I first experienced the moment when… As the bell rang, signaling the start of recess, a lone student covertly produced a replica of Alvin Schwartz’s renowned horror collection in the midst of a lively playground scene. As we huddled together, repelled yet drawn in by the macabre images, little did we realize that the knowledge we were about to acquire would inscribe itself into the very fabric of our collective terror, haunting us for three decades to come?
First introduced in 1981, but nonetheless omnipresent at sleepovers and back-of-the-bus fright sessions throughout the ’90s, this horror icon has earned a legendary status among millennials for instilling sheer dread.
The image that still unsettles me is “that”, a carefree pair of young men who venture into a swamp under the cover of darkness, only to be brutally assaulted by an unseen force that rips their companion’s arm from its socket, leaving behind a gruesome and lifeless stump. I lay awake for at least a week after reading the story about a gruesome, toothless corpse head that emerged from a bathroom. As I lay shivering beneath the covers, my gaze fixed intently on the darkness beyond my bedroom door, I was convinced that a creeping hand would soon slide into view.
As Halloween drew near that year, I found myself wondering if I had crafted a timeless tale, one that could leave a lasting impact on a generation’s collective psyche and terrify my kids with an unforgettable horror story of its own. I’ve contacted booksellers, librarians, and a renowned horror author, specifically my younger child’s favorite, to uncover what frightens children today and the role, if any, that scary stories play in their lives.
Youngsters in Gen Alpha, fixated on apocalyptic scenarios, might be desensitized to fear due to their immersion in doomsday fantasies. In reality, consultants guided me to understand that modern title styles, such as “or the” or “”, have evolved to be somewhat more subdued compared to those I was familiar with during my childhood.
“With haunting intensity, we worried ourselves to sleep,” Jean Darnell, the director of library science for the Philadelphia School District and a devoted fan of horror fiction, confided in me. The psychological concern was even more thoroughly explored.
In children’s horror, there is one notable aspect that warrants attention: the need for a lighter touch. As a parent, I’m deeply invested in my children’s education as writers, but the thought of them lying awake at night, terrorized by fictional horrors, fills me with anxiety.
While the distinctions between my children’s frightful spectacles and my own haunted narratives leave me curious about what children ultimately derive from spine-tingling stories, and the significance of these tales in a genuinely terrifying world.
The taming of scary tales
I didn’t realize it at the time, but I grew up throughout my adolescence. which ultimately grew into a trilogy of three volumes, sparked the creation process, featuring collaborations between esteemed authors Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine quickly following swimsuit, . R.L. Stine’s iconic Goosebumps series, accompanied by a popular 1990s television adaptation, has left an indelible mark on the collective imagination of many millennials.
While some may have been foolish or frightening, many others have been genuinely terrifying. The image that haunts me is that of a young boy who checks into a summer sleepaway camp, only to find himself psychologically terrorized by peculiar staff members, ultimately coerced into using a tranquilizer gun to track down and subdue his peers.
Despite their unorthodox approach, the Goosebumps series ironically succumbed to its immense popularity. By the 2000s, horror’s popularity waned in favor of fantasy, particularly with the enormous success of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
However, the undead trend has recently resurfaced, coinciding with a broader cultural phenomenon. According to Anna Hersh, co-owner of Wild Rumpus Bookstore, the store’s “Spooky Shed” section dedicated to horror novels has seen significant demand, prompting her to keep it fully stocked throughout the year. With its anthology format featuring distinct installments penned by prominent authors, Fashionable Titles has become the go-to series for readers seeking a modern equivalent of the beloved Goosebumps franchise, as observed by Hersh. Engaging stories for 8- to 12-year-olds bring everyday objects and food items to life as they cleverly chase Jasper, a naive rabbit, in a series of humorous misadventures.
In a unique blend of whimsy and wit, reminiscent of the acclaimed journalist Seymour Hersh, this 2020 bestseller – a treasured favorite in many homes – follows the misadventures of two lovable ghostly confectioners who struggle to connect with their fellow otherworldly creatures. While these stories often prove to be more endearing than terrifying, they unfold against a backdrop where werewolves, Calavera-esque skeletons, and intangible women sporting hovering spectacles are simply business as usual.
While nostalgic for the classics of my childhood, Wild Rumpus does draw parallels with early Goosebumps series, primarily featuring titles published in the 2010s. Many of the distinctive Goosebumps plotlines now appear outdated – it’s puzzling that some frightened protagonists didn’t just whip out their phone and dial their mom, noted Hersh. In the realm of horror fiction, Immediately’s stories often feature protagonists engaging in online research to unravel the mysteries of the monstrous entities haunting them, or they unfold in fantastical settings where such tools don’t exist, notes Hersh.
