I loved Goosebumps growing up. They were page-turners that got me reading multiple books each and every week. I would be excited to go to the library and check out any Goosebumps books that I had not read yet. There weren’t many left. And to this day, they still hold fond memories in my head.
Additional Info: At the height of the original Goosebumps series’ popularity, Scholastic was selling 4 million copies per month. In recent years the comedy-horror genre has grown in traction again in the middle grade (ages 8–12) book market, with a new run of Goosebumps books printed alongside a wave of modern alternatives. (Source: BookTrust)
Luckily, there are modern Goosebumps alternatives that bring the same magic to a new audience. While many Goosebumps books still hold up today, some of the words used and the technology available will seem outdated or confusing to a new generation. With that in mind, here are my top 3 modern goosebumps books alternatives that your kids will love.
Stine has been referred to as the ‘Stephen King of children’s literature’.
WIKIPEDIA
Designed for 9-12 year olds, this is a modern take on Goosebumps books with more mystery and technology added in. Kids know a lot more about computers and technology than I ever did growing up. The new Fearvoid series looks to create fun modern stories that will get children hooked on reading. The chapters are short and punchy with cliffhangers, twists and turns throughout. They’ll have kids flying through chapters to find out what happens next. Do Not Answer also has a lot of humor thrown in for good measure. Designed to be read by both boys and girls.
2. Ghoul School
Ghoul School is full of funny and interesting stories. These are chapter books – designed to help kids read more. If you don’t know what Chapter Books are, they are simply books that have illustrations inserted throughout the book. This breaks up the text, and also helps build interest with more visual learners. These books are especially good if your child is struggling with learning to read. Designed for young boy readers.
This is another chapter book that kids will love. It’s a fun read that’s set in a monster apocalypse. Kids who dream of starring in their own comic book will love the story and art in these books. The heroes will face zombies, winged beasts and many other spooky monsters. Designed for young boy readers.
Modern Goosebumps Books Alternatives
Goosebumps books are all designed to make young readers want to read more. They are simple to read, have short sentences and chapters, and lots of humor and spooky moments thrown in. Each of the books above fits into this category. You can read samples of the book for free on Amazon to see which one would be best for your child.
Once a reader has moved through these and is ready for more complex YA mysteries, they should check out our 5 best murder mysteries for teens and young adults. For mystery TV shows aimed at the same age group, we have our top 5 teen mystery shows to binge watch. For a full list of mystery entertainment for all ages, check out our best murder mystery entertainment guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age are these books for?
All of these book are for readers aged 8 to 12 – the same core Goosebumps age range. They are still enjoyed by young adults, and even much older adults, but they were written with a younger audience in mind.
How scary are these compared to Goosebumps?
The Goosebumps books ranged in their fear rating. Some were super simple and resolved the story with a safe ending, while others were darker and left things ope-ended. I’d say these books all fit within the middle of these 2 extremes, so on equal footing with Goosebumps as a series.
Is the original Goosebumps series still worth reading?
Yes. R.L. Stine’s series is one of the most successful children’s publishing projects in history for a reason. While some of the words characters used are outdated and some of the books might contain things that a younger audience might not understand (a camera that uses film, the absense of mobile phones, etc.), the stories themselves are still interesting and relatable.
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