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Scary Stories to Tell if You Dare
Then this book is for you. In this tribute to the creepiest kids books ever, you'll find 25 more tales from folklore, each with its own eerie illustration. Followed Home - A young woman's long, lonely walk home is interrupted by a silent, menacing presence. Something Wrong - When a young boy falls ill after a camping trip, the cause of his sickness is more terrifying than anyone could have imagined. The Shadow Man - A nighttime visitor haunts a young boy. Is it a bad dream, or all too real? These are just some of the terrifying tales you'll find in this collection. If you loved reading Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark as a kid (or if you're still a kid yourself), you'll love Scary Stories to Tell if You Dare .
65 pages, Paperback
Published September 27, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 17, 2021
The milk bottles 😲😱
October 10, 2024
Entertaining scary listening 🎵🎶
This kindle novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book one of three
A lot of quick scary short stories. It was not quite what I expected. We will try book two.
Give it a try it may work for you 2024
This kindle novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book one of three
A lot of quick scary short stories. It was not quite what I expected. We will try book two.
Give it a try it may work for you 2024
October 3, 2020
🙂good old-fashioned campfire stories
These are all short quick stories that are just right for some good old-fashioned campfire sharing of tall-tales and spooky ghost stories. 🙂great for kids and those that are kids at heart
These are all short quick stories that are just right for some good old-fashioned campfire sharing of tall-tales and spooky ghost stories. 🙂great for kids and those that are kids at heart
March 17, 2021
A series of book with scary, spooky, haunting tales! I really enjoyed reading them, though some scared the poop out of me. Haha.
These books are a tribute to Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Well, I can honestly tell you that this tribute is MILES better than the book it pays tribute to. See my review on Goodreads for that book. I just wasn’t a fan of those stories. I can tell you that slightly put me off from this one when I found out about them, but I decided to give it a shot because this was a tribute, written by someone else.
And indeed, good choice to me, because while these stories also featured some things I didn’t like in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (like sudden endings or weird crap happening without any idea what is going on), most of them scared the wits out of me. Well, with the exception of a few that just had me feeling very sad. A few stories were a recognisable, probably because I read them in other books or heard about them. One especially stood out, the clown in the basement. Haha, last year (or was it that year before, really COVID messes with my mind) I read a Dutch book about that same story. That one was way more worked out and if I had to pick between the story here or that book, I would go for the book.
The stories are all short, just a few pages each, but the author often manages to make it very creepy, spooky, or eerie. Some stories definitely had me looking around when I saw a shadow or thought I saw something move. Yes, I read this one during the late evening, so maybe not the brightest idea, but I thought since this one was a tribute… maybe it wouldn’t be scary. Haha, on the contrary, this author CAN write.
The stories feature dead moms searching for milk, black-eyed kids (NOPE), monsters that swoop in at night, killers (so many killers, really at times I just wanted ghosts back), blood, gore, revenge, scary ghosts, footprints, people standing in corners and staring at you in the night, eggs in things so thank you I won’t be eating things now, lost kids, pranks go wrong, clowns, hide and seek, and many many more things! We get stories from the past and the present and in-between. I loved the diversity in the stories and that you never knew what would be next!
The illustrations (if you would call them that) ranged from creepy to spooky to yawn and weird. Sometimes just made me laugh.
All in all, this is a series I would recommend. Spooky times are here!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
These books are a tribute to Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Well, I can honestly tell you that this tribute is MILES better than the book it pays tribute to. See my review on Goodreads for that book. I just wasn’t a fan of those stories. I can tell you that slightly put me off from this one when I found out about them, but I decided to give it a shot because this was a tribute, written by someone else.
And indeed, good choice to me, because while these stories also featured some things I didn’t like in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (like sudden endings or weird crap happening without any idea what is going on), most of them scared the wits out of me. Well, with the exception of a few that just had me feeling very sad. A few stories were a recognisable, probably because I read them in other books or heard about them. One especially stood out, the clown in the basement. Haha, last year (or was it that year before, really COVID messes with my mind) I read a Dutch book about that same story. That one was way more worked out and if I had to pick between the story here or that book, I would go for the book.
The stories are all short, just a few pages each, but the author often manages to make it very creepy, spooky, or eerie. Some stories definitely had me looking around when I saw a shadow or thought I saw something move. Yes, I read this one during the late evening, so maybe not the brightest idea, but I thought since this one was a tribute… maybe it wouldn’t be scary. Haha, on the contrary, this author CAN write.
The stories feature dead moms searching for milk, black-eyed kids (NOPE), monsters that swoop in at night, killers (so many killers, really at times I just wanted ghosts back), blood, gore, revenge, scary ghosts, footprints, people standing in corners and staring at you in the night, eggs in things so thank you I won’t be eating things now, lost kids, pranks go wrong, clowns, hide and seek, and many many more things! We get stories from the past and the present and in-between. I loved the diversity in the stories and that you never knew what would be next!
