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Half-Minute Horrors
How scared can you get in only 30 seconds?
Dare to find out!
Dive into the shortest, scariest, spine-tinglers, hair-raisers, and eye-poppers ever created.
These instant thrills come from astounding talents, including Lemony Snicket, James Patterson, Neil Gaiman, R.L. Stine, Holly Black, Brett Helquist, and many more. You’ll never look at your closest door, your cat, your sock drawer, or even yourself in the mirror the same way again.
Dare to find out!
Dive into the shortest, scariest, spine-tinglers, hair-raisers, and eye-poppers ever created.
These instant thrills come from astounding talents, including Lemony Snicket, James Patterson, Neil Gaiman, R.L. Stine, Holly Black, Brett Helquist, and many more. You’ll never look at your closest door, your cat, your sock drawer, or even yourself in the mirror the same way again.
141 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2009
88 people are currently reading
4716 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 487 reviews
August 6, 2025
Looking for a few scary stories for your tiny horror aficionado?
This was a book my 9 year old little girl picked up at the library on the recommendation of the children's librarian. I had explained that she loved the spooky stuff, didn't scare easily, and my only request was that the book be length appropriate (<--in other words, not some 600 page monster). So, after a few minutes of thinking, she found a few books that she thought would fit the bill, and let my daughter look them over.
Half-Minute Horrors was the winner.
Ok, now I didn't read this whole thing, but my kid did. Which is always a good sign, you know?
I did, however, pick it up and flip through it a bit.*
The first one I came across was Allen Stratton's There's Something Under the Bed.
Here's what it says:
"There's something under the bed."
"Don't be silly. You're a big boy now," his father said, and turned out the light.
"But there is! Daddy, look!"
So his father got down in the dark beside the bed.
And disappeared.
"Daddy?...Where are you, Daddy?"
A gentle chuckle. "I'm under the bed."
"You sound different."
"Do I?"
"Yes. Very different. ... Are you really Daddy?"
"Why don't you come under the bed and find out?"
OHMYGOD.
If I were 9? I would have pissed my pants after reading that. Ok, might have peed a little even though I'm an adult.
At any rate, you can see why it's called Half-Minute Horrors. Each story is only a page or two long, and some are in graphic novel format. <--BONUS!
I wouldn't recommend this for a child that isn't 100% into the scary stuff because there aren't many happy endings for anyone but the monsters. And nobody wants their kid crawling in bed with them for the next 6 months because they're convinced that something is going to eat them in the middle of the night.
BUT.
For those of you with a bloodthirsty little demon of your own at home, you may want to check this one out.
As for me, I think I should probably to go check under my bed one more time...
*makes husband check under our bed*
*Edit:
Curiosity got the better of me, and I ended up reading every story in the book almost as soon as I finished this review. It was a fast and dirty read for sure, but the vast majority of the stories in here were worth it. I was shocked at the big names who contributed to this sucker. Lemony Snicket, James Patterson, Neil Gaiman, R.L. Stine, Holly Black, Brett Helquist, and Margaret Atwood...to name a few.
This was a book my 9 year old little girl picked up at the library on the recommendation of the children's librarian. I had explained that she loved the spooky stuff, didn't scare easily, and my only request was that the book be length appropriate (<--in other words, not some 600 page monster). So, after a few minutes of thinking, she found a few books that she thought would fit the bill, and let my daughter look them over.
Half-Minute Horrors was the winner.
Ok, now I didn't read this whole thing, but my kid did. Which is always a good sign, you know?
I did, however, pick it up and flip through it a bit.*
The first one I came across was Allen Stratton's There's Something Under the Bed.
Here's what it says:
"There's something under the bed."
"Don't be silly. You're a big boy now," his father said, and turned out the light.
"But there is! Daddy, look!"
So his father got down in the dark beside the bed.
And disappeared.
"Daddy?...Where are you, Daddy?"
A gentle chuckle. "I'm under the bed."
"You sound different."
"Do I?"
"Yes. Very different. ... Are you really Daddy?"
"Why don't you come under the bed and find out?"
OHMYGOD.
If I were 9? I would have pissed my pants after reading that. Ok, might have peed a little even though I'm an adult.
At any rate, you can see why it's called Half-Minute Horrors. Each story is only a page or two long, and some are in graphic novel format. <--BONUS!
I wouldn't recommend this for a child that isn't 100% into the scary stuff because there aren't many happy endings for anyone but the monsters. And nobody wants their kid crawling in bed with them for the next 6 months because they're convinced that something is going to eat them in the middle of the night.
BUT.
For those of you with a bloodthirsty little demon of your own at home, you may want to check this one out.
As for me, I think I should probably to go check under my bed one more time...
*makes husband check under our bed*
*Edit:
Curiosity got the better of me, and I ended up reading every story in the book almost as soon as I finished this review. It was a fast and dirty read for sure, but the vast majority of the stories in here were worth it. I was shocked at the big names who contributed to this sucker. Lemony Snicket, James Patterson, Neil Gaiman, R.L. Stine, Holly Black, Brett Helquist, and Margaret Atwood...to name a few.
March 14, 2019
3.7 stars. Some stories are seriously creepy, some are morbidly funny. And some are... meh... as so often with anthologies. The redeeming quality of the mediocre ones is that they are as short as all the others.
October 13, 2017
This is a cute collection of very short spooky tales, mostly meant for children. Some of the stories are contributions by very well-known authors such as Neil Gaiman, Philip Pullman, Lemony Snicket etc. Some stories are told through poems, others as short stories, and others as peoms.
