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A Monster at the Window: Kate is left alone when her parents go out for the night. She reads her little brother Tim a scary story about a monster. But the story puts Kate in a susceptible mood. Soon she believes there is a monster at the window. What is it really? (370 words) Themes: Bravery, Reality (Zip Stage 5) (Flesch grade 3.9) (Lexile 610) This story is very simple in its basic premise, despite the impression that its readability measure suggests, and is more appropriate for younger children. |
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The Bogeyman: The classic tale about the horrible monster who eats naughty boys. Tom is a bad boy, who never does what he is told. One night, the Bogeyman turns up and puts him in a bag. Tom is about to be eaten, but manages to trick the monster’s wife, and escapes. This should teach him a lesson, but Tom goes back to his bad ways. The monster captures him a second time. (738 words) Themes: Be good, Be smart (Zip Stage 4) (Flesch grade 2.5) (Lexile 240) |
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The Old House: Suzy is intrigued by an old house which is said to be haunted. She stays away, until one day when her cat goes inside. Not wanting to seem frightened, she and her sister Linda venture inside. Then Linda disappears! Suzy is terrified. But all is not as it seems and there is a surprise ending. (546 words) Themes: Bravery, Fairness (Zip Stage 6) (Flesch grade 4.0) (Lexile 480) This story is quite simple, despite the impression that its readability measure suggests. |
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I’m not Afraid: Johnny agrees to spend the night in a castle which is said to contain a terrible monster. But Johnny is not afraid. Sure enough, locked up in the castle alone, Johnny finds that the monster appears. The monster invites Johnny to come with him and leads him to a treasure. How will the story end? (643 words) Themes: Bravery, Decency (Zip Stage 4) (Flesch grade 2.5) (Lexile 150) |
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In your Sleep: A scary yarn about spiders – who take their revenge! Beth is about to kill a spider when her father stops her. He explains by telling her the chilling story of what happened when he was a child and the spiders taught him and his family a terrible lesson. (653 words) Themes: Be kind to animals, What goes around comes around (Zip Stage 5) (Flesch grade 3.0) (Lexile 370) |
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There’s a Train Coming!: A dramatic retelling of a true life train disaster. Two men were crossing a railway track when their truck became lodged across the line. A train was approaching and the driver did not know about the obstacle ahead. (900 words) Themes: Bravery, Altruism (Zip Stage 5) (Flesch grade 3.4) (Lexile 370) |
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The Ghost Train: Katie and Jason go on the ghost train. There are various scary apparitions, but then a strange boy joins them in the car. Who is he and why does he suddenly disappear? There is a story behind all this – which they soon learn. (574 words) Themes: Bravery (Zip Stage 6) (Flesch grade 4.1) (Lexile 490) |
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The Hitchhiker: A spooky variation on the urban legend about the person hitching a ride. Jessica and her family pick up a strange girl. She says nothing – and then, incredibly, disappears. Later the shocking truth is revealed. (502 words) Themes: Kindness (Zip Stage 8) (Flesch grade 5.6) (Lexile 660) |
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The Graveyard Ghost: Two boys, Pete and Joey, take a short cut through the graveyard. To their horror, they realise they are being followed. The “thing” is dragging chains! They run for their lives. What is it? (829 words) Themes: Bravery, Credulity (Zip Stage 8) (Flesch grade 4.2) (Lexile 760) |
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A Ghost Story: Dolph accepts money to stay the night in a haunted house. Sure enough, a ghost appears. However, it seems harmless and is eager to show him something important. A dramatic retelling of the fine story by Washington Irving. This is a wonderful story, with daring, treasure and a love story as well. (1362 words) Themes: Bravery, Resourcefulness (Zip Stage 5) (Flesch grade 2.8) (Lexile 310) This story is not challenging linguistically, but its key ideas are more “grown up” and it is appropriate for older children. |
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Mad Tom: Ellie, Jess and Midge are staying the night in an old shearing shed. They begin to tell one another ghost stories. One turns out to be about the resident ghost of the property, “Mad Tom”. Then, to their horror, the ghost appears, in person! (1469 words) Themes: Responsibility, Credulity (Zip Stage 6) (Flesch grade 3.7) (Lexile 440) This story is not challenging linguistically, but its key ideas are more “grown up” and it is appropriate for older children. |
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The Toy Dragon: Bobby is a horrible child, who takes advantage of his mother and everyone else. One day, in a toy shop, he insists on having a toy dragon. The toy turns out to have an amazing secret, and Bobby gets his just deserts. (1362 words) Themes: Naughtiness, Consequences (Zip Stage 8) (Flesch grade 6.4) (Lexile 791) |