Check out my list of YA Halloween Books About Ghosts! As a thriller and mystery lover, I think the spooky season should be all year long! Here is a list of my favorite YA paranormal books that feature spirits, apparitions, and more. Updated for Spooky Season 2025!

Ghost Books to Read for Halloween: a ghost on a dark blue background

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YA Books About Ghosts

A watercolor image of a woman, a ghost and a Victorian mansion

Since I wrote this post back in 2019, there are several great new YA ghost books, many of them featuring characters of color and/or who identify as LBGTQ.

Check out all these titles, old and new, and tell me about your favorites in the comments!

New Ghost Books for 2025:

My Keen Knife by Ana Davis
Persephone’s Curse by Katrina Leno
Bad Creek by Peyton June
How to Survive a Horror Movie by Scarlett Dunmore
Songs for Ghosts by Clara Kumagi
Among Ghosts by Rachel Hartman

YA Horror Books About Ghosts:

The Depths by Nicole Lesperance (2022)

Forced to tag along to Eulalie island on her mother’s honeymoon (ew!) Addie feels that there’s something eerie and unsettling about the place.

After Addie meets an enigmatic boy on the beach, then learns about two sisters who died on the island centuries ago, she wonders if there’s more to this place, things only she can see.

White Smoke by Tiffany Jackson (2021)

YA Black Horror: White Smoke by Tiffany D Jackson

I really enjoyed this story of a girl who moves into a creepy neighborhood and even creepier house! I’m a huge fan of Tiffany D. Jackson (check out my rave review of Grown!)

Marigold is running from ghosts. Her mom has accepted a new job with the Sterling Foundation that comes with a free house, one that Mari now has to share with her bratty ten-year-old stepsister, Piper.

But the house is haunted! And the danger isn’t limited to Maple Street. Cedarville has its secrets, too. And secrets always find their way through the cracks.

A House Unsettled by Trynne Delaney (2022)

If you’re looking for Black or queer horror stories, look no further!

Asha is desperate for a fresh start, though her great aunt Aggie’s crumbling, pest-ridden house isn’t exactly what she had in mind. But Asha’s optimism is shadowed by strange and disturbing occurrences within the old house’s walls: footsteps stalking the halls; a persistent chill; cold hands around her neck in the middle of the night . . .

Anna Dressed in Blood series by Kendare Blake (2012)

A spooky classic duology about an angry female ghost. For fans of Supernatural..

I reviewed this book and its sequel back in 2012, and here’s what I said:

I love ghost stories, and I LOVE these two books. I mean, a dark and spooky guy-meets-ghost story? Sign me up! There’s so much to love about these books.

I love these characters. I know that some reviewers found Cas overly cocky, but I thought that was part of his special charm. I mean, you can’t be a timid ghost hunter. Thomas, Cas’s telepath friend, is also a huge favorite of mine. Then there’s Carmel, the queen bee with hidden depths.

I loved the fact that the plots of these books are surprisingly simple. Book one story goal: kill Anna. Book two: save Anna. Cool how those two goals are totally reversed, right?

Scariness level: perfection! These books are dark and do contain some bloody, horrific stuff at times, but that never felt gratuitous to me, just deliciously creepy.

I was thrilled that some of the action in Girl of Nightmares moves to London. My absolute favorite parts were the scene at the Tower of London and Cas’s descent into the underworld. I really love a good underworld scene!

YA Mystery Books About Ghosts

Who doesn’t love a ghostly mystery?

The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould (2022)

This fun title features Logan, main whose parents star in a ghost hunting show. When he and his dads arrive in small town Oregon, he decided to help a girl find her missing boyfriend.

Summer’s Edge by Dana Miele (2022)

Emily Joiner was once part of an inseparable friend group, until a fire burned the lake house to ashes with her inside. A year later, her friends return. Emily’s death wasn’t an accident. And all the clues needed to find the person responsible are right here.

Now Entering Addamsville by Francesca Zappia (2019)

A girl who lives in a small town obsessed with ghosts.

I’m a huge fan of this author, and have been meaning to give this book a try!

When someone burns down the home of the school janitor and he dies in the blaze, everyone in Addamsville, Indiana, points a finger at Zora.

Now, Zora must team up with her cousin Artemis—an annoying self-proclaimed Addamsville historian—to clear her name.

But with a popular ghost-hunting television show riling up the townspeople, almost no support from her family and friends, and rumors spinning out of control, things aren’t looking good. Zora will have to read between the lines of Addamsville’s ghost stories before she becomes one herself.

YA Coming of Age Books About Ghosts

I love books that incorporate magic and coming of age!

Deep in Providence by Riss M. Neilson (2022)

For best friends Miliani, Inez, Natalie and Jasmine, Providence, Rhode Island has a witchy magic.

Every corner of of the city glows with memories of them practicing spells, mixing up potions and doing séances with the help of the magic Miliani’s Filipino grandfather taught her.

But when Jasmine is killed by a drunk driver, the world they have always known is left haunted by grief…and Jasmine’s lingering spirit.

Determined to bring her back, the surviving friends band together, testing the limits of their magic and everything they know about life, death, and each other.

The Drowning Summer by Christine Lynn Herman (2022)

Six years ago, three Long Island teenagers were murdered—their drowned bodies discovered with sand dollars placed over their eyes.