I must say that I preferred the comics because they were most atmospheric. Many of the stories ended too abruptly, even for short stories and I was often left thinking "So?!" because there was just something missing and so I wasn't creeped out at all.
True, at least one story here didn't even aim for creepiness as far as I can tell, but for hilarity instead:
Some stories proved that you don't need long stories to give great accounts and create atmospheric setting, while others just didn't reach.
My favourite stories were The Goblin Book because it's the perfect story for any bookworm, Theres Something Under the Bed because that is the classic and very spooky scenario, as well The Doll and Deep Six because I'm always up for some Schadenfreude and some people just deserve punishment.
I must say that I preferred the comics because they were most atmospheric. Many of the stories ended too abruptly, even for short stories and I was often left thinking "So?!" because there was just something missing and so I wasn't creeped out at all.
True, at least one story here didn't even aim for creepiness as far as I can tell, but for hilarity instead:
Some stories proved that you don't need long stories to give great accounts and create atmospheric setting, while others just didn't reach.
My favourite stories were The Goblin Book because it's the perfect story for any bookworm, Theres Something Under the Bed because that is the classic and very spooky scenario, as well The Doll and Deep Six because I'm always up for some Schadenfreude and some people just deserve punishment.
November 6, 2023
Absolutely brilliant. I’m an adult and some of these stories made me stay awake at night 😳
October 22, 2010
Pseudonymous Bosch
Neil Gaiman
Lemony Snicket
Gail Carson Levine
Brett Helquist
I could go on forever...
So, I'm not huge on horror. Most of these stories I didn't find very horrifying... But some of my favorite authors were working on it so I just had to get it! I discovered some short, bizarre stories, none of which too scary to me, but nonetheless frightening for children under the age of ten. Except for the biscuit one.. I really didn't understand that...
Fine, I'm a huge Pseudonymous Bosch fan and I had to get this book for his 3/4 of a page story. It was about flying mustaches. I laughed deliriously.
My point is, if you have a favorite author writing a little story on this, buy it! I was pleasantly surprised to find a few authors I admired working on this.
Recommended for sleepovers at one in the morning on Halloween night. :)
Neil Gaiman
Lemony Snicket
Gail Carson Levine
Brett Helquist
I could go on forever...
So, I'm not huge on horror. Most of these stories I didn't find very horrifying... But some of my favorite authors were working on it so I just had to get it! I discovered some short, bizarre stories, none of which too scary to me, but nonetheless frightening for children under the age of ten. Except for the biscuit one.. I really didn't understand that...
Fine, I'm a huge Pseudonymous Bosch fan and I had to get this book for his 3/4 of a page story. It was about flying mustaches. I laughed deliriously.
My point is, if you have a favorite author writing a little story on this, buy it! I was pleasantly surprised to find a few authors I admired working on this.
Recommended for sleepovers at one in the morning on Halloween night. :)
September 10, 2018
EXCERPT: '.....you ought to know about the man who watches you when you sleep.
He is a quiet man, which is why you don't know about him. You don’t know how he gets into your home, or how he finds his way to the room in which you sleep. You don’t know how he can stare at you so long without blinking, and you don't know how he manages to be gone by morning, without a trace, and you don't know where he purchased the long sharp knife, curved like a crescent moon, that he holds in his left hand, sometimes just millimeters from your eyes, which are closed and flickering in dream.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: How scared can you get in only 30 seconds?
Dare to find out!
Dive into the shortest, scariest, spine-tinglers, hair-raisers, and eye-poppers ever created.
MY THOUGHTS: It is September, and any day now, Halloween merchandise will be hitting the shelves, if it hasn't done so already. This is an ideal pick for the young bookworms in your lives. The stories are 30 seconds long. . . Some even shorter. There are stories, graphic stories, poems and even a limerick.
I bought this for my grandson some years ago, and found it on his bookshelf today when I was looking for something else. So I picked it up and read it (out in the bright sunlight) and enjoyed it all over again.
WARNING: You’ll never look at your closet door, your cat, your sock drawer, or even yourself in the mirror the same way again.
😱😱😱😱
THE AUTHOR: These instant thrills come from astounding talents, including Lemony Snicket, James Patterson, Neil Gaiman, R.L. Stine, Holly Black, Brett Helquist, and many more.
DISCLOSURE: Although I purchased this book, it belongs to my grandson and fellow bookworm, Kayden Webby, who is in the process of setting up his own book blog.
All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
He is a quiet man, which is why you don't know about him. You don’t know how he gets into your home, or how he finds his way to the room in which you sleep. You don’t know how he can stare at you so long without blinking, and you don't know how he manages to be gone by morning, without a trace, and you don't know where he purchased the long sharp knife, curved like a crescent moon, that he holds in his left hand, sometimes just millimeters from your eyes, which are closed and flickering in dream.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: How scared can you get in only 30 seconds?
Dare to find out!
Dive into the shortest, scariest, spine-tinglers, hair-raisers, and eye-poppers ever created.
MY THOUGHTS: It is September, and any day now, Halloween merchandise will be hitting the shelves, if it hasn't done so already. This is an ideal pick for the young bookworms in your lives. The stories are 30 seconds long. . . Some even shorter. There are stories, graphic stories, poems and even a limerick.
I bought this for my grandson some years ago, and found it on his bookshelf today when I was looking for something else. So I picked it up and read it (out in the bright sunlight) and enjoyed it all over again.
WARNING: You’ll never look at your closet door, your cat, your sock drawer, or even yourself in the mirror the same way again.