The illustrations (if you would call them that) ranged from creepy to spooky to yawn and weird. Sometimes just made me laugh.
All in all, this is a series I would recommend. Spooky times are here!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
November 17, 2023
Not scary..
October 18, 2025
4⭐️
Creepy, cute stories for spooky season. 🎃
Creepy, cute stories for spooky season. 🎃
January 5, 2019
Not very scary
My kids loved reading this book together. Spooky enough to be fun but not scary enough to keep them up.
My kids loved reading this book together. Spooky enough to be fun but not scary enough to keep them up.
March 23, 2020
Not Bad
I love stories like this but none of these really scared me. They were just very short stories. They weren't a miss but not a hit either
I love stories like this but none of these really scared me. They were just very short stories. They weren't a miss but not a hit either
Read
January 7, 2025Book Review: Scary Stories to Tell if You Dare by Joe Oliveto
In "Scary Stories to Tell if You Dare," Joe Oliveto presents a compelling collection of spooky, haunting tales that pay homage to the classic "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark." For fans of the original series, this tribute not only evokes nostalgia but also surpasses its predecessor in many ways, offering a fresh take on the eerie tales that have captivated audiences for generations.
Oliveto expertly crafts a diverse array of stories that effectively elicit feelings of fear and suspense. With themes ranging from dead mothers and black-eyed children to night monsters and ghostly apparitions, the collection delves into various elements of horror that keep readers on edge. Many of the stories, typically just a few pages in length, manage to convey a profound sense of creepiness and unease, proving that sometimes less is indeed more.
One of the most notable aspects of this collection is the variety of narratives that maintain a sense of unpredictability. The diverse themes and settings keep readers engaged, leaving them curious about what lurks around the next corner. Oliveto’s ability to evoke dread while also weaving in moments of sadness—such as familiar tales like "the clown in the basement," which some may find resonant—adds a compelling emotional layer to the anthology.
While the book does retain some of the issues found in its original inspiration, such as occasionally uneven pacing or familiar tropes, many tales shine with originality and effectively establish an unsettling atmosphere. The blend of the eerie and the poignant elevates certain stories, allowing readers to not just experience fear but also reflect on deeper themes of loss and fear itself.
The illustrations accompanying the text vary in quality, ranging from genuinely creepy to humorously whimsical. While this inconsistency may appeal to some, aiming for a cohesive visual style might have enhanced the overall experience.
Overall, "Scary Stories to Tell if You Dare" is a delightful read for those seeking spine-chilling tales that balance suspense with emotional depth. Joe Oliveto has crafted a tribute that resonates with both new readers and seasoned fans of the genre, successfully capturing the essence of what makes a story truly frightening. This collection comes highly recommended for anyone looking to dive into the world of spooky narratives—just be sure to keep a light on!
In "Scary Stories to Tell if You Dare," Joe Oliveto presents a compelling collection of spooky, haunting tales that pay homage to the classic "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark." For fans of the original series, this tribute not only evokes nostalgia but also surpasses its predecessor in many ways, offering a fresh take on the eerie tales that have captivated audiences for generations.
Oliveto expertly crafts a diverse array of stories that effectively elicit feelings of fear and suspense. With themes ranging from dead mothers and black-eyed children to night monsters and ghostly apparitions, the collection delves into various elements of horror that keep readers on edge. Many of the stories, typically just a few pages in length, manage to convey a profound sense of creepiness and unease, proving that sometimes less is indeed more.
One of the most notable aspects of this collection is the variety of narratives that maintain a sense of unpredictability. The diverse themes and settings keep readers engaged, leaving them curious about what lurks around the next corner. Oliveto’s ability to evoke dread while also weaving in moments of sadness—such as familiar tales like "the clown in the basement," which some may find resonant—adds a compelling emotional layer to the anthology.
While the book does retain some of the issues found in its original inspiration, such as occasionally uneven pacing or familiar tropes, many tales shine with originality and effectively establish an unsettling atmosphere. The blend of the eerie and the poignant elevates certain stories, allowing readers to not just experience fear but also reflect on deeper themes of loss and fear itself.
The illustrations accompanying the text vary in quality, ranging from genuinely creepy to humorously whimsical. While this inconsistency may appeal to some, aiming for a cohesive visual style might have enhanced the overall experience.
Overall, "Scary Stories to Tell if You Dare" is a delightful read for those seeking spine-chilling tales that balance suspense with emotional depth. Joe Oliveto has crafted a tribute that resonates with both new readers and seasoned fans of the genre, successfully capturing the essence of what makes a story truly frightening. This collection comes highly recommended for anyone looking to dive into the world of spooky narratives—just be sure to keep a light on!
January 21, 2025
A fun, creepy book that can be read in one sitting!! “Scary Stories To Tell If You Dare” is reminiscent of Alvin Schwartz’s “Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark”. This collection parallel the same themes and tropes of the stories in Schwartz’s collection while still being unique and standing in its own.
