Books like 'Second Star to the Fright'
Readers who enjoyed Second Star to the Fright by Vera Strange also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
fantasy horror action / adventure retellings spooky children mythical-creatures outlaws paranormal magic
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Undying by Steve McHugh
Rated: 4.70 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA new chapter in the Hellequin Chronicles Saga.Nearly fifty years ago, the small Welsh village of Anfarwol was the scene of a series of brutal murders. Since then, multiple people have met with accidents, or gone missing never to be found, while those responsible have evaded detection for decades... -
![Wraithblade by S.M. Boyce]()
Wraithblade by S.M. Boyce
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsConnor Magnuson is going to conquer Death itself.A penniless drifter, Connor has survived the last eight years alone in a cursed woodland teeming with monsters that eat grown men whole. Shunned, forgotten, and with nowhere else to go, he looks death in the eye every night and draws his sword to face it. The forest, after all, burned the fear out of him long ago...Categorized as:
magic mythical-creatures paranormal retellings action-adventure adult audiobook book -
![The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams]()
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsOnce upon a time, there was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything! But one autumn night, while walking in the woods, the little old lady heard...clomp, clomp, shake, shake, clap, clap.And the little old lady who was not afraid of anything had the scare of her life! With bouncy refrains and classic art, this timeless Halloween story is perfect for reading aloud... -
![Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood]()
Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsIn this story, seven sweet children are transformed by an evil witch into specific types of food. “The inherent drama of the story, combined with the haunting images the art provides, gives the picture book a timeless quality... -
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![Emily Windsnap and the Pirate Prince by Liz Kessler]()
Emily Windsnap and the Pirate Prince by Liz Kessler
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsEmily Windsnap ends up surrounded by pirates — and on a life-changing adventure — in the eighth installment of the New York Times best-selling series.Traveling home by cruise ship should be a relaxing break after Emily’s latest adventure, but things take a turn when the ship is overtaken by a pirate king and his crew... -
![Heat of the Lava Dragon by Tracey West]()
Heat of the Lava Dragon by Tracey West
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsDrake and Ana must find a Lava Dragon in the latest adventure in this action-packed, bestselling series! Pick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina...Categorized as:
magic children mythical-creatures paranormal retellings fantasy children-books fiction -
![Gargantis by Thomas Taylor]()
Gargantis by Thomas Taylor
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsIn the second fantasy set in Eerie-on-Sea, Herbert and Violet team up to solve the mystery of the Gargantis — an ancient creature of the deep with the power to create life-threatening storms.There's a storm brewing over Eerie-on-Sea, and the fisherfolk say a monster is the cause... -
![Don't Push the Button! by Bill Cotter]()
Don't Push the Button! by Bill Cotter
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsAn enhanced eBook guaranteed to cause giggles! There’s only one rule in Larry’s book: don’t push the button. (Seriously, don’t even think about it!) It does look kind of nice though…Okay, quick. No one is looking. — push the button. Uh, oh... -
![Amelia Fang and the Rainbow Rangers by Laura Ellen Anderson]()
Amelia Fang and the Rainbow Rangers by Laura Ellen Anderson
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsReaders graduating from the Princess in Black and Isadora Moon series will love the illustrated adventures of Amelia Fang, a sparkly little vampire girl in a dark and gloomy world! Amelia is going on a trip with her Rainbow Rangers troop (led by unicorns Ricky and Graham) to Sugarplum Island!But while exploring to earn their badges, Amelia and the gang stumble upon an ancient curse - and are...Categorized as:
children mythical-creatures paranormal retellings action-adventure animals audiobook book -
![The Old Man of the Temple by D.W. Hawkins]()
The Old Man of the Temple by D.W. Hawkins
