Fantasy/horror books for 10 year old girl

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My DNiece will be 10 soon and has asked for some fantasy/horror books for her birthday

I was a little bit taken aback but when I tried to get further details she just said that she wanted fantasy, horror, ‘chapter’ books

She is a strong reader but I don’t really want to get her anything too grown up or scary

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thank you

Margaret Mahy, The Haunting. Genuinely spooky but it’s a proper book for kids, not YA, and in my opinion a classic that everyone should read.

Thank you - I’ll have a look for that one

Do they still make Goosebumps? They were perfect for 10 year olds. Assuming this isn't too tame for what she's hoping for that is.

Point Horror were another I remember from back in the day, more 12-14 age I was reading those I think but definitely aimed at children/teens so not too scary/inappropriate for 10 year olds.

My daughter enjoys Sophie Anderson’s books - The House with Chicken Legs a scythe following books.

Diana Wynne Jones’ books would be good for her age - try the Chrestomanci series, or Howl’s Moving Castle.

Robin McKinley’s children’s/ YA fantasy books would be suitable for her age - try Beauty, The Blue Sword, The Hero and the Crown, and Dragonhaven. Not Deerskin or Sunshine, as those are books for adults and are not suitable for children.

My son loved the Skullduggery Pleasant books by Derek Landy at that age.

How about some of the old Point Horror books on EBay or second hand from Amazon? I think you can also get them via Kindle, if she has one.

Seconding Diana Wynne Jones, the Time of the Ghost is chilling without being age inappropriate, as is Homeward Bounders. The Chrestomanci series is lovely but more fantasy than horror.

These all sound great thank you - fantasy/horror is not really my genre so grateful for all the suggestions

I second the Goosebumps series - my DD loved these around 10-11.

My suggestions were all fantasy, but I’d add The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, which is fantasy/ horror.

The Point Horror books suggested above were aimed at teenagers, so would probably not be suitable for a ten year old.

I loved fantasy and scary books - wouldn’t call them horror - at that age.
Definitely Diana Wynne Jones
The Dark is Rising
Marianne Dreams - I found it quite scary as a child!
Charlotte Sometimes - sort of fantasy in that there is a time travel element
When Marnie Was There
Children of Green Knowe - might be a bit young for her but I have loved reading it throughout my life

Northern Lights - Philip pullman, quite a dark fantasy, but with a kick ass girl as a lead.

Can I just hijack for a second and ask what these are like? My DD's teacher recommended them last year and DD was really keen, but she's a bit sensitive so I'm not sure if they'll suit her! She was a bit grossed out/upset by some parts of the later HP books but with other bits she was absolutely fine. We read the last one when she was 8 and she's now 9.5.

Is Skullduggery Pleasant actually scary? Or especially violent? I was going to read the first one and see, but what I think is OK she might not!

Jennifer Killick’s Dread Wood series.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09R9W5SJQ?binding=kindle_edition&qid=1699802836&sr=8-1&ref=dbs_dp_awt_sb_pc_tukn

Try 'Cirque du Freak' by Darren Shan.

It's the first in a series of books (called 'The Saga of Darren Shan') about a boy who becomes a vampire's assistant.

I read them at around 10/11 and was absolutely gripped. I still have then on my bookshelf now. They are a bit gruesome but in the kind of way that a 10 year old can deal with, a bit like Goosebumps etc.

There's also a movie of it called 'The Vampire's Assistant' but it's nowhere near as good.

These are all great suggestions - I’m hoping to go into a real life bookshop this week so will make a list and check them out - thanks again

They are a bit like HP in that they grow more adult/teenage in content as Stephanie, the lead character, gets older. I read the first one ahead of letting DS start reading them as I think Amazon flags them as 11 years + but certainly the first 3 or 4 at least are fine for a 9 - 10 year old (IMO).

Coraline by Neil Gaiman as well, my daughter just read that and The Graveyard Book.

The Spooks Apprentice would fit the bill as well.

A Series of Unfortunate Events?