Families who loved Shadow Grave by Marina Cohen often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent should reach for this book when their child is grappling with generalized anxiety or a persistent feeling of being different and misunderstood. Arlo, a young boy plagued by panic attacks and strange visions, finds himself stranded in a mysterious town called Foggy Basin after a car accident. While the story is wrapped in an eerie, supernatural mystery, it is fundamentally a mirror for children who feel that their internal fears are invisible to the adults around them. Marina Cohen uses the genre of horror to externalize internal struggles, allowing children to see Arlo find bravery not by getting rid of his fear, but by navigating through it. It is a haunting yet empowering choice for middle grade readers who enjoy a good chill but need to see a protagonist who shares their sensitive nature.