Don’t Be Scared by Saadia Faruqi, illustrated by Shadia Amin, is a heartfelt graphic novel blending ghostly thrills with friendship, family expectations, and cultural identity. Its eerie folklore and haunted-house mystery make it an appealing choice for middle grade horror fans.
Don’t Be Scared has been added to my September 2026 – New Release Spotlight list on Amazon.
Author: Saadia Faruqi
Illustrator: Shadia Amin
Genre: graphic fiction, supernatural, mystery, scary stories
Setting: Grayson Heights, a small town in Texas, USA
Themes: ghosts, haunted houses, friendship, immigrant families, fathers and sons, making movies, school clubs, film club, mansions, parental expectations, child translating English for parent, multicultural folklore
Protagonist: male, age 12, Pakistani American, 7th grader
Recommended for: Grades 3-8
Starred reviews: SLJ and Booklist
Publication date: September 8, 2026
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Seventh grader Riz Choudhry loves horror movies and dreams of becoming a filmmaker. His widowed father, Baba, would rather see him pursue a more practical career in medicine or law.
Riz finds his people in the school film club, where he befriends Amy and Max. The three first-generation kids bond over movies, demanding immigrant parents, and the responsibilities they carry while helping their families navigate life in the United States.
When the club receives a filmmaking assignment, Riz and his friends decide to investigate Hollister Mansion, a crumbling local landmark rumored to be haunted. Their documentary soon draws them into a mystery involving the long-ago disappearance of the Hollister daughters. With the mansion scheduled for demolition, the friends must finish their film and help preserve the building before it disappears.
WHY IT STANDS OUT
The supernatural mystery is fun, but the story’s real strength is Riz’s layered relationship with Baba. Their disagreements about Riz’s future are complicated by grief, cultural differences, and the prejudice Baba experiences in their Texas town. Pakistani ghost stories unexpectedly give father and son a way to reconnect.
The book also explores the experiences of first-generation kids through Amy (Korean American) and Max (Mexican American). Their stories introduce readers to chilling legends of the Gwisin and La Llorona (my favorite!!!), while Baba shares tales of Pakistan’s Churail of Karsaz Road.
Amin’s vibrant, energetic artwork shifts beautifully into eerie territory during the folklore sequences. With humor, heart, and some genuinely creepy moments, Don’t Be Scared should satisfy readers seeking a spooky story with emotional depth.
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