The suspense. Middle reader short scary stories often have a lot of suspense. For example, in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator keeps building up the tension as he plans his deed. The unknown also plays a big part. We don't know what exactly is going to happen next, like in 'The Landlady' where we're not sure about the landlady's true intentions at first. And the sense of danger, even if it's not too extreme, makes it exciting for young readers.
One common theme is the unknown. For example, in stories where there are strange noises at night or something lurking in the shadows. The characters don't know what it is, and that creates fear. Another theme is death. Many of these stories might involve ghosts or the idea of a character facing death in a spooky way. Like in 'The Monkey's Paw' where the wishes lead to death - related consequences.
One popular middle reader short scary story is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a man who is driven mad by the old man's 'vulture - like' eye and commits a horrible deed. Another is 'The Landlady' by Roald Dahl. A young man checks into a boarding house and the seemingly nice landlady has some very strange and creepy secrets. There's also 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' which has a collection of spooky tales perfect for middle readers.
One popular middle reader scary short story is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a narrator who is haunted by the eye of an old man he lives with and his descent into madness. Another is 'The Monkey's Paw' which has a spooky element of wishes that go horribly wrong. And 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' by Washington Irving, with the headless horseman being a very scary character.
One common theme is the fear of the unknown. For example, in stories where there are strange noises at night or things that go bump in the dark, the main character doesn't know what's causing it. Another theme is the supernatural. Ghosts, witches, and monsters often appear in these stories. And there's also the theme of isolation. Many times, the main character is alone or feels alone when the horror events start to happen, like in a big, empty old house.
There's a story called 'The Ghostly Graveyard'. It's about a group of kids who dare each other to enter a graveyard at night and the spooky things they encounter there. 'The Werewolf Next Door' is also popular among middle readers. It's about a neighbor who might be a werewolf. These stories can be found on various online platforms that cater to this age group.
One great middle reader short horror story is 'The Graveyard Book' by Neil Gaiman. It follows the story of a boy who is raised by ghosts in a graveyard. Another is 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark'. It has a collection of short, spooky tales that are perfect for middle readers. Also, 'Wait Till Helen Comes' is a good one, with a creepy plot about a step - sister and a vengeful ghost.
One common element is the spooky setting. Middle schools have many areas that can be made to seem scary, like empty hallways, locked attics, or dark basements. Another element is the unknown or unexplained. For example, strange noises that no one can figure out the source of. Also, the idea of a past event that haunts the present, such as a long - ago accident or a student who disappeared.
In a middle school near a cemetery, there's a story about a strange girl who appears on the playground at dusk. She always wears old - fashioned clothes and has a sad look. Some students who have seen her say that when they get closer, she vanishes into thin air, leaving behind a chill in the air.
You can try websites like Wattpad. There are many users on Wattpad who write short horror stories suitable for middle readers. Another option is to check out some free e - book platforms. They often have a section dedicated to horror stories for different age groups, including middle readers.