😱😱😱😱
THE AUTHOR: These instant thrills come from astounding talents, including Lemony Snicket, James Patterson, Neil Gaiman, R.L. Stine, Holly Black, Brett Helquist, and many more.
DISCLOSURE: Although I purchased this book, it belongs to my grandson and fellow bookworm, Kayden Webby, who is in the process of setting up his own book blog.
All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
January 14, 2011
The best description of this short book is in its index. For example:
Basements/cellars, 49, 82
Beds, under and around, 4, 49, 68, 85, 89, 94
Blood, 33, 72, 106, 112, 119
Body parts, dismembered, 33, 49, 91, 116
Body parts, unexpected, 24, 50, 102, 117
Dismemberment, 1, 39, 49, 83
Doom, 19, 57, 80, 87, 104, 109
Doors, 7, 12, 14, 17, 19, 20, 26, 40, 44, 49, 57, 59, 70, 75
Fingers/fingernails/hands, 1, 21, 24, 39, 49, 72, 102
Food, 48, 56, 65, 95
Mirrors, 7, 10, 72, 98
Moans, 59, 123
Monsters, 5, 27, 72, 75, 85, 125
What fun!!!
Basements/cellars, 49, 82
Beds, under and around, 4, 49, 68, 85, 89, 94
Blood, 33, 72, 106, 112, 119
Body parts, dismembered, 33, 49, 91, 116
Body parts, unexpected, 24, 50, 102, 117
Dismemberment, 1, 39, 49, 83
Doom, 19, 57, 80, 87, 104, 109
Doors, 7, 12, 14, 17, 19, 20, 26, 40, 44, 49, 57, 59, 70, 75
Fingers/fingernails/hands, 1, 21, 24, 39, 49, 72, 102
Food, 48, 56, 65, 95
Mirrors, 7, 10, 72, 98
Moans, 59, 123
Monsters, 5, 27, 72, 75, 85, 125
What fun!!!
February 16, 2011
One day, I was at the library with a friend and I saw this book on the shelf. Just laying there, waiting to be picked up. And, upon picking it up, there was absolutely no contemplation on whether or not I should read it. This is probably the best short story book I've read since Jon Scieszca's Guys Write for Guys Read, which I recommend to anyone of the male category. It took one night to read and, it was so good that I put off eating dinner for a whole five minutes before putting it down. And, it take's a lot for me to not want to eat, even for a short time.
This book was pure entertainment. I had a lot of fun reading it, not putting it down (Except for dinner) until I was finished. Some of the short stories were creepy, some hilarious, some you had to think about it for a while before you understood it's creepiness or hilarity. After the book was finished, I would keep going back to read a story here and there that I couldn't get out of my head. And after I returned it to the library, there were certain stories that I kept thinking that would have been so good in novel form.
A lot of my favorite authors contributed to this book. Joseph Delaney, Lemony Snicket, Pseudonymous Bosch, Jon Scieszka. It was a lot of fun a read things that weren't related to their other works (with the exception of Mr. Delaney) and that were sometimes written in complete different styles as their novels.
I greatly liked this book and, in case you guys haven't noticed yet, I obviously have a better opinion in books then anyone else here (Yeah, I know, I'm pretty awesome) so follow my advice. Read this book. It's pretty good.
Read it or I will eat your friggen' soul.
Austin
http://ReadingTeen.net/
This book was pure entertainment. I had a lot of fun reading it, not putting it down (Except for dinner) until I was finished. Some of the short stories were creepy, some hilarious, some you had to think about it for a while before you understood it's creepiness or hilarity. After the book was finished, I would keep going back to read a story here and there that I couldn't get out of my head. And after I returned it to the library, there were certain stories that I kept thinking that would have been so good in novel form.
A lot of my favorite authors contributed to this book. Joseph Delaney, Lemony Snicket, Pseudonymous Bosch, Jon Scieszka. It was a lot of fun a read things that weren't related to their other works (with the exception of Mr. Delaney) and that were sometimes written in complete different styles as their novels.
I greatly liked this book and, in case you guys haven't noticed yet, I obviously have a better opinion in books then anyone else here (Yeah, I know, I'm pretty awesome) so follow my advice. Read this book. It's pretty good.
Read it or I will eat your friggen' soul.
Austin
http://ReadingTeen.net/
March 30, 2019
Missing fingers, werewolves and monsters under the bed!!! What a fun, cozy read with Goosebumps and Are you afraid of the dark vibes!!!
This is an anthology of short horror stories for kids, but still enjoyable as an adult (I grew up reading R. L. Stine, so I guess that counts ahah)... I was surprised to read names like Libba Bray, Neil Gaiman and even Margaret Atwood among the authors!!
The stories were funny and cute, some of them are illustrated or told as comics. My favourite were:
Mr Black by Y. Prinz
One of a Kind by S. Weeks
Chocolate Cake by F. Prose
There's Something under the Bed by A. Stratton
skittering by T. T. Sutherland
These would surely have given me the chills when I was a kid! Fun read! 👻
This is an anthology of short horror stories for kids, but still enjoyable as an adult (I grew up reading R. L. Stine, so I guess that counts ahah)... I was surprised to read names like Libba Bray, Neil Gaiman and even Margaret Atwood among the authors!!
The stories were funny and cute, some of them are illustrated or told as comics. My favourite were:
Mr Black by Y. Prinz
One of a Kind by S. Weeks
Chocolate Cake by F. Prose
There's Something under the Bed by A. Stratton
skittering by T. T. Sutherland
These would surely have given me the chills when I was a kid! Fun read! 👻
February 22, 2019
So I just finished "Half-minute horror" and it was okayish.