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAn archaic power awakens, and the shadows of antiquity conceal a terrible truth. Fugitives from the Conclave, Dormael and his friends flee with the armlet in their possession. Hounded by their former allies, they undertake a dangerous trek to an ancient ruin—a place where the only things older than the stones are the secrets buried beneath them... -
![The Knife in the Dark by D.W. Hawkins]()
The Knife in the Dark by D.W. Hawkins
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSanctuary beckons, but it hides a deadly secret within. Dormael and D’Jenn bring a dangerous artifact home to the Conclave, hoping to answer the riddle behind an ancient mystery... -
![Snap of the Super-Goop: #10 by Troy Cummings]()
Snap of the Super-Goop: #10 by Troy Cummings
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsRip and Nikki think Alexander is going crazy when he keeps seeing monsters they've already defeated, but he has to convince his friends there might be a new monster if he wants to protect the town and notebook. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Spotlight is a division of ABDO... -
![Bloom of the Flower Dragon by Tracey West]()
Bloom of the Flower Dragon by Tracey West
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsDrake and Worm must help a Flower Dragon protect his home in the latest action-packed installment of this New York Times bestselling series! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers...Categorized as:
children mythical-creatures paranormal retellings fantasy fiction children-books dragons -
![Charge of the Lightning Bugs by Troy Cummings, Niloufar Amanzadeh]()
Charge of the Lightning Bugs by Troy Cummings, Niloufar Amanzadeh
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsStermont's latest monster is SHOCKING!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina... -
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![All Dwarf'ed Up by Martha Carr, Michael Anderle]()
All Dwarf'ed Up by Martha Carr, Michael Anderle
Rated: 4.54 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsDwarf the Bounty Hunter’s going to Portland, Oregon, and the hounds are going with him.Eight humans all marked with dark magic are losing their mind, terrified of a demon that doesn’t exist. Keep Portland Weird just took on a whole new meaning. They need a bounty hunter.Johnny Walker is ready to clean up the streets and get back to his quiet front porch in the Everglades. He’s that good...Categorized as:
magic mythical-creatures paranormal retellings action-adventure adult audiobook book -
![If I Had a Gryphon by Vikki VanSickle, Cale Atkinson]()
If I Had a Gryphon by Vikki VanSickle, Cale Atkinson
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsSam just got a hamster for a pet. She's not really impressed. The hamster isn't very exciting--he mostly eats and sleeps and gets his shavings wet. BORING!After reading a book about mythological creatures, Sam gets some ideas for more exciting pets. But she soon realizes that taking care of these magical beasts might not be as wonderful as she though...Categorized as:
children magic mythical-creatures paranormal retellings action-adventure animals book -
![A Darkening of Dragons by S.A. Patrick]()
A Darkening of Dragons by S.A. Patrick
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsEmbark on an epic, dragon-filled adventure where music has the power of enchantment in Book One of the Songs of Magic trilogy.Thirteen-year-old piper, Patch Brightwater, is a boy in disgrace. Thrown in jail for playing a forbidden spell, he is no one's idea of a hero...Categorized as:
magic children retellings mythical-creatures paranormal fantasy middle-grade dragons -
![Darkbeam Part II by Adrienne Woods]()
Darkbeam Part II by Adrienne Woods
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsPlease note that this is not for YA Audience like the Dragonian Series Everyone knows the Rubicon is predestined for evil, and the alpha dragon does nothing to change their opinions of him. What they don't know is that he harbors a secret, a secret that can set him free, but also trap him forever... -
![The Mage of Trelian by Michelle Knudsen]()
The Mage of Trelian by Michelle Knudsen
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsDragon fire, dark magic, and the bonds of friendship clash in a thrilling finale to the middle-grade fantasy trilogy by best-selling author Michelle Knudsen.Apprentice mage Calen shocked everyone when he disappeared—apparently willingly—with Krelig, the incredibly powerful and evil mage intent on destroying the Magistatum and forcing the world to submit to his rule...Categorized as:
children magic mythical-creatures paranormal retellings action-adventure animals book -
![Attack of the Trolls by Tommy Donbavand]()
Attack of the Trolls by Tommy Donbavand
