Magic Detectives

115 pages. Educational studies indicate a critical lack of scientific awareness in child ren and young adults. Is it because science is no longer perceived as challengin g, interesting, or just plain fun? Looking for scientific facts can be as enjoya ble as playing detective.Joe Nickell realized that a mere series of debunking stories might hold a child's interest, yet not kindle the development of critica l skills. If children could be fully involved in the investigation of strange oc curences . . . if the investigations could have all the thrill of a ghost story yet reinforce rational over irrational thought, and science over superstition . . . then the book as a whole would be an appealing introduction to logic, critic al analysis, and the scientific method in action.In The Magic Detectives, Nickel l presents thirty paranormal investigations in the form of brief mystery stori es. Clues are embedded in each story; at the end of each account, the child can turn the book upside down to reveal the conclusion that professional magic dete ctives have already reached. Included are examinations of the mummy's curse, bigfoot, haunted stairways, the Amityville Horror, the Loch Ness monster, polter geists, and more.The note to teachers which follows the text of the book recom mends that The Magic Detectives be used as an illustrative aid for teaching valu able skills to young people. Nickell makes specific suggestions for assignments, and includes a list of references consulted which can serve as a list for furth er reading.…