Rating: 1.5/5 🌟
This is an anthology consisting of literally half minute kinda horror short stories. It contain 72 short stories.
1= Something you ought to know by Lemony Snicket: 2/5 🌟
2= The chicken or the egg by Jerry Spinelli: 1/5 🌟
3= In hiding by Kenneth Oppel: 1/5🌟
4= The old man in the picture by Richard Sala: 3/5 🌟
5= The babysitter by Erin Hunter: 1/5 🌟
6= Grand entrance by James Patterson: 1/5 🌟
7= Halloween mask by Sonya Sones: 1/5 🌟
8= Tenton by Tom Genrich & Michele Perry: 3/5 🌟
9= Nanny by Angela Johnson: 2/5 🌟
10= The legend of Alexandra & Rose by Jon Klassen: 1/5 🌟
11= What's coming by Arthur Slade: 1/5 🌟
12= An easy gig by M.T. Anderson= 4/5 🌟
13= Mr. Black by Yvonne Prinz: 1/5 🌟
14= The foot dragger by M.E. Kerr: 2/5 🌟
15= Trick by Adam Rex: 3/5 🌟
16= Hank by Dean Lorey: 1.5/5 🌟
17= One of a kind by Sarah Weeks: 4/5 🌟
18= A walk too far by Gloria Whelan: 1/5 🌟
19= A very short story by Holly Black: 2.5/5 🌟
20= Deep six by Faye Kellerman: 1.5/5 🌟
21= The turn of the screw, by Henry James told by Lisa Gardner: 1/5 🌟
22= The attack of the flying mustaches by Pseudonymous Bosch: 1/5 🌟
23= Takowanda by Nadia Aguiar: 1/5 🌟
24= Heart stopper by Sienna Mercer: 1/5 🌟
25= Up to my elbow by Jack Gantos: 1.5/5 🌟
26= Four gleams in the moonlight by Stephen Marche: 2/5 star
27= The goblin book by Brad Meltzer: 1.5/5 🌟
28= Worms by Lane Smith: 1/5 star
29= The dare by Carol Gorman: 1/5 🌟
30= The ballad of John Grepsy by David Rich: 1/5 🌟
31= Soup by Jenny Nimmo: 1/5 🌟
32= The creeping hand by Margaret Atwood: 1/5 🌟
33= Wet sand, little teeth by Mariko Tamaki: 2/5 🌟
34= A thousand faces by Brian Selznick: 1/5 🌟
35= Chocolate cake by Francine Prose: 1/5 🌟
36= At the water's edge by Ayelet Waldman: 1/5 🌟
37= My worst nightmare by R.L. Stine: 1/5 🌟
38= The beast outside by Adele Griffin: 1/5 🌟
39= Unannounced by Aliza Kellerman: 3.5/5 🌟
40= Kruger's sausage haus by Mark Crilley: 2/5 🌟
41= There's something under the bed by Allan Stratton: 1/5 🌟
42= Cat's paw by Sarah L. Tomson: 1/5 🌟
43= Horrorku by Katherine Applegate: 1/5 🌟
44= The itch by AVI: 2/5 🌟
45= The new me: A phantoum by Gail Crason Levine: 1/5 🌟
46= Always eleven by David Stahler JR.: 2/5 🌟
47= Aloft by Carson Ellis: 1/5 🌟
48= Skittering by Tui T. Sutherland: 3/5 🌟
49= Stuck in the middle by Abi Slone: 1/5 🌟
50= All fingers and thumbs! By Joseph Delaney: 4/5 🌟
52= Don't wet the bed by Alan Gratz: 2/5 🌟
53= The final word by Josh Greenhut: 2/5 🌟
54= The shadow by Neil Gaiman: 1/5 🌟
55= A day at the lake by Lesley Livingston: 1/5 🌟
56= Whispered by Jon Scieszka: 1/5 🌟
57= A disturbing Limerick: FOUND & ENVISIONED BY Vladimir Radunsky: 1/5 🌟
58= Through the veil by Alison McGhee: 1/5 🌟
59= The Rash by Daniel Ehrenhaft: 1/5 🌟
60= Where nightmares walk by Melissa Marr: 1/5 🌟
61= On a tuesday during that time of the year by Chris Raschka: 1/5 🌟
62= Death rides a pink bicycle by Stacey Godenir: 4/5 🌟
63= I'm not afraid by Dan Gutman: 3/5 🌟
64= The doll by Alice Kuipers: 2/5 🌟
65= Easy over by Frank Viva: 1/5 🌟
66= Them by Libba Bray: 2/5 🌟
67= Tiger kitty by Joyce Carol Oates: 1/5 🌟
68= Inventory by Jonathan Lethem: 1/5 🌟
69= Shortcut by Michael Connelly: 1/5 🌟
70= Strawberry bubbles by Lauren Myracle: 1/5 🌟
71= We think you do by Barry Yourgrau: 1/5 🌟
72= The prisoner of Eternia by Aaron Renier: 2/5 🌟
Rating: 1.5/5 🌟
This is an anthology consisting of literally half minute kinda horror short stories. It contain 72 short stories.