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhy is our trio beset with trolls? The shrieks keep coming as the spine-tingling series surges ahead! Luke, Resus, and Cleo are eager to begin their new quest. First stop, Count Negatov's castle! As the three make their way through the bleak, murky wilds of Transylvania, it looks like this adventure will be dull, but easy. Until they are kidnapped by trolls... -
![A Storm of Smoke and Flame by Marion Blackwood]()
A Storm of Smoke and Flame by Marion Blackwood
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhat would you do to protect your home? Lie? Manipulate? Kill?War awaits across the sea. In order to ensure their survival, the Oncoming Storm and a band of misfits set sail for the land beyond the horizon... -
![Guarding the Invisible Dragons by Tracey West]()
Guarding the Invisible Dragons by Tracey West
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsDrake and the other Dragon Masters must help save a nest of baby Invisible Dragons in the latest action-packed installment of this New York Times bestselling series! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers...Categorized as:
children mythical-creatures paranormal retellings fantasy children-books dragons action-adventure -
![Cirque Du Freak Boxed Set #2 (Cirque Du Freak, #5-8) by Darren Shan]()
Cirque Du Freak Boxed Set #2 (Cirque Du Freak, #5-8) by Darren Shan
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsOffers four more volumes in the frightening saga of a young boy whose visit to a mysterious freak show leads him on a journey into a dark world of vampires...Categorized as:
children mythical-creatures paranormal action-adventure book contemporary fiction horror -
![Amelia Fang and the Memory Thief by Laura Ellen Anderson]()
Amelia Fang and the Memory Thief by Laura Ellen Anderson
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThis spooky season, discover a new series for fans of Lemony Snicket, Roald Dahl and the Adams family. Welcome to the world of Nocturnia, where darkness reigns supreme, glitter is terrifying, and unicorns are the stuff of nightmares! This is the third book about Amelia Fang, a sparkly little vampire in a dark and gloomy world...Categorized as:
children magic mythical-creatures paranormal retellings spooky action-adventure animals -
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![Margaret's Unicorn by Briony May Smith]()
Margaret's Unicorn by Briony May Smith
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMargaret's whole world changes when her family moves to a cottage by the sea to be near her grandma. One evening, Margaret spots a mist over the water. No, that's not mist...clouds maybe? No, they're unicorns descending onto the shore! They vanish as quickly as they'd appeared, but accidentally leave behind a baby, tangled in the weeds...Categorized as:
children mythical-creatures paranormal retellings action-adventure animals book children-books -
![The Tale of the Firebird by Gennady Spirin]()
The Tale of the Firebird by Gennady Spirin
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIn all the world there is said to be nothing more beautiful than the Firebird. When Ivan-Tsarevitch, youngest son of the Tsar, goes on a quest for the amazing bird, he finds himself flying over mountains and woods on a talking wolf, confronting a wicked Baba Yaga, and rescuing an enchanted princess from Koshchei the Immortal...Categorized as:
children magic mythical-creatures paranormal retellings action-adventure animals book -
![Blaze The Ice Dragon by Adam Blade]()
Blaze The Ice Dragon by Adam Blade
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe volcano at Stonewin is frozen over and the lands are blasted with a deadly cold. This is the work of Blaze the Ice Dragon, sent by wicked Wizard Malvel to thwart Tom's quest to save his father... -
![Shadowghast by Thomas Taylor, Tom Booth]()
Shadowghast by Thomas Taylor, Tom Booth
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsIn the third mysterious tale of Eerie-on-Sea, it’s almost Ghastly Night, and the Shadowghast—an ancient spirit in a lantern—lurks in wait for the power to enslave the town... -
![Amelia Fang and the Unicorns of Glitteropolis by Laura Ellen Anderson]()
Amelia Fang and the Unicorns of Glitteropolis by Laura Ellen Anderson
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe second book in a hilarious illustrated middle-grade POB series for reluctant readers starring a vampire girl, Amelia Fang. Welcome to the world of Nocturnia, where darkness reigns supreme, glitter is terrifying, and unicorns are the stuff of nightmares!Amelia Fang and her friends love their dark and gloomy world of Nocturnia...Categorized as:
children magic mythical-creatures paranormal retellings action-adventure animals audiobook -
![Late as a Rabbit by Kendra Moreno]()
