There is nothing like a great ghost story. I’ve always loved ghost stories as a kid—even when it meant that I would be scared going to sleep at night. Every shadow was the boogey man and I just knew that there was something outside my window wanting to get me.

My middle grade novel, Ghost Summer, is based on a story that I heard growing up. It’s the novel that snagged me an agent and hopefully when I’m finished with my current novel, I can go back and revise it so it can find a publishing home.

So I thought I would share my favorite ghost stories.

Breathe by Cliff McNish. Jack and his mother move to an old house—you know what that means.Jack starts to see ghosts. But there is also another sinister presence—a dark spirit the other ghosts are afraid of—and now that spirit wants Jack. Okay, this is a great ghost story with a different twist. Just the chapter titled the Nightmare Passage is worth the money of this book.






Jade Green by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Orphan Judith is still reeling from the death of her mother. Sent to live with her Uncle—he gives her one rule: Do NOT bring anything green into the house. Of course, Judith has a picture of her mother in a green silk frame—she can’t part with it—uh oh, a powerful force is unleashed. I loved this story because it is set in a historical past—but the ghost story itself is creepy, which is a good thing.




Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn. A good one from the Queen of ghost stories. Molly and Michael are trying to get used to their new mixed family. It would be great if their step-sister wasn’t such a brat. After moving to a renovated church during the summer, Heather has a found a new friend—out in the graveyard. Yeah, you see the set-up. This is one of my favorites from Hahn because of the family dynamics. But really any ghost story by Hahn is good—this is her niche.




A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb. I LOVE this book. Written in a beautiful language, it centers around Helen who has wandered alone as a spirit until a boy sees her. James is a spirit in the boy’s body and he convinces Helen to possess a girl body so that they can be together. They must deal with their own secrets as well as the teens whose bodies they currently possess. The ending of this book will have you holding your breath—a great read.






The Ghost Belonged to Me by Richard Peck. I love this classic by Peck. The story centers around Alexander who sees a strange light coming out of the barn. When he sees the ghost of a drowned girl, she warns him of a catastrophe and Alexander must find a way to stop it. One of the things that make this ghost story fun is the humor.






I’m always on the lookout for creepy ghost stories. This is one genre that I think will always be in style. Kids and teens loved to be scared. I love it too.