Families who loved Haunted House by Ari Avatar often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is facing social pressure to be 'brave' or when they are struggling with a neighborhood or school bully. It is particularly effective for reluctant readers who feel more at home in a digital world than a library, as it uses the familiar aesthetic of Roblox to explore real-world social dynamics. The story follows Ari and his friends as they accept a dare from the school bully to explore a mysterious house, only to find themselves trapped in a series of puzzles. While the setting is spooky, the core of the book is about the strength found in friendship and the importance of teamwork when facing fears. It normalizes the feeling of being scared while providing a safe, humorous environment to process those emotions. It is perfectly aged for 7 to 10 year olds who want the thrill of a 'scary' story without the lasting nightmares, using a blocky, game-like lens to keep the stakes feeling manageable.