Late as a Rabbit by Kendra Moreno
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsFollow the white rabbit. . .Tick.Jupiter only ever wanted an adventure, but she never should have gone searching for one. It finds her in the form of a white rabbit with silver eyes.Tock.When that same white rabbit turns out to be the White Rabbit from the story books, she can’t contain her curiosity. She follows him down the rabbit hole and drops right into Wonderland... -
![Memento Mori by Amicus Arcane]()
Memento Mori by Amicus Arcane
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe eerie Amicus Arcane is on the hunt for writers, ghost writers, of course, to tell one more story--the scariest story of all. Do you dare join him on this journey? Do you dare enter the Haunted Mansion...? Amicus Arcane is about to retire from his position as the ghost librarian of the Haunted Mansion... -
![The Adventurers Guild by Zack Loran Clark, Nick Eliopulos]()
The Adventurers Guild by Zack Loran Clark, Nick Eliopulos
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsDisney-Hyperion has acquired world rights to a middle-grade fantasy series called The Adventurers Guild, by Zack Clark and Nick Eliopulos, in a three-book deal...Categorized as:
children magic mythical-creatures paranormal retellings action-adventure animals audiobook -
![The Locker Ate Lucy by Jack Chabert]()
The Locker Ate Lucy by Jack Chabert
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsSam Graves's school is ALIVE!In the second book in the Eerie Elementary series, Sam Graves's friend Lucy disappears into her locker! Sam and his friend Antonio follow a trail of clues that leads them through the locker and deep inside the school... -
![Rokk the Walking Mountain by Adam Blade]()
Rokk the Walking Mountain by Adam Blade
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIn order to free the Mistress of the Beasts from the spell she is under, Tom travels to a mountain town that has been devastated by a rockslide... -
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![Stealth the Ghost Panther by Adam Blade]()
Stealth the Ghost Panther by Adam Blade
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMalvel's last beast has arrived at King Hugos castle. Stealth, the Ghost Panther traps his victims and turns them evil. Tom must find a way to defeat him and get the final piece of the Amulet that Stealth wears around his neck... -
![Vedra and Krimon: Twin Beasts of Avantia by Adam Blade]()
Vedra and Krimon: Twin Beasts of Avantia by Adam Blade
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsJoin our hero Tom for the first Beast Quest special edition: two stories in... -
![The Unready Queen by William Ritter]()
The Unready Queen by William Ritter
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHuman and goblin brothers Cole and Tinn are finding their way back to normal after their journey to the heart of the Oddmire. Normal, unfortunately, wants nothing to do with them. Fable, the daughter of the Queen of the Deep Dark, has her first true friends in the brothers...Categorized as:
children magic paranormal retellings action-adventure book children-books contemporary -
![The Secret History of Mermaids and Creatures of the Deep by Ari Berk]()
The Secret History of Mermaids and Creatures of the Deep by Ari Berk
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFrom the loremaster who brought us THE SECRET HISTORY OF GIANTS comes an intriguing new chronicle revealing the mysterious ways of merfolk.Since ancient times, seafarers and coast-dwellers the world over have reported encounters with merpeople. Variously known as Finfolk, Dinny Mara, Nereids, Blue Men, and Merrymaids, merfolk have been the source of both gifts and disasters for humankind...Categorized as:
children mythical-creatures paranormal retellings action-adventure animals book children-books -
![Gustav Gloom and the Nightmare Vault by Adam-Troy Castro]()
Gustav Gloom and the Nightmare Vault by Adam-Troy Castro
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIn Gustav Gloom and the Nightmare Vault, Fernie and Gustav find themselves battling another shadowy foe--The Shadow Eater. He is after one thing, The Nightmare Vault, which his master, the evil Lord Obsidian, will use to unleash the most terrifying and threatening shadows into the world... -
![Red Tide by Marc Turner]()
Red Tide by Marc Turner
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe Rubyholt Isles is a shattered nation of pirate-infested islands and treacherous waterways shielding the seaboards of Erin Elal and the Sabian League. The Augerans approach the Warlord of the Isles, seeking passage for their invasion fleet through Rubyholt waters... -
![Equinus the Spirit Horse by Adam Blade]()
Equinus the Spirit Horse by Adam Blade
