The Restless Dead: Ten Original Stories of the Supernatural cover

The Restless Dead: Ten Original Stories of the Supernatural

Author: Noyes, Deborah

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Upper Grades (UG 9-12)
Book Level 5.1
Points 8.0
Fiction/Nonfiction Fiction
Word Count 52217
Points per Word 0.000153
Page Count 253
Points per Page 0.031621

Description

This book is a collection of ten horror stories edited by Deborah Noyes and written by authors such as Holly Black, Libba Bray, Herbie Brennan, and Marcus Sedgwick.

Quick Summary

If you're into ghost stories with actual literary chops, this one's for you. Deborah Noyes gathered ten different authors including heavy hitters like Holly Black, Libba Bray, and Marcus Sedgwick and each one brings their own flavor to the table, so you get ten completely different vibes: some stories are creepy and atmospheric, others lean into dark humor, and a few hit you right in the gut emotionally. The AR level sits at 5.1, but honestly the writing is sophisticated enough that older teens and even adults will find plenty to enjoy, which makes this a rare ghost story collection that works for family reading or book club discussions. What I love is that each tale has its own distinct personality one might be about a haunted lighthouse, another about a cursed object passed down through generations so there's always something fresh around the corner. This would be perfect for kids who devour spooky podcasts or YouTube horror channels and want that same unsettling-but-thoughtful atmosphere in book form. A quick content note: some stories get genuinely creepy with mild body horror and existential dread, so if your kid is sensitive, maybe read alongside them, but for teens who enjoy being a little spooked, it's absolutely appropriate. If you've already read "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" and want something with more depth and variety, this is the natural next step.