Some of my favorite stories included: “The Picture”, “Scratching Sounds”, “Under the Bed” and “Footsteps”. I also enjoyed how Oliveto’s writing style was formatted similarly to Schwartz—it brought back memories of nostalgia! I also loved the addition of the creepy illustrations.
I am excited to read the other collections by Oliveto!
Some of my favorite stories included: “The Picture”, “Scratching Sounds”, “Under the Bed” and “Footsteps”. I also enjoyed how Oliveto’s writing style was formatted similarly to Schwartz—it brought back memories of nostalgia! I also loved the addition of the creepy illustrations.
I am excited to read the other collections by Oliveto!
September 27, 2017
Could be considered a 4th entry
Most of the stories I've heard in one variation or another however thinking back to the original trilogy all the stories were retelling of old tales but without the internet most were new to me. So while I was reading this I went back to my childhood reading the books for the first time and started enjoying them more. They are simple and only a few pages each. Which if you write another, please try to include longer stories. Thank you for bringing back the love of my childhood
Most of the stories I've heard in one variation or another however thinking back to the original trilogy all the stories were retelling of old tales but without the internet most were new to me. So while I was reading this I went back to my childhood reading the books for the first time and started enjoying them more. They are simple and only a few pages each. Which if you write another, please try to include longer stories. Thank you for bringing back the love of my childhood
August 20, 2018
Never set my kindle down once.
Very entertaining. The stories are just enough to keep you interested. The stories are so good, that some actual had afterwards wondering if those in the stories are ok.
Very entertaining. The stories are just enough to keep you interested. The stories are so good, that some actual had afterwards wondering if those in the stories are ok.
February 4, 2019
I dared and I'm not disappointed
This book remineded me of the scary stories I would read when I was younger. Although this book says it's for children, I would not recommend it for younger readers due to some graphic nature. Overall, it was a good and quick read.
This book remineded me of the scary stories I would read when I was younger. Although this book says it's for children, I would not recommend it for younger readers due to some graphic nature. Overall, it was a good and quick read.
June 5, 2019
Not quite Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Caliber
Decent and familiar scary stories and folklore , but not quite up to the standard of the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Trilogy.
Decent and familiar scary stories and folklore , but not quite up to the standard of the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Trilogy.
August 14, 2019
I read this after watching Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, wanting something I haven't read before but was similar, and this didn't disappoint. Not quite as scary as I remember Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark being, but nice and creepy and definitely good conversation starters.
Read
August 11, 2020I got a little over 25% done before I decided this book isn't for me. Unlike the original series, majority of the stories lack atmosphere and dark humor. I might pick it back up though because I am slightly intrigued by the remaining titles. If I do, I will revise my review.
September 17, 2022
Great short spooky stories. I really enjoyed many of them, and loved the fact that at the end of the book it states where each story originated from. Whether it was urban legends, or personal experience, or events from the past.
October 18, 2023
Scary stories
Good job of keeping it simple and surprising! Worth the read! Looks like a children's book, but maybe teens and older. Adults who live ghost stories will get a kick out of it. I know I did!
Good job of keeping it simple and surprising! Worth the read! Looks like a children's book, but maybe teens and older. Adults who live ghost stories will get a kick out of it. I know I did!
March 24, 2025
A very mediocre tribute to Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark and as an anthology, it's okay. Some of the stories have a bit of pull and tug in them for the ideas but there's never a substantial payoff. Nothing that really grabs you by the throat.
January 31, 2019
Good stories
February 17, 2019
Good stories
Short but good old-fashioned scary stories .My big brother had told me some of them many years ago. Brought up some great memories. Enjoying sharing with the kids.
Short but good old-fashioned scary stories .My big brother had told me some of them many years ago. Brought up some great memories. Enjoying sharing with the kids.
April 7, 2020
Nothing beats the original but this comes pretty close.
June 28, 2020
my brother still talk about how these were the best to read to each other to get the other scared
Read
October 4, 2021amazing
January 14, 2022
Entertaining collection of tales
It was entertaining and interesting trip down memory lane. Reminded me a lot of the scary story books from the 80s.
It was entertaining and interesting trip down memory lane. Reminded me a lot of the scary story books from the 80s.
April 17, 2022
Fun scary stories from my childhood
I remember reading this as a kid I always loved these types of books. I read it again after so many years and still loved it
I remember reading this as a kid I always loved these types of books. I read it again after so many years and still loved it
January 26, 2024
Enjoyed this short collection stories that reminded me of my childhood days of reading the original scary stories series
December 10, 2024
Great Read
This was a great read of scary stories. Are they true? It's possible. You'll have to read and decide for yourself.
This was a great read of scary stories. Are they true? It's possible. You'll have to read and decide for yourself.
December 18, 2024
just like scary stories to tell in the dark!! loves it!
September 23, 2025
Fun scary books
I read this for a class and it was a fun read, it's great for older kids and young adults.
I read this for a class and it was a fun read, it's great for older kids and young adults.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews