True Ghost Stories [Paperback]

Terry Deary (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

These two collections of horrifying tales aren't ordinary chillers--because they're not make-believe. Some of these stories have possible explanations, but others remain unsolved mysteries. Case files present the facts, leaving readers to play detective. Haunting, black-and-white illustrations accompany each collection, sure to leave the bravest of mystery fans sleeping with the lights on.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up. The nine "full-length" accounts in True Ghost Stories include familiar tales of "The Flying Dutchman" and "The Cock Lane Ghost" (poltergeist fraud) as well as several stories of apparitions and hauntings from England, Scotland, Wales, and Australia. "Ghostly Thoughts" at each story's end propose rational explanations for the phenomena. In True Horror Stories, Burke and Hare turn from newly dead to freshly killed bodies to increase their profits from sales to Scottish physicians for anatomy instruction; Lizzie Borden's parents are gruesomely murdered; and a family flees in terror from their dream home in Amityville, NY. These oft-told stories and eight additional tales are related in an entertaining fictional style.. Foreboding, atmospheric pen-and-ink drawings set the mood for each account. In both books, occasional "Fact File" sections provide supplementary information. All of the tales deliver chills with generally more descriptive detail than is found in Daniel Cohen's Ghostly Tales of Love and Revenge (Putnam, 1992) and Great Ghosts (Cobblehill, 1990). American readers may be confused by some of the British words and phrases, but should be able to determine their meaning from the context. There is plenty of terror and gore here to delight horror-film fans and enough notes of reality to make them think before accepting a purely spiritual explanation for the mysterious.?Ann G. Brouse, Big Flats Branch Library, Big Flats, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140382240
• ISBN-13: 978-0140382242
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,186,001 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Terry Deary writes both fiction and non-fiction. The Fire Thief was his 150th book published in the UK, this was followed by Flight of the Fire Thief and The Fire Thief Fights Back. Terry's books have been translated into 28 languages. His Horrible Histories series has sold 20 million copies worldwide. Terry has won numerous awards, including Blue Peter's Best Non-fiction Author of the Century.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely terrifying - can't believe it's a book for kids!, February 23, 2010

By 

A. McLellan "Mister. Melodic Perfectionist" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: True Ghost Stories (Paperback)

I got this at school back in 1995 when I was 10, and it scared me half to death. And for that reason, I loved it. I have often picked it up over the years and re-read it, and it's had the same effect. Even two years ago, on the train home from work (fully grown adult that I am), I found myself quite edgy and terrified reading it. On a train. Full of passengers. I got creeped out. Completely. I haven't actually read a more terrifying book, and I'm the one during horror movies who rolls their eyes when friends scream beside them. I'm just not scared easily.
The thing that is disturbing about this book is that the stories are apparently true. It makes me think: Good God, imagine such terrible accounts actually taking place, those people are still out there somewhere with this past event in their minds!
All of the tales have a way about them, an atmosphere that is uniquely unsettling. The one that does it for me, though, is the account of The Manchester Mummy. I found this story, along with its creepy picture, to be one of the most disturbing stories I've personally ever heard. And this one, you can be sure, is pretty much based on solid facts. I took it upon myself last year while in England to look it up with the intention of visiting the museum in which the mummy is held, but never got around to it. The story is told verbatim! And that in itself makes the story for me even creepier. If you can imagine a nasty middle aged woman in the 1700's, who is terrified of being buried alive, insisting she be buried in her shed as a mummy, and then haunting the crap out of her house... well, that's just the beginning. There is a twist to the story which haunted me when I first read it, 15 years ago. I'll never forget it.

A kid's book, if it has to be classed. But it is not for children!

3.0 out of 5 stars The Flying Dutchman, June 15, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: True Ghost Stories ("Read Along") (Paperback)

This is a story about a sailor named George, he spots a ship coming towards them. It was coming in to fast, then it disappeared. The ship is a ghost ship but why,why does the ship wander the seas, never stopping.

2 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars O.k. really scary !(NOT!), May 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: True Ghost Stories (Audio Cassette)

good!I recomend this book to anyone in between the ages of 8 and 1400 because it is quite scary and relly funny . Also anyone who knows lucy kelsall ( she lives in the isle of man , united kingdom ,europe ) you prabably don't know her because she is a twirp ! from one of her friends, Victoria !