Haunted Histories

Gr 4–7—Virgil Dante, Ghostarian (a historian who finds ghosts in creepy places and lets them tell their stories), his cursed pocket watch, and his faithful raven travel to some of the world's most haunted and eerie locales. The chapter on castles reveals secrets on how to attack and defend one while discussing some of their intriguing history and famous rulers. The section on dungeons and jails provides readers with a rogues' gallery and famous prisons throughout the world. Readers will find the "Crime & Punishment" chart enlightening. For example, telling bad jokes resulted in having one's tongue burned with a hot poker and then pulled out. A section on children in prison and their workhouse activities is also included. "Palaces" provides information on Henry VIII and Hampton Court, including a recipe for fancy roasted peacock. "Graveyards" gives an intriguing family history in stone-from heraldic symbols and their secret codes to the importance of monuments. Famous authors such as William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens sporadically offer relevant quotes. Black-and-white cartoon drawings appear on almost every page with the occasional joke between characters to lighten the mood. Sure to lure reluctant readers.—Krista Welz, North Bergen Public Library, NJ