by Max Brallier
First published 2025
A child peers into a bathroom mirror and sees something unexpected staring back. Another young reader discovers that getting exactly what you wished for might not feel as wonderful as imagined. These five chilling tales target beginning readers who want their first independent books to deliver genuine scares alongside reading practice. Max Brallier crafts each story with simple vocabulary and short sentences that build reading confidence while creating authentic shivers. Full-color illustrations accompany every page, helping new readers decode the text while amplifying the spooky atmosphere. The collection balances accessible language with real frights, proving that beginner books can still pack emotional punch. Each story follows young characters facing supernatural situations that feel both fantastical and relatable to the target audience.
Genres: short-stories, horror, supernatural
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, suspenseful
Tropes: supernatural, young-characters
64 pages · Paperback · Scholastic Inc.