I know a lot of people have requested books like Stranger Things, but a lot of what gets recommended is Stephen King and Dean Koontz and stuff. I don't mind the gore in Stranger Things the show because it doesn't focus on that and the show is hopeful. The kids win because they are optimistic in a way that only kids can be, and the show focuses on that sort of found family/tight-knit friendship group thing, but still has horror and people still die.
Are there books that fit this bill without being full-on R-rated horror? This is why I also put The Goonies and ET in the title. I also absolutely do not want anything that has rape in it.
EDIT: I took out one thing because it was a spoiler for another book, oops.
by Abject_Ad_6640