--- title: Six Spooky Stories for 11 Plus Students description: "With pumpkins picked and trick-or-treat tubs filled, here's our round up of the best Halloween reads for this half-term!" url: https://owltutors.co.uk/six-spooky-stories-for-11-plus-students/ type: Advice article author: Hollie (Owl Tutors tutor) published: 2022-10-21 updated: 2023-01-20 subjects: [11 Plus] compiled: 2026-11-10 --- # Six Spooky Stories for 11 Plus Students In this blog, Hollie suggests six spooky stories that 11 Plus candidates should be able to tackle in Year 5 ahead of their exams. By [Hollie](https://owltutors.co.uk/tutor/17184/) · 21 October 2022 · updated 20 January 2023 · 2 min read #### With pumpkins picked and trick-or-treat tubs filled, here's our round up of the best Halloween reads for this half-term! 1. **[The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane](https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-mystery-of-black-hollow-lane/julia-nobel/9781492691549)** - By Julia Nobel Full of hidden clues and secret societies, this boarding school mystery follows twelve-year-old Emmy on her search to solve the disappearance of her father. 2. **[Witches](https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-witches/roald-dahl/quentin-blake/9780241578179)** - By Roald Dahl Hidden witches compelled to 'squelch' unnecessary children, with a plethora of film accompaniments, means Roald Dhal's classic is the perfect page turner to hook young readers this half-term. 3. **[The House at the Edge of Magic](https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-at-Edge-Magic/dp/1406395315/ref=asc_df_1406395315/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=427990131072&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7341561550316217985&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045125&hvtargid=pla-1131210728392&psc=1&th=1&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=103526072590&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=427990131072&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7341561550316217985&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045125&hvtargid=pla-1131210728392)**- By Amy Sparkes A little more spell-binding, than scary, 'The House at the Edge of Magic' is a light, laughable read full of wizardry and adventure: a perfect starter to spark that creative writing for our 11+ pupils! 4. **[Escape Room](https://www.waterstones.com/book/escape-room/christopher-edge/9781788007962)** - By Christopher Edge Appealing to the gamers and problem-solvers, this thriller really is an 'edge of your seat' kind of read as twelve-year-old Ami encounters twists, turns and locked doors on a quest to 'find the answer', before it's too late. 5. **[The Canterville Ghost & Other Stories](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Canterville-Ghost-Stories-Childrens-Classics/dp/1847496121/ref=asc_df_1847496121/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310568540398&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6504816351037956078&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045125&hvtargid=pla-453558514020&psc=1&th=1&psc=1)**[ - By Oscar Wilde](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Canterville-Ghost-Stories-Childrens-Classics/dp/1847496121/ref=asc_df_1847496121/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310568540398&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6504816351037956078&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045125&hvtargid=pla-453558514020&psc=1&th=1&psc=1) A re-worked 'easy-read' version of Oscar Wilde's classic - this is a totally accessible, and truly terrifying, ghostly tale, placed alongside three other comic mystery stories: 'Lord Arthur Savile's Crime', 'The Sphinx without a Secret' and 'The Model Millionaire. 6. **[Malamander](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Malamander-Legends-Eerie-Thomas-Taylor/dp/1406386286)** - By Thomas Taylor Set in the atmospheric 'eerie on sea', this mythic tale is full of imagination and adventure with chilling chapters and a spooky, secretive side. ## About the author - **[Hollie](https://owltutors.co.uk/tutor/17184/)**: From £140.00 per hour. 7 Plus, 8 Plus, 11 Plus, 13 Plus, Other School Entrance, English. As a former Head of English of a top independent school, Hollie has successfully supported over 150 pupils to achieve 11+, 13+ and scholarship places at... Teaches: In person, Online. Availability as of 10 November 2026: contact Owl Tutors to check. ## Related posts - [11 Plus creative writing topics](https://owltutors.co.uk/11-plus-creative-writing-topics/): If you are preparing for the 11 Plus exam and want to enhance your creative writing skills, use these prompts to help. These engaging and exam-style prompts will help you to focus on one story and ask you questions to expand the length of your writing and ensure you achieve your best. - [A Guide to the 11 Plus London Consortium Exams](https://owltutors.co.uk/a-guide-to-the-new-11-plus-london-consortium-exams/): In this article, experienced independent school teacher and tutor Jess, presents an overview of the new 11 plus examinations at London Consortium Schools. - [The 12 books of Christmas for 11 Plus candidates](https://owltutors.co.uk/the-12-books-of-christmas-for-11-plus-candidates/): Hollie suggests some festive fables which 11 Plus Candidates should be able to tackle in Year 5 ahead of their exams. Our take on "The 12 Days of Christmas"... 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