1= Something you ought to know by Lemony Snicket: 2/5 🌟
2= The chicken or the egg by Jerry Spinelli: 1/5 🌟
3= In hiding by Kenneth Oppel: 1/5🌟
4= The old man in the picture by Richard Sala: 3/5 🌟
5= The babysitter by Erin Hunter: 1/5 🌟
6= Grand entrance by James Patterson: 1/5 🌟
7= Halloween mask by Sonya Sones: 1/5 🌟
8= Tenton by Tom Genrich & Michele Perry: 3/5 🌟
9= Nanny by Angela Johnson: 2/5 🌟
10= The legend of Alexandra & Rose by Jon Klassen: 1/5 🌟
11= What's coming by Arthur Slade: 1/5 🌟
12= An easy gig by M.T. Anderson= 4/5 🌟
13= Mr. Black by Yvonne Prinz: 1/5 🌟
14= The foot dragger by M.E. Kerr: 2/5 🌟
15= Trick by Adam Rex: 3/5 🌟
16= Hank by Dean Lorey: 1.5/5 🌟
17= One of a kind by Sarah Weeks: 4/5 🌟
18= A walk too far by Gloria Whelan: 1/5 🌟
19= A very short story by Holly Black: 2.5/5 🌟
20= Deep six by Faye Kellerman: 1.5/5 🌟
21= The turn of the screw, by Henry James told by Lisa Gardner: 1/5 🌟
22= The attack of the flying mustaches by Pseudonymous Bosch: 1/5 🌟
23= Takowanda by Nadia Aguiar: 1/5 🌟
24= Heart stopper by Sienna Mercer: 1/5 🌟
25= Up to my elbow by Jack Gantos: 1.5/5 🌟
26= Four gleams in the moonlight by Stephen Marche: 2/5 star
27= The goblin book by Brad Meltzer: 1.5/5 🌟
28= Worms by Lane Smith: 1/5 star
29= The dare by Carol Gorman: 1/5 🌟
30= The ballad of John Grepsy by David Rich: 1/5 🌟
31= Soup by Jenny Nimmo: 1/5 🌟
32= The creeping hand by Margaret Atwood: 1/5 🌟
33= Wet sand, little teeth by Mariko Tamaki: 2/5 🌟
34= A thousand faces by Brian Selznick: 1/5 🌟
35= Chocolate cake by Francine Prose: 1/5 🌟
36= At the water's edge by Ayelet Waldman: 1/5 🌟
37= My worst nightmare by R.L. Stine: 1/5 🌟
38= The beast outside by Adele Griffin: 1/5 🌟
39= Unannounced by Aliza Kellerman: 3.5/5 🌟
40= Kruger's sausage haus by Mark Crilley: 2/5 🌟
41= There's something under the bed by Allan Stratton: 1/5 🌟
42= Cat's paw by Sarah L. Tomson: 1/5 🌟
43= Horrorku by Katherine Applegate: 1/5 🌟
44= The itch by AVI: 2/5 🌟
45= The new me: A phantoum by Gail Crason Levine: 1/5 🌟
46= Always eleven by David Stahler JR.: 2/5 🌟
47= Aloft by Carson Ellis: 1/5 🌟
48= Skittering by Tui T. Sutherland: 3/5 🌟
49= Stuck in the middle by Abi Slone: 1/5 🌟
50= All fingers and thumbs! By Joseph Delaney: 4/5 🌟
52= Don't wet the bed by Alan Gratz: 2/5 🌟
53= The final word by Josh Greenhut: 2/5 🌟
54= The shadow by Neil Gaiman: 1/5 🌟
55= A day at the lake by Lesley Livingston: 1/5 🌟
56= Whispered by Jon Scieszka: 1/5 🌟
57= A disturbing Limerick: FOUND & ENVISIONED BY Vladimir Radunsky: 1/5 🌟
58= Through the veil by Alison McGhee: 1/5 🌟
59= The Rash by Daniel Ehrenhaft: 1/5 🌟
60= Where nightmares walk by Melissa Marr: 1/5 🌟
61= On a tuesday during that time of the year by Chris Raschka: 1/5 🌟
62= Death rides a pink bicycle by Stacey Godenir: 4/5 🌟
63= I'm not afraid by Dan Gutman: 3/5 🌟
64= The doll by Alice Kuipers: 2/5 🌟
65= Easy over by Frank Viva: 1/5 🌟
66= Them by Libba Bray: 2/5 🌟
67= Tiger kitty by Joyce Carol Oates: 1/5 🌟
68= Inventory by Jonathan Lethem: 1/5 🌟
69= Shortcut by Michael Connelly: 1/5 🌟
70= Strawberry bubbles by Lauren Myracle: 1/5 🌟
71= We think you do by Barry Yourgrau: 1/5 🌟
72= The prisoner of Eternia by Aaron Renier: 2/5 🌟
August 29, 2015
ÇOK KORKUNÇTU!!!
-Tam aradığım türde bir kitaptı bu: Lafı uzatmadan, birkaç cümle ve/veya paragraf ile etkileyici hikayelerin anlatıldığı bir kitap. Ama ben kapağına aldanıp, daha çok çocuklara yönelik bir korku kitabı olduğunu sandım. Yanılmışım.
-Kitabı dün gece, küçük yeğenlerimi korkuttuğum karanlık apartman boşluğuna bakan kapkaranlık odada evdeki herkes uyurken okumaya başladım. Daha ilk birkaç hikayeden itibaren tırsmaya başladım.
