It’s seared into my memory—the first time I saw the original cover of Alvin Schwartz’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. It was at a friend’s house, and she kept it hidden under the bed like a ghostly apparition appearing to whisper, “Do you want to see something creepy?”

Of course, I did.

Stephen Gammell’s nightmarish cover—a giant pipe-smoking skull emerging from a graveyard—was enough to send shivers up my young spine. And after cracking it open to find an eery black-and-white drawing of a boy discovering a big toe while digging in the garden? I was hooked.

From then on, sleepovers were spent sitting in darkness, shining a flashlight under our chins as we dared each other to read “The Dead Man’s Brains” or “The Girl Who Stood on a Grave.” Between readings, we’d summon our courage to look in the mirror and repeat “Bloody Mary” or flip to episodes of Are You Afraid of the Dark? on Nickelodeon.

For ‘90s kids, this fascination with all things ghastly wasn’t just a phase. It was part of a golden era of spine-tingling stories that still haunt us and bring on a nostalgia for the books that go bump in the night.

Take a dark trip down memory lane with these fun or frightening stories (many with redesigned covers) about haunted happenings and Halloween. Rediscover them on the Libby app from your library.

Goosebumps: Say Cheese and Die! by R. L Stine
🎧 Audiobook

With over 62 titles in the original Goosebumps series, R. L. Stine is the master of fright, striking that perfect combination of scary and fun. In this prequel to the HorrorLand series, Greg suspects something is wrong with the old camera he found when its photos show events before they happen, making him wonder if it can predict—or even create—the future.

The TV series premiered in 2023 on Hulu and Disney+.

RELATED READ: Love R. L. Stine and Goosebumps? Read these next.

In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories by Alvin Schwartz

Who could forget “The Girl with the Green Ribbon”? Apparently, we’re still not over it. For those who dare, relive the shocking ending in the love story between Jenny and Alfred and find a lot more terrifyingly good stories like “The Teeth,” “In A Dark, Dark Room,” and “The Ghost of John.”

The Baby-sitters Club: Dawn and the Halloween Mystery by Ann M. Martin

Everyone had a babysitter they idolized and I loved Dawn’s carefree California vibes. But in this one, that easy breezy attitude took a backseat as she witnesses a holdup and trick-or-treating is called off while the investigations are underway. She and the other members of the We Love Kids Club decide to catch the robber themselves.

This beloved series now includes graphic novels for a new generation to love. It was also remade into a TV series in 2020 on Netflix.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz
🎧 Audiobook

Remember this iconic anthology of horror tales for children? It now has updated cover art (an equally eerie screaming scarecrow?!). If you loved these alarming tales of dark revenge and supernatural events, there are two more books in the series you might’ve missed: More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and Scary Stories 3. You can also watch the recent movie version that was released in 2019.

The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat by Stan Berenstain

This heartwarming bear family was a childhood staple. Brother and Sister were always learning how to be good cubs, like in this Halloween tale of trick-or-treat where they learn that appearances can be deceiving. While not necessarily “scary,” it’s still a great book for the littlest goblins to celebrate the season.

My Teacher Is An Alien by Bruce Coville
🎧 Audiobook

The evil teacher trope is a popular one among kids of any generation. This first foray into sci-fi was a memorable hit as Susan and her classmate Peter stop their alien substitute teacher from carrying out his sinister plans before the entire sixth grade falls victim to his schemes.

The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene
🎧 Audiobook

The Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series was first published in the 1930s, but the teenage sleuth that solves crimes has inspired generations after her creation. I loved reading about the smart, savvy female protagonist in these mysteries—especially this one where Nancy investigates eerie happenings at a mansion.

Bunnicula by Deborah Howe
🎧 Audiobook

A vampire bunny with the tagline “Today vegetables... tomorrow the world”? Count me in at any age. This irresistible series made its first appearance in 1979, written from the perspective of Harold, the family dog, about what happened when a rabbit named Bunnicula arrived at the Monroe household.

The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
🎧 Audiobook

First published in 1990, this psychological thriller was about a teenager who sees her own face staring back at her from a missing children’s notice on the back of a milk carton. (This was before AMBER Alerts.) Are Mr. and Mrs. Johnson really her parents? And if not, what really happened? Read to find out, or refresh your memory!

*Title availability may vary by library & region.

If you haven’t been in awhile, check out your library for more feel-good nostalgia—you might be surprised by what you find!

RELATED READ: Our favorite classic and modern picture books