Once They See You: 13 Stories to Shiver and Shock

By: Allen, Josh

Published by Holiday House, 2026-07-28

There's no escaping these deliciously creepy tales of everyday horror, perfect for fans of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Once you open this book, you're doomed . . . Cursed to stay up late, savoring every line of these terrifying stories. Go ahead and try to resist. The Night Things won't let you get far. Master storyteller Josh Allen, hailed as the "heir-apparent to Alvin Schwartz," brings thirteen nightmare scenarios to life in this page-turning collection. From a shiny abandoned bike, to an innocent classroom icebreaker, to a piano recital that requires unusual sacrifices, there's no end to the shocking twists on everyday reality. In Allen's wondrous world, which looks an awful like our own, danger waits behind every doorway . . . even in the most ordinary places. Kids eager for age-appropriate horror will relish every thrill and chill. Eerie illustrations by award-winning artist Sarah Coleman accompany the stories, packaged in a stunning hardcover edition complete with a glow-in-the-dark jacket. Readers will sleep with one eye open! Don't miss the author and illustrator's other creepy collections: Out to Get You and Only If You Dare.