Don't Turn Out the Lights: A Tribute to Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
✍️ Josh MalermanA curated anthology of thirty-five terrifying stories honoring Alvin Schwartz's classic series.
This collection brings together short horror tales from prominent writers like R.L. Stine and Madeleine Roux. Josh Malerman selected these pieces to celebrate the legacy of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. The book includes illustrations by Iris Compiet that depict the grotesque subjects within. Themes include ogres, spider infestations, and inescapable haunted locations. The anthology targets middle grade readers who enjoy brief, intense scares. It avoids complex plotlines in favor of immediate horror. The contributors are members of the Horror Writers Association. This structure allows for varied storytelling styles while maintaining a cohesive tone of dread. The book serves as both an introduction to horror for new readers and a nostalgic trip for older fans. The visual elements play a crucial role in setting the mood for each tale.
This 2021 release by HarperCollins honors Alvin Schwartz's influential middle grade horror series. It continues the tradition of short, illustrated scary stories that have captivated American readers for decades. The anthology bridges classic folklore with modern horror writing techniques.
📝 Description: Don't Turn Out the Lights: A Tribute to Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
💎 Our verdict on Don't Turn Out the Lights: A Tribute to Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Readers seeking brief, intense scares will find this collection ideal for introducing new fans to horror or providing nostalgia for older audiences. Josh Malerman curates thirty-five tales that avoid complex plotlines in favor of immediate terror, making it accessible yet genuinely frightening. The inclusion of grotesque illustrations by Iris Compiet enhances the mood, depicting ogres and spider infestations without crossing into extreme gore. This volume captures the essence of middle grade fear, offering a cohesive tone of dread through varied storytelling styles. It stands as a perfect bridge between classic folklore and modern macabre fiction, suitable for those who appreciate gothic imagery and supernatural dread in short, digestible formats.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Got it as a gift for a friend who loves the genre. The binding held up to being carried around for a week. Five stars from me.
Added this to the shelf next to the ones I reread. Print is comfortable for late-night reading. Will be gifting a copy to a friend.
Ordered it for Halloween and it came in time. It leans on old gothic bones and makes them creak convincingly. A couple of the side characters are thinly drawn. Solid, if not essential.
This has been on my wishlist for months. The ending is bleak and honest, not a twist for the sake of one. Already eyeing my next order.
Bought this for my brother and ended up reading it first. A few scenes I will not forget, whether I want to or not. Genuinely unsettling in places, and it earns it without cheap tricks. Delivery took a bit longer than quoted. Solid, if not essential.
Finished it over a stormy weekend, which helped. It is the kind of horror that rewards reading with the lights on. Glad I finally picked this up.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📖 Who should read this
Fans of classic middle-grade terror and short fiction will adore this tribute. If you prefer sprawling novels or gentle bedtime tales, skip this book entirely. It is designed for those who crave quick, visceral shocks rather than lengthy narratives.
📜 Historical context
✍️ More books by this author Josh Malerman
All books by this author →
🏛 Books from this publisher HarperCollins
All books from this publisher →
You might also like
See more →
Have a question about this item?
Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.
