10 Zombie Books For Younger Readers (Kid Lit, Middle Grade, and YA options)

Zombies are one of my favourite subgenres of horror movies and books/graphic novels. I can’t get enough of these creepy monsters, and I absolutely love kid-friendly versions which add a fun layer of quirk and terror without too much intense gore. So, to meld my love of kids/MG/YA books and this scary creature, I’ve compiled a list of great books for elementary, middle grade, and early teen readers!

1. The Undertakers (series) by Ty Drago

   This thoughtful series follows 12-year-old Will Ritter as he navigates the post-apocalyptic world in this coming-of-age story. Will is separated from his friends and family, and falls in line with the Undertakers, a group of teenaged zombie hunters. Underground societies of teenagers, plenty of gross-out horror, drama and intrigue, and plenty of thrills make this a must-have for Middle-Grade and YA readers.

2. My Rotten Life: Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie (Series) by David Lubar
   Nathan Abercrombie is having the worst day. He gets left off the party guest-list for the coolest gal in school, is last pick in pays ed, and then he gets doused with a scientific serum that turns him into the undead. Nathan makes the best of his situation by pulling all-nighters and gaming til dawn. He’s impervious to pain and thus immune to bullies. Even with all that excitement, though, Nathan begins to feel a little uneasy and wonders if something’s missing in his life! This cheeky, humorous series is sure to delight readers from ages 8-12!

3. No Zombies Allowed by Matt Novak

   This goofy read aloud story is perfect for celebrating Halloween all year round! Two wacky witches are setting up for a Halloween party, but who will be invited? These pals want to ensure they have the greatest shindig around. If they’re to pull it off, they’ll have to ask the most courteous, well-mannered guests! Welp, guess that means no werewolves or zombies or swamp creatures or…Yikes! Perfect for kids 7 and under.

4. Night of the Zombie Goldfish by Dr. Roach

   Judd and Zak are best friends, and regular old humans. They live in regular old houses, in a very normal neighborhood, and live very regular lives with their very ordinary goldfish. When the boys accidentally feed experimental materials to their fish instead of food, chaos ensues! The fish begin growing and growing and growing… Perfect for kids under 12.

5. Rot & Ruin (Series) by Jonathan Maberry

   Teenager Benny and his brother Tom are tasked with helping to run the family business: killing zombies, that is! When the brothers head into the wastelands of the infected, also known as “The Rot and Ruin”, they learn that sometimes the real monsters aren’t the creatures at all… Perfect for ages 12+ into the YA crowd.

6. Dead City by James Ponti
   Molly wants to live a regular life and experience her childhood like any other kid. Unfortunately, she’s recruited to the zombie hunting ranks to follow in her mother’s footsteps, and she’s got big shoes to fill! Her mother’s reputation has set the bar high for Molly. She’s got to find a way to balance life and her job helping control the zombie hordes. Can she find a way to balance life as well as being an elite member of the OMEGA zombie control team and keep New York City Safe, too?

7. The Last Kids on Earth (Series) Max Brallier

   Jack Sullivan and his merry band of zombie fighting best friends must work together to save the world by fighting monsters and other terrifying beasts. It’s got a little bit of everything from comedy to drama to romance to horror! This series of illustrated novels is perfect as a read aloud or a graphic-novel style chapter book. Now an animated series on Netflix, too! Ages 7+.

8. Better Off Undead by James Preller
   After meeting a terrible fate from a bicycle accident without a helmet, Adrian Lazarus gets a new lease on life. He’s undead and has a second chance! Adrian has always felt like a bit of an outsider, but his new life is a little more difficult to navigate. When he returns to the world he notices it’s not just his zombie status that’s changed, but so has everything around him. The world just doesn’t seem quite right! It’s up to Adrian and his new friends to solve the mystery and save the world from nefarious forces.

9. Bartholomew Buggins by Crystal Marcos

   This whimsical rhyming picture book is written in verse, and is the perfect quirky read aloud for families. Bartholomew isn’t like the other zombies, he’s interested in a different sort of life — he just wants to smell the flowers, eat delicious cookies, and read some great books! A no-nightmares zombie story for children 3 to 6.

10. The Zombie Chasers (Series) by John Kloepfer

    Zack Clark’s hosting a sleepover when suddenly a zombie epidemic turns everything topsy-turvy. Zack’s family and neighbors have been turned! Together with his sister’s bff, Madison, and his best friend, Rice, they come up with a plan to defeat the undead armies. Jam-packed with black and white illustrations, wacky madcap humor, and plenty of gross, gory fight scenes. Perfect for Middle-Grade/YA readers.