-Biraz sonra dışarda gök gürleyip şimşekler çakmaya da başlayınca, her an çocukluk kabusum Chucky arkamda belirecekmiş gibi tırsmaya başladım:)
-Dün gece kitabın 20-30 sayfasını okuyup yatağıma döndüm ve gök gürlemeleri eşliğinde uykuya daldım. Neyse ki hiçbir kabus görmedim:)
-Kitaptaki çoğu hikaye gerçekten çok korkunçtu. Ben beğendim:) Bir de bu kitabı çocuklar için sandım, ama bunu okuyan çocukların tepkilerini tahmin bile edemiyorum:)
:)
-Tam aradığım türde bir kitaptı bu: Lafı uzatmadan, birkaç cümle ve/veya paragraf ile etkileyici hikayelerin anlatıldığı bir kitap. Ama ben kapağına aldanıp, daha çok çocuklara yönelik bir korku kitabı olduğunu sandım. Yanılmışım.
-Kitabı dün gece, küçük yeğenlerimi korkuttuğum karanlık apartman boşluğuna bakan kapkaranlık odada evdeki herkes uyurken okumaya başladım. Daha ilk birkaç hikayeden itibaren tırsmaya başladım.
-Biraz sonra dışarda gök gürleyip şimşekler çakmaya da başlayınca, her an çocukluk kabusum Chucky arkamda belirecekmiş gibi tırsmaya başladım:)
-Dün gece kitabın 20-30 sayfasını okuyup yatağıma döndüm ve gök gürlemeleri eşliğinde uykuya daldım. Neyse ki hiçbir kabus görmedim:)
-Kitaptaki çoğu hikaye gerçekten çok korkunçtu. Ben beğendim:) Bir de bu kitabı çocuklar için sandım, ama bunu okuyan çocukların tepkilerini tahmin bile edemiyorum:)
:)
October 30, 2020
Once upon a time when I was just browsing idly, I stumbled upon the world’s shortest horror story by Fredric Brown:
"The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door”
And since then, I’m obsessed with bite-size horror stories. It’s amazing how you can express so much with so few words and trigger imagination. And this book is full of these hair-rising mini horror stories which gave me exactly what I was looking for. I enjoyed most of the stories, some of them felt a bit short but still I really liked the idea behind this collection. You’ll find some of the most famous and talented authors here including Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman and Michael Connelly. I do not know if I’m the one crazy one here but I kept the time while reading them and not one of them lasted more than 30 seconds as the end cover suggests : How scared can you get in only 30 seconds? . A satisfyingly creepy one-breath read for the halloween. Definitely recommended.
"The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door”
And since then, I’m obsessed with bite-size horror stories. It’s amazing how you can express so much with so few words and trigger imagination. And this book is full of these hair-rising mini horror stories which gave me exactly what I was looking for. I enjoyed most of the stories, some of them felt a bit short but still I really liked the idea behind this collection. You’ll find some of the most famous and talented authors here including Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman and Michael Connelly. I do not know if I’m the one crazy one here but I kept the time while reading them and not one of them lasted more than 30 seconds as the end cover suggests : How scared can you get in only 30 seconds? . A satisfyingly creepy one-breath read for the halloween. Definitely recommended.
May 18, 2013
Not even a minute to scare you... coolio.
September 17, 2021
Toks tradicinis apsakymų knygos įvertinimas. Prasidėjo tobulai, skaitydama iš tikrųjų šiurpau, paskui istorijų lygis labai įvairavo, vienos buvo tobulos, kitos vidutiniškos, trečių ir visai nesupratau. Kadangi prastesniųjų buvo daugiau nei tobulųjų, o šiurpo vis mažėjo (arba tiesiog pripratau), bendras įvertinimas nuo viduriuko nusviro į prastesniąją pusę, bet tikrai nesigailiu, kad skaičiau!
April 2, 2019
Some were creepy while others were okay. Still a really fun read though.
July 13, 2015
when you hear about a book of half-minute horrors for children, you kinda just shrug your shoulders and decide that you'll read it as a quick, easy filler in between books, right? but here's the thing: you're wrong. this book was absolutely not a buffer. it was actually creepy - and i say this as someone who reads a lot of horror books, so it's not like i'm just a wimp or something. most of these bite-sized tales were incredibly clever, and they took some quick twists and turns, and some of them actually left me pondering over them for a couple of hours after i finished them. others were funny, and a couple were on the silly side, in my opinion, but overall, this was a really good, spooky book, in the vein of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
my personal favorite thing in this entire book was the legend of alexandra & rose by jon klassen, which you can see in this review.
my personal favorite thing in this entire book was the legend of alexandra & rose by jon klassen, which you can see in this review.
October 12, 2009
How scared can I get in thirty seconds? Well, I decided to find out. I picked up this book upon seeing the words "half-minute". This greatly appealed to my fluctuating attention span, which that day was extremely short. Overall, the stories were good; some more than others. It was interesting to see some of the big name authors that had contributed. My favorite, and in my opinion the creepiest, was "At the Water's Edge". Something about the lack of information the reader is given coupled with that eerie ending was just plain spooky. Some of the stories were lackluster, and a few didn't make a whole lot of sense. Being half-minute stories, I finished this in a day. The overall book is aimed at the juvenile crowd. But it's a fun little read for those of us who suffer from the dreaded short attention span.
February 8, 2016
Most of the stories were just really not even entertaining, never mind scary. Even for children. The ones that were vaguely unsettling relies more on gross out horror than anything else. I was pretty let down considering I enjoy a lot of the authors that contributed and really liking short form horror. Oh well.
October 29, 2018
October! Time for another scary read - just to find out that I can't really handle scary reads!
But I have to say that I somehow enjoyed this collection anyway, maybe because I found the idea behind it so clever that I can't really deny it.