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFight the Beasts. Fear the magic Equinus the Spirit Horse crashes through the forests of the Forbidden Land, stealing the life force of other creatures... -
![Rashouk the Cave Troll by Adam Blade]()
Rashouk the Cave Troll by Adam Blade
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsLurking in the Dead Peaks is Rashouk the Cave Troll. The Ghost Beast smells out his victims' fear ' and turns them to stone. It will take all of Tom's courage to capture Rashouk's piece of the Amulet of Avantia, but failure means never seeing his father again.. -
![Ghost of a Chance by Susan Maupin Schmid]()
Ghost of a Chance by Susan Maupin Schmid
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsInside an enchanted castle, there’s a closet—a closet with one hundred magical dresses that only Darling Dimple can wear. Each one disguises her as somebody else. It turns out that Darling needs disguises. A thief is on the loose! Someone is causing an uproar among the servants—moving things around, stealing clothes from the laundry, and even pocketing Princess Mariposa’s jewels... -
![Orlind by Charlotte E. English]()
Orlind by Charlotte E. English
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsOrlind. Locked behind impassable mountains, buried under the weight of a vast - and terrible - history, the Seventh Realm has remained a mystery all the long ages through.Until now.For the Lokant sorcerers' power and might grows by the day - and all their thought is bent upon Orlind... -
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![The Dragon at the North Pole by Kate Klimo]()
The Dragon at the North Pole by Kate Klimo
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe Dragon Keepers series is perfect for readers who've finished Mary Pope Osborne's Magic Tree House series but who aren't quite ready for Harry Potter...Categorized as:
children magic mythical-creatures paranormal retellings action-adventure animals book -
![A Witch's Feast by C.N. Crawford, Carlos Quevedo]()
A Witch's Feast by C.N. Crawford, Carlos Quevedo
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThere are new rules governing the country--namely, no magic. But Fiona Forzese has never been good with rules... After a ghostly army terrorized Boston, the Ranulf family say they'll help Fiona and her classmates finish up junior year. They say their old Virginia plantation is a safe haven. All Fiona and her secret coven have to to do is show up to a few math and English classes... -
![The Witches of Willow Cove by Josh Roberts]()
The Witches of Willow Cove by Josh Roberts
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIt’s not easy being a teenage witch. Seventh grader Abby Shepherd is just getting the hang of it when weird stuff starts happening all around her hometown of Willow Cove. Green slime bubbling to life in science class. Giant snakes slithering around the middle school gym. Her best friend suddenly keeping secrets and telling lies... -
![Brute-Cake: A Branches Book by Troy Cummings]()
Brute-Cake: A Branches Book by Troy Cummings
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA brand-new, monster-filled, action-packed, early chapter book series from the bestselling author-illustrator of The Notebook of Doom!Pick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers...Categorized as:
children paranormal retellings action-adventure book children-books fiction friendship -
![Black Dragon Codex by R.D. Henham]()
Black Dragon Codex by R.D. Henham
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhat happens when an evil black dragon becomes your ally?Snatched from the street by a young black dragon, Satia seems destined to end her life as a snack. But her position as a menu item quickly changes when her black dragon captor runs into two young red dragons and a wanna-be Dragonlord. In a quick twist of events, the black dragon is transformed into an ordinary teenaged boy...Categorized as:
children mythical-creatures paranormal retellings action-adventure book children-books dragons -
![Tokyo Night Parade by J.P. Takahashi, Minako Tomigahara]()
Tokyo Night Parade by J.P. Takahashi, Minako Tomigahara
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSpirited Away meets Where the Wild Things Are by way of yokai mythology in this enchanting picture book by debut author J. P. Takahashi and illustrator Minako Tomigahara. The night parade is about to begin . . . The ground thunders in Tokyo. A gust of wind blows. The pitter patter of paws and claws draws closer. The air is thick with swirling, swooping demons...Categorized as:
children retellings mythical-creatures paranormal fantasy children-books myths monsters
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