate for the brave upper-elementary reader. A foundational American childhood horror experience.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
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