99 short horror stories, 99 writers from Lemony Snicket to Neil Gaiman to Margaret Atwood and Holly Black. This is like Ocean's 13 but with writers and ghosts! This collection is really original: some of the works are short stories, some are comics, some are poems, and there's even an haiku.
I just guess I wasn't the ideal reader *insert shrug emoji* but if you like something to read out loud on cold October nights to the little ones in your family, that's the right book.
But I have to say that I somehow enjoyed this collection anyway, maybe because I found the idea behind it so clever that I can't really deny it.
99 short horror stories, 99 writers from Lemony Snicket to Neil Gaiman to Margaret Atwood and Holly Black. This is like Ocean's 13 but with writers and ghosts! This collection is really original: some of the works are short stories, some are comics, some are poems, and there's even an haiku.
I just guess I wasn't the ideal reader *insert shrug emoji* but if you like something to read out loud on cold October nights to the little ones in your family, that's the right book.
October 18, 2024
it was cool to see all the different authors that worked on this book. Most of the stories were kinda dumb or didnt make any sense. Btu some were good.
January 9, 2010
Reviewed by Lesley for TeensReadToo.com
With over thirty stories, from one paragraph to two pages, these are written to scare kids and adults alike from your favorite Young Adult authors. Holly Black, Neil Gaiman, R.L. Stine, and even James Patterson have written for this frightening anthology.
Not only are there short stories within the book, but there are also comic strips, poems, and even haikus and limericks included in the mix to creep under your skin.
Some art in the book is drawn for you to make your own interpretations. There is a collage of monsters, a Ouija board sending a boy a message of fear, even vengeful animal spirits. Each drawing is beautifully illustrated no matter the subject!
Stories vary from ghost children to evil alien parents, monsters under the bed to killer pets! Great for Halloween or any time, HALF-MINUTE HORRORS is short enough to fill anyone's attention span and is worth the read if you like a frightening tale!
With over thirty stories, from one paragraph to two pages, these are written to scare kids and adults alike from your favorite Young Adult authors. Holly Black, Neil Gaiman, R.L. Stine, and even James Patterson have written for this frightening anthology.
Not only are there short stories within the book, but there are also comic strips, poems, and even haikus and limericks included in the mix to creep under your skin.
Some art in the book is drawn for you to make your own interpretations. There is a collage of monsters, a Ouija board sending a boy a message of fear, even vengeful animal spirits. Each drawing is beautifully illustrated no matter the subject!
Stories vary from ghost children to evil alien parents, monsters under the bed to killer pets! Great for Halloween or any time, HALF-MINUTE HORRORS is short enough to fill anyone's attention span and is worth the read if you like a frightening tale!
November 18, 2016
Nope, nope, nope, nope. I picked this up because I'm a sucker for short stories (in this case flash fiction, which is fascinating when done right), because of the dazzling array of authors, and because (I'm only a little ashamed to admit this) about all I can handle in the way of horror is that meant for younger readers. I am also intrigued by the recent popularity of "two-sentence scary stories," which can also be too much for me, but which, even I have to admit, are kind of genius.
But right from the get-go these stories were horrible and disturbing, more so than the relatively tame and somewhat silly cover art predicted. If 33-year-old me can't handle this, I know for a fact 10-year-old me would have begged my parents to take it back to the library immediately so that it didn't darken my house any longer than necessary. The stories in this collection are much better suited to the YA crowd because of their gruesomeness and intensity.
But right from the get-go these stories were horrible and disturbing, more so than the relatively tame and somewhat silly cover art predicted. If 33-year-old me can't handle this, I know for a fact 10-year-old me would have begged my parents to take it back to the library immediately so that it didn't darken my house any longer than necessary. The stories in this collection are much better suited to the YA crowd because of their gruesomeness and intensity.
October 28, 2019
A great anthology from an excellent selection of authors. Many of these stories were more disturbing than I expected--that's a good thing. I read some aloud to 6th and 7th graders and they really enjoyed it.
October 6, 2017
One of the best scary story compilations out there for kids.
June 15, 2021
Süß ist normalerweise kein Wort, das ich für eine Horror-Anthologie verwenden würde, aber ich kann mir keine bessere Beschreibung vorstellen. Diese Anthologie ist definitiv an Kinder gerichtet gewesen (da es bereits einige Jahre alt ist) und manche Geschichten sind nicht mal ganz eine Seite lang. Viele Geschichten waren zu kurz, um einen richtigen Sinn darin zu erkennen, viele haben mich ratlos zurück gelassen, andere fand ich gruselig und toll, aber was am besten war, waren die kleinen Horror-Comics. Von denen hätte ich gern mehr gehabt. Aufmachung und Gestaltung sind super, insgesamt ganz unterhaltsam.
June 11, 2015
Is it possible to be scared in a matter of seconds....
Yes and no, some of these extremely short stories were creepy, others were weird, and one or two made me shiver. More often than not I was entertained but there were a few that just left me confused.
This collection boasts quite a few prominent names like Neil Gaiman and R.L. Stine but almost across the board I was unimpressed by what these big names had to offer with James Patterson receiving the honor of crafting my least favorite "A Grand Entrance", it was just stupid.
What was nice is that there are so many different types of writers brought together, not just authors of the macabre. There were authors that are known for graphic novels, picture books, and poetry as well. It was nice to break up the shorts with illustrations or comic panels and it introduced me to a ton of new authors to check out.
