The Importance of Monsters: How Engaging in the Horror Genre Sparks Bravery
“I want a scary book!” Middle-grade readers crave horror, but finding age-appropriate, high-quality titles can be challenging. This session explores the power of horror in shaping young readers' bravery, resilience, and empathy. Discover why kids need these stories and leave with a curated list of recent, must-read middle-grade horror books to keep them engaged and inspired.
About the Presenter:
Kit Elstad is an educator and school librarian with 12+ years of experience fostering a love of reading, research, and information literacy. They are also the co-owner of Next Chapter Media, which produces the bi-weekly podcast Read, Eat, Travel, Repeat, featuring wide-ranging book discussions and author interviews. Kit believes deeply in the power of stories to inspire curiosity, build empathy, and create meaningful connections.