Are Haunted Houses Real? (Unexplained: What's the Evidence?)

Presents famous haunted houses such as the Borley Rectory, the White House, and the Amityville horror, and briefly examines the claims, some of which have no scientific explanation and some of which were hoaxes.

By now, there are more paranormal kids’ books than there are documented paranormal experiences, but the Unexplained: What’s the Evidence? series carves a welcome niche by introducing a healthy dose of skepticism. The design here is clean and works in concert with short sentences and brief “Q&A” factoids. Are Haunted Houses Real? speaks of creepy goings-on from ancient Greece to the infamous Winchester mansion. Emphasis is put on hoaxes, including a teen in 1997 who had reporters going gaga for his invented ghost. The series’ major weakness is a periodic disconnect between the text and associated photographs—some are unrelated and might mislead. Overall, though, this is solid stuff for teaching high-interest critical thinking. Grades 1-3. --Daniel Kraus