There were a few stories that really stood out to me as the best of the best and it made me want to check out the writers other works. My favorites were as follows:
In Hiding by Kenneth Oppel-Great Twist.
The Legend of Alexandra & Rose by Jon Klassen- Great use of a simple illustration and dark humor.
An Easy Gig by M.T. Anderson- Gruesome, dark, beyond creepy, the best babysitting story ever.
Mr. Black by Yvonne Prinz- Most original, unsettling and unlike any of the other stories.
Hank by Dean Lorey- Simple, strange, will really get a dog lover feeling uneasy.
Worms by Lane Smith- Fantastically gross illustrated poem.
The one that left me confused was Tiger Kitty by Joyce Carol Oates. I read it once and then again out loud to my husband and he didn't get it either.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised, many of these stories were quite dark and would entertain all ages. Very fun, nice book to own. I can picture my child-self bringing this to a sleepover or summer camp and reading my favorites out loud with a flashlight.
Yes and no, some of these extremely short stories were creepy, others were weird, and one or two made me shiver. More often than not I was entertained but there were a few that just left me confused.
This collection boasts quite a few prominent names like Neil Gaiman and R.L. Stine but almost across the board I was unimpressed by what these big names had to offer with James Patterson receiving the honor of crafting my least favorite "A Grand Entrance", it was just stupid.
What was nice is that there are so many different types of writers brought together, not just authors of the macabre. There were authors that are known for graphic novels, picture books, and poetry as well. It was nice to break up the shorts with illustrations or comic panels and it introduced me to a ton of new authors to check out.
There were a few stories that really stood out to me as the best of the best and it made me want to check out the writers other works. My favorites were as follows:
In Hiding by Kenneth Oppel-Great Twist.
The Legend of Alexandra & Rose by Jon Klassen- Great use of a simple illustration and dark humor.
An Easy Gig by M.T. Anderson- Gruesome, dark, beyond creepy, the best babysitting story ever.
Mr. Black by Yvonne Prinz- Most original, unsettling and unlike any of the other stories.
Hank by Dean Lorey- Simple, strange, will really get a dog lover feeling uneasy.
Worms by Lane Smith- Fantastically gross illustrated poem.
The one that left me confused was Tiger Kitty by Joyce Carol Oates. I read it once and then again out loud to my husband and he didn't get it either.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised, many of these stories were quite dark and would entertain all ages. Very fun, nice book to own. I can picture my child-self bringing this to a sleepover or summer camp and reading my favorites out loud with a flashlight.
April 3, 2018
Apparently all the contents of this book focuses on it's theme line "How scared can you get in only 30 seconds?"
Dare to find out!
These instant thrills comprise of 10 seconds to 1 and a half minute long stories, poems and horror comic strips. I was excited to find some of my favourite writers including Lemony Snicket, James Patterson, Neil Gaiman, Holly Black etc. and many more. It is indeed hard to write a horror story and create that creepy atmosphere in such a short length. Yet the writers delivered what was expected from their extraordinary calibre. Even though most of the stories were not scary, some of them really were, specially to the young readers. I can't even imagine how children will dare to look at their pet animals, parents or stuffed dolls the same way as before. What's worse is that the existence of all the scary monsters and ghosts are confirmed in this book. Unless the young reader enjoys horror stuff, I think it's better that they avoid this book.
Dare to find out!
These instant thrills comprise of 10 seconds to 1 and a half minute long stories, poems and horror comic strips. I was excited to find some of my favourite writers including Lemony Snicket, James Patterson, Neil Gaiman, Holly Black etc. and many more. It is indeed hard to write a horror story and create that creepy atmosphere in such a short length. Yet the writers delivered what was expected from their extraordinary calibre. Even though most of the stories were not scary, some of them really were, specially to the young readers. I can't even imagine how children will dare to look at their pet animals, parents or stuffed dolls the same way as before. What's worse is that the existence of all the scary monsters and ghosts are confirmed in this book. Unless the young reader enjoys horror stuff, I think it's better that they avoid this book.
October 9, 2011
If you’re looking for a book to read aloud to your kids (or your classroom!) during Halloween time, this is the one to pick up. It includes various genres, such as short stories, haikus, comics, limericks, etc. Also, with monsters under the bed, possessed toys, alien parents, ghosts, and a handful of other things, Half-Minute Horrors pretty much covers all the bases for creepiness.
The stories are short (I think the longest one was a little over 2 pages), yet incredibly entertaining. Yes, there are some that I didn’t like very much, but for the most part, I was chuckling my way through Half-Minute Horrors. If you read it to younger kids, there is a good chance some of these stories will scare them, so if you’re worried about giving your kid nightmares or something, be sure to look it over. However, I definitely recommend including this book in your Halloween celebrations.
The stories are short (I think the longest one was a little over 2 pages), yet incredibly entertaining. Yes, there are some that I didn’t like very much, but for the most part, I was chuckling my way through Half-Minute Horrors. If you read it to younger kids, there is a good chance some of these stories will scare them, so if you’re worried about giving your kid nightmares or something, be sure to look it over. However, I definitely recommend including this book in your Halloween celebrations.
March 27, 2017
Starší děti už to asi nevyděsí, menším bych to zase moc nedávala. Mě přišlo spousta příběhů opravdu dost nechutných a hororových. Každopádně to doporučuji páťákům, klukům, kteří neradi čtou, a těm se to líbí. Jsou to opravdu kratičké příběhy, které zvládnou.
October 12, 2017
Seriously creepy stuff. If your kids want to be scared, read this. (shudders)
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