Kid Tested: If They Like The Last Kids on Earth
If your kid is a fan of The Last Kids on Earth series or a fan of horror mixed with humor, I've unearthed more middle-grade series and books they will want to delve into.
The Last Kids on Earth is about Jack and his friends who are fighting to stay alive in a dystopian future. After being abandoned by his foster parents in the wake of a monster apocalypse, Jack forms a band of survivors who use gamer strategies to stay alive. Kids love the snappy dialogue, gross humor and chapters mixed with comics.
Graveyard Girls written by Lisi Harrison & Daniel Kraus, illustrated by Flavia Sorrentino
This suspenseful and scary middle-grade series follows a group of girls who try to solve mysteries. Each of the sixth-graders has a unique personality that kids can relate to. These amusing, fast-paced horror books are quick reads.
In the first book, 1-2-3-4, I Declare a Thumb War, you meet Whisper, Frannie, Sophie, Gemma and Zuzu, friends who tell eerie tales by night and navigate middle school drama by day. In Misery Falls, Oregon, it is the 100th anniversary of the electrocution of the town’s most infamous killer, Silas Hoke, and the town is abuzz. When a mysterious text message leads the girls to the cemetery things get even creepier.
"The humor is strong throughout, and the story is strongest when keeping readers guessing about what's real – both in the interpersonal conflicts and the seemingly supernatural happenings. . . . A good blend of spooky and silly." –Kirkus Reviews
Fart Quest written by Aaron Reynolds & illustrated by Cam Kendell
This fantasy series is more funny than scary, but it does include supernatural mysteries and as the title implies plenty of kid-approved gross humor.
After their masters are vaporized in a goblin battle three lowly apprentices Fart, Pan and Moxie impersonate their mentors to be heroes of the realm. But they soon realize they need more than a fancy robe, magic staff and book of magical beasts to be real heroes. They need a quest!
When The Great and Powerful Kevin calls for help seeking the coveted Golden Llama and its magical golden fart, young Fart and his friends jump at the chance and embark on the journey.
"Aaron Reynolds, along with sumptuous illustrations by Cam Kendall, has masterfully crafted a love letter to Humor and Fantasy in the form of an adventure that itself takes us back to our childhoods when every day was a quest to find acceptance, understanding, and, perhaps most importantly, friendship. I sincerely look forward to future installments with relish." ―Nick Bruel, creator of the Bad Kitty series
Tales from Cabin 23 by Justina Ireland, Hanna Alkaf & Yamile Saied Méndez
This kids horror series is full of monsters, urban legends and relatable characters. Each book is written by a different author whose main characters share their identity.
In the first book, The Boo Hag Flex by Justina Ireland, Tasha has just moved to the Shady Pines trailer park. She hears rumors of a terrifying creature sucking the life from its victims. Tasha fears the stories are true and that danger is close.
"Dripping with tension, this is a briskly paced, pulse-pounding tale that’s just as heartfelt as it is exciting, with engaging characters who will keep readers invested in the book’s outcome. A hair-raising good time." - Kirkus Reviews