The case went cold, but as far as the town’s concerned, Evelyn Mackenzie’s father did it. His charges were dropped only because Evelyn summoned a ghost to clear his name. She swore never to call a spirit again. She lied.

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (2020)

Queer YA Ghost Books: Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can’t get rid of him.

This book got amazing reviews, takes place around Halloween. It’s high on my Halloween TBR!

When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free.

YA Paranormal and Paranormal Romance Books Featuring Ghosts

If, like me, you fondly remember YA paranormal romance from the 2010s I am happy to tell you it is back! Complete with love triangles in some cases….

Ghosted by Amanda Quain (2023)

A Jane Austen retelling paranormal romance ghost story? YES please!

Hattie is a senior at America’s most (allegedly) haunted high school, Northanger Abbey. But ever since her paranormal-loving dad passed away, she’s hung up her Ghostbusters suit, put away the EMF detectors, and moved on.

But the mask starts slipping when Kit Morland arrives at Northanger on a ghost-hunting scholarship. Hattie quickly strikes a deal: Kit will present whatever ghostly evidence he can find to prove that the campus is haunted, and Hattie will prove it’s not.

If I Have to be Haunted by Miranda Sun (2023)

Wishing for a hate to love ghost romance?

Cara Tang doesn’t want to be haunted.

Her mother insists she be the “perfect” Chinese American daughter (which means suppressing her ghost-speaking powers) and she keeps getting into fights with Zacharias, the local golden boy.

Then Cara stumbles across Zach’s dead body in the woods. She’s the only one who can see – and save – him.Agreeing to resurrect him puts her at odds with her mother, and draws her into a dangerous liminal world of monsters and magic.

Storm and Fury by Jennifer Armentrout (2019)

A ghost story by a beloved YA author!

Trinity Marrow may be going blind, but she can see and communicate with ghosts and spirits.

Zayne is the most annoying and fascinating person she’s ever met. Zayne has secrets of his own that will upend her world yet again—but working together becomes imperative once Trinity’s secret comes to light.To save her family and maybe the world, she’ll have to put her trust in Zayne.

Grave Things Like Love by Sara Bennett Wealer (2022)

Sara Bennett Wealer was a favorite YA author of mine back in the 2010s and I was excited to see she had a new book!

Everyone calls Elaine Funeral Girl. When Xander, a cute new boy with a penchant for ghost hunting, arrives in town, Elaine feels an instant spark. His daring and spontaneous ways help her go from Funeral Girl to Fun Girl. After Xander convinces her to stage a seance one night, Elaine discovers that her home might be haunted by a kindred spirit—the daughter of the funeral home’s original owner.

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready (2010)

YA Paranormal Romance About Ghosts: Shade

This is old school paranormal YA, romance-heavy and a bit love-triangle-y.

With Logan’s band playing a crucial gig and Aura’s plans for an intimate after- birthday party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend’s life. She never thought it would be his last.
Logan’s sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He’s gone.

Well, sort of. Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and talk to ghosts.

Here’s my review of Shine, the third book in this paranormal romance trilogy!

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson (2011)

Maureen Johnson! Here’s my author spotlight on her.

And my review of The Madness Underneath (2013), the second book in this trilogy.

Though the plot took a turn I really wasn’t happy about, this is a fun Jack-the-Ripper inspired series about an American student in London.

Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London to start boarding school just as a series of brutal murders mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper killing spree of more than a century ago has broken out across the city.

The police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man believed to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him – the only one who can see him. And now Rory has become his next target…unless she can tap her previously unknown abilities to turn the tables.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (2012)

This trilogy was HUGE back in the 2010s. I highly recommend it!

Here’s my review of The Dream Thieves. And my review of the final book, Blue Lily, Lily Blue.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins (2013)

You may know Rachel Hawkins as an adult suspense author, but back in the 2010s, she wrote YA paranormal romance.

For centuries, Izzy’s family has hunted magical creatures. But when Izzy’s older sister vanishes without a trace while on a job, Izzy’s mom decides they need to take a break.

Izzy and her mom move to a new town, but they soon discover it’s not as normal as it appears. A series of hauntings has been plaguing the local high school, and Izzy is determined to prove her worth and investigate.

Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall (2019)

You might also know Kate Alice Marshall as an adult suepsne author, but SURPRISE (again) she also wrote YA back in the 2010s.

This book features a missing girl, a vengeful ghost, and the girl who is determined to find her sister.

My review of A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall (an adult suspense story)

YA Historical Fiction Books With Ghosts

Historical fiction makes a perfect setting for ghosts!

The Voice Upstairs by Laura Weymouth (2023)

Wilhelmina Price has a dubious reputation in the village Ever since her mother’s untimely death, she has been able to see a person’s spirit leaving their body days or hours before they die.

There is nothing Ed Summerfield values more than his friendship with Wil, which is why he’s desperate to disguise how hopelessly in love with her he’s become—and his belief that he may be haunted by the ghost of his older brother, Peter.

Together, Wil and Ed must dig deeper into the Summerfields’ hoard of secrets.

In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters (2013)

YA Historical Fiction about Ghosts: In the Shadow ing Blackbirds by Cat Winters

I loved this story of supernatural historical fiction set during the first world war!

Check out my review of In the Shadow of Blackbirds

In 1918, Americans roam the streets in masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war.

Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances for comfort, but shenever believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form.

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