The Lurkers

Reach for this book when your child is unsettled by a new home and needs to see their own fears reflected and conquered. Following young Alistair as he moves into an old house with a mysterious garden, The Lurkers is a perfectly spooky tale for middle-grade readers. Alistair is lonely and unnerved by his new surroundings, especially the strange, root-like creatures he discovers hiding in the bushes. The story beautifully externalizes the internal anxiety of moving, transforming abstract fear into a tangible mystery to be solved. It's a great choice for kids who enjoy a suspenseful story that isn't truly terrifying, focusing on courage, the power of friendship, and learning to understand what initially scares us.