Dare to Be Scared

Dare to Be Scared is a collection of thirteen horror stories for young readers by Robert D. San Souci, featuring illustrations by David Ouimet. Published in 2003, it marks the first installment in the four-book Dare to Be Scared series. The stories follow different young protagonists who encounter supernatural beings and face their fears in everyday settings. Characters meet vampires in hotels, confront werewolves in abandoned houses, and receive mysterious phone calls from beyond the grave. Each tale is concise and self-contained, building tension through familiar situations that turn sinister. The stories end with unexpected twists that leave readers wondering about what happens next. The collection explores themes of childhood fears, consequences of actions, and the thin line between reality and imagination. These stories speak to universal anxieties while remaining accessible to middle-grade readers.

Parents and young readers find these short horror stories effective for ages 8-12, with many noting they hit the right balance between scary and age-appropriate. Multiple reviews mention the stories are memorable years later, particularly "Cold As Clay" and "The Red Velvet Ribbon." Liked: - Quick reads that captivate reluctant readers - Detailed black and white illustrations enhance the spooky atmosphere - Stories build tension without relying on gore or violence - Works well as read-alouds for groups Disliked: - Some readers felt the endings were predictable - A few stories described as too mild for older kids - Several note the writing style is basic Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (286 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) Scholastic: 4/5 (42 ratings) "Perfect starter horror for kids who want scares but aren't ready for Goosebumps," wrote one parent reviewer on Amazon. "My students beg me to read these during October," noted a 4th grade teacher on Goodreads.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz Short horror tales drawn from folklore and urban legends create the same spine-tingling atmosphere found in San Souci's collection.

The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier A Victorian ghost story follows two siblings who work at a cursed manor house and encounter supernatural forces that prey on wishes.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman A boy raised by ghosts in a graveyard faces both human and supernatural threats as he grows up among the dead.

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn A twelve-year-old girl must protect her younger stepsister from a malevolent ghost who wants to claim her as a friend.

The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs An orphan moves to his uncle's house filled with dark magic and must stop a doomsday clock hidden in the walls.

🦇 Robert D. San Souci was a prolific author who wrote over 100 books, specializing in folklore, scary stories, and children's literature before his passing in 2014. 📚 The "Dare to Be Scared" series ultimately grew to include four books: "Dare to Be Scared," "Double-Dare to Be Scared," "Triple-Dare to Be Scared," and "Even More Dare to Be Scared." 🎨 Illustrator David Ouimet has also created artwork for major publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post, bringing his distinctive gothic style to children's literature. 👻 Many of the stories in the collection follow a pattern common in urban legends, where ordinary objects or situations (like phone calls or vacation spots) become sources of supernatural danger. 📖 The book helped establish a new wave of middle-grade horror in the early 2000s, following in the tradition of series like "Goosebumps" while offering slightly more sophisticated storytelling.