Customer Reviews

The Best Ghost Stories Ever (Scholastic Classics)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have read many collections of ghost stories, but this is by far the finest I have ever encountered. Judging from his selection of tales, the editor is clearly a man not only of great intelligence but also knowledge in his field and exquisite editorial skills. Buy this book for chilly October nights, snowy winters by the fire, and all your summer camping trips. An invaluable source for the scary!

Contents:

***The Empty House by Algernon Blackwell......1

***The Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs......21

***The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving......34

***The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allen Poe......70

***The Judge's House by Bram Stoker......78

***A Ghost Story by Jerome K. Jerome......100

***The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman......108

***The Romance of Certain Old Clothes by Henry James......128

***The Story of Clifford House by Anonymous......152


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An excellent collection of very spooky ghost stories from authors who were known for their ability to write them.

I recommend this book to you!

I purchased this book because I like to read ghost stories. I am also a teacher, and my kids read them as well. I was somewhat disappointed when I perused the book after receiving it. Most of the stories I had already read...in college courses. My kids didn't like them either; unless you have an exceptionally bright child, the stories are a little deep and complex for anyone under 16. Also, if parents knew the true symbolism of "The Yellow Wallpaper," they may not want their child to read it. I had a hard time with this story being in the context of a children's book.

These stories are also a little too long and out-of-date to capture a child's interest. I teach 7th and 8th grade, and if they got bored with the stories, I'm sure anyone younger would too. If you are an older person, you may enjoy these stories a little more, as we tend to appreciate and understand "classics" a little better. But, like I said, if you have a bright child that enjoys multifaceted stories, by all means, buy the book. That's my .02.

A whole different type of Ghost story. Keeps you on the edge of your seat at all times.

I am pretty sure I had this book as a kid and I still love these short stories. I am so glad that I can find these type of books online. I hope to be able to pass them down one day.

_The Best Ghost Stories Ever_ (2003), edited by Christopher Krovatin is an anthology of nine old-fashioned and classical ghost stories. How well you like it may depend in part on how much you value something novel. If you do, you may not greet this book with cries of wild abandon. These stories are all old standbys rather than dazzling new and clever pieces. But the title indicates that Krovatin was looking for classic chillers, and it is hard to quibble with his choices. The stories are: Algernon Blackwood's "The Empty House," W.W. Jacobs's "The Monkey's Paw," Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," Edgar Allan Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death," Bram Stoker's "The Judge's House," Jerome K. Jerome's "A Ghost Story," Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper," Henry James's "The Romance of Certain Old Clothes," and Anonymous's "The Story of Clifford House".

The Jacobs, the Poe, the Irving, and the Stoker were tales that I read repeatedly as a child. I remember vividly reading the Stoker for the first time in fourth grade. My God, I thought. That's not the way it _should_ have ended! The other tales were ones that I encountered a bit later in life, when I knew a bit more about the Way of the World and the Finer Works of Literature. The James is given a certain amount of power in its depiction of female sibling rivalry. And the Gilman. Is it a portrait of a woman going insane from weaknesses within herself, or is it an account of a husband driving his wife insane? You decide.

The Jacobs, the Irving, and the Poe have been made into radio shows, television episodes, or movies several times. But the original stories have usually remained superior to the various dramitizations. Are these stories effectively scary? Sometimes. But they are always literate. That is their real strength. This book is recommended, especially for young readers.

_Note_: There are, however, some proofreading errors that I cannot let pass. The Blackwood story is listed as by Algernon _Blackwell_ in both the contents page and the text. And the back cover states that one of the stories included is by Robert Louis Stevenson. No such story is included.

I looked at the table of contents and noticed the first story of this anthology is "The Empty House" by Algernon BlackWELL. His name was Algernon BlackWOOD. That took enough credit away from the editor for me to not continue considering this book. I really wanted to point out that mistake for the sake of their being many more great anthologies out there for young adults. I believe the standard may still be "Scary Stories to tell in the Dark" vol. 1-3. When I was young those were just fantastic to read and the illustrations are really well done. And the author encourages reading aloud to your friends. Here is a link, I hope it works.Scary Stories Treasury; Three Books to Chill Your Bones: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark/ More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark/ Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones

Unlike the many ghost stories collections that just want to be outlets for new writers trying to write something scary, this book goes for the great ones, like Poe and Stoker. They're unknown, but brilliantly written and wonderfully freaky.

Stay with the classics and read this book!

Classic short stories from some of the best writers. good for a quick collection, read them, adapt them, commit them to memory, then tell them to a whole new generation

I am a Reading Teacher and was excited when I ordered this book because my students in grades 3-6 LOVE GHOST STORIES so I couldn't wait to share it with them. Unfortunately this book is not for childrfen ages 9-12. This book is for people in high school and adults.
The stories were okay, but definitely not for children. Please don't get deceived like I did.