Middle grade books that are funny but frightening strike that perfect balance—where shivers and snickers dance together, and readers laugh even as they peek nervously over the page.

Night of the Living Cuddle Bunnies – Jonathan Rosen

Devin thinks his creepy neighbour is up to something — and he’s right: the man’s plush toy bunnies have come to life, and they’re hungry. Equal parts hilarious and horrifying.

The Mummy in the Attic – Mitch Mitchell

When Tom McNabb and his fearless best friend Stevie find a mummy in the attic, their quiet suburban life unravels into invisible chaos, ancient curses, and a spooky comedy of errors that proves bravery and laughter make a perfect pair.

The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street – Lindsay Currie

Tessa moves into a creepy old house where the lights flicker and drawings appear on their own — but her new friends (and snarky sense of humour) keep the chills fun instead of fatal.

The School for Good and Evil – Soman Chainani

Best friends Sophie and Agatha are swept into a twisted fairy-tale academy where villains and heroes are made — with equal parts dark humour and dazzling danger.

The Screaming Staircase (Lockwood & Co.) – Jonathan Stroud

A snarky team of teen ghost-hunters takes on London’s supernatural hauntings — with razor-sharp banter and spine-tingling scares.

The Graveyard Book – Neil Gaiman

Raised by ghosts after his family’s murder, Bod navigates graveyard life with gentle humour and gothic charm — spooky, sweet, and surprisingly funny.

Ghost Squad – Claribel A. Ortega

A pair of best friends accidentally summon a horde of playful spirits — and must undo the spell before the whole town joins the party.

The Witches – Roald Dahl

Wickedly funny and terrifying, Dahl’s classic pits one clever boy and his grandmother against a secret society of child-hating witches.

Fake Blood – Whitney Gardner

A shy comic-book geek pretends to be a vampire to impress his crush — only to discover she’s actually a vampire slayer. Hilarious chaos ensues.

Scary Stories for Young Foxes – Christian McKay Heidicker

A darkly funny, beautifully written collection of interlinked stories that are as creepy as they are clever — perfect for brave animal lovers.

Skulduggery Pleasant – Derek Landy

A wisecracking skeleton detective and his sharp teenage partner battle evil sorcerers — full of snappy dialogue, dark humour, and nonstop adventure.

Small Spaces – Katherine Arden

When a ghost story starts coming true, Ollie and her friends must escape the “smiling man.” Creepy? Yes. But Ollie’s dry wit keeps it wickedly fun.

Bunnicula – Deborah & James Howe

A family’s new pet rabbit might be a vampire — or maybe he just likes tomato juice. Either way, the family cat’s sarcastic commentary makes this gothic parody a delight.

The Curse of the Werepenguin – Allan Woodrow

Part gothic comedy, part monster mystery, this penguin-packed parody delivers creepy castles, kooky villains, and constant laughs.