According to library science director Darnell, scary tales from the ’80s and ’90s were far more chilling than their modern counterparts, which he described as feeling “watered down.”
According to author Max Brallier, who writes under the pen name Jack Chabert, younger readers today are surprisingly “more conservative in some ways” compared to their counterparts from past decades. While ’90s children were captivated by the chilling album artwork, today’s youth may be even more hesitant. Despite initial controversy surrounding a 2011 re-release of the books, which featured altered content, a subsequent outcry from fans prompted the restoration of the original, distinctive photography.
As a rite of passage, engaging in spooky tales during adolescence can have a profound impact on youths.
It’s entirely reasonable to have some worry about the long-term impact of technology on children’s mental health and their ability to get a good night’s sleep. Regardless, there’s always been a fine line between an exhilarating scare and a traumatic recollection. As a child, Brallier recalls, “The ocean, lake, and pool have been irreparably tarnished for me – a damage that’s persisted for about 15 years.” As a creator, he notes, “You don’t want to irreparably harm someone.”
Some adult attempts to scare children often seem strangely sadistic in hindsight. I recall a neighbour of mine, known for his eerie Halloween displays, who would answer the door donning an exceptionally terrifying werewolf mask complete with piercing red eyes that seemed to glow in the dark. I don’t harbor nostalgia for the era when elaborate adult costumes were a staple of Halloween celebrations, and it’s refreshing to see fewer pretentious getups at present.
As she reminisces about that same era, she vividly recalls a peculiar parental antic from her childhood, which unfolded in a graveyard, surrounded by the cacophony of a chainsaw’s revving engine and an unsettling disembodied voice whispering eerie phrases amidst the rustling of fallen leaves. The writer, Jezer-Morton, observes that the experience of having security as a “scrumptious aid” alongside something is a feeling many youngsters today are missing. She or he laments that this phenomenon has resulted in a lack of connection between worlds, making it difficult to put into words but easily evoked through memories.
As Darnell waits, he finds himself consumed by dark tales of perseverance, a desperate attempt to grasp the essence of this twisted world and all its terrors. As she delves into a chilling tale, she becomes intensely curious about the pivotal character’s tactics.
According to Darnell, concern forces you to problem-solve with the sources around you. “Youngsters are eager to develop a skillset like that.”
I don’t want my children’s innocence compromised by the disturbing content found in some educational materials – besides, the harsh realities of war and societal injustices are terrifying enough as it is. I require them to grasp an atmosphere where fear lurks around every corner, the unsettling unknown perpetually lurking in wait, its frigid presence sending shivers coursing down their spines like icy fingers brushing against the nape of the neck.
Perhaps that’s merely the result of my exposure to terrifying stories. Today’s younger readers are likely to forge their own connections with the horror genre and develop unique ways to explore the emotions they seek from it.
Despite the passing of time since R.L. Stine’s iconic Goosebumps series, author Lois Hersh still meets readers eager for a thrilling fright. She recalled, “It’ll be that child, dressed to perfection in the most adorable attire, exuding poise and refinement, who will ask, ‘What’s the scariest book you’ve read?'” “Some people are naturally gifted.”
Professional editor here:
Allyson Felix, an Olympic champion, has teamed up with the non-profit Chamber of Moms to increase parental involvement in school decision-making processes. This initiative is currently available in select regions, including North Carolina, New York, and Los Angeles, where parents can collectively make informed choices about their children’s education.
One Las Vegas high school has chosen to make a difference by closing early on Election Day and encouraging its students to volunteer at the polls instead?
Don’t assume what youngsters want.
My older child and I have been studying together, making a fascinating discovery at the library. While it may not instill fear, this entity does possess an impressive array of intriguing magical abilities.
Last week, I shared my experiences with various projects and assignments from my school days. One parent recounted that her sons consistently faced challenges in keeping track of their assignments and submitting them on time. Having the ability to identify assignments with zero scores has been our most significant gain from utilizing grade-tracking applications. I daily review students’ grades, occasionally notifying them to double-check their own scores. They will subsequently develop a plan to address the gaps.
“For those with exceptional grades, this may not be a pressing concern,” Without constant monitoring, our tech-savvy students would likely accumulate a considerable number of failing grades.
The subsequent Tuesday, within the United States. Has your family ever joined you at the polls to exercise their civic duty together? What specific criteria or qualifications were used to define and recognize their area of expertise in the first place? If you’re a teenager casting your first ballot this year, please take a moment to share with me what it’s like? You’ll receive an email at anna.north@vox.com.
