Alvin Schwartz is well - known for writing 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark'. His ability to create short, impactful spooky tales has made his stories very popular among kids who like a bit of a scare. Neil Gaiman is also great. His 'The Graveyard Book' is filled with unique and sometimes terrifying ideas, like a boy living among the dead. R. L. Stine is another famous author. His 'Goosebumps' series has a wide range of scary stories for kids, with various monsters and creepy situations.
Definitely Alvin Schwartz. His collections of scary stories are full of classic spooky elements that have scared generations of kids. Shirley Jackson is also a great author for scary kids stories. Her story 'The Lottery' has a very disturbing and unexpected ending that can leave kids with a sense of unease. And don't forget Roald Dahl. While not all of his stories are strictly 'scary', some like 'The Witches' have elements that can be quite terrifying for kids, especially the way he describes the witches and their plans.
One of the best is Neil Gaiman. His works often blend the supernatural and the ordinary in a way that is both fascinating and scary. In 'The Graveyard Book', he creates a world that is both magical and full of danger for the main character. Another good author is Edgar Allan Poe. Although his works are more complex and often aimed at older audiences, some of his stories like 'The Tell - Tale Heart' can be adapted or told in a way that is suitable for kids and still very scary. And then there's M. R. James. His ghost stories have a certain elegance and creepiness that can be really appealing to kids who like a more refined type of scare.