Who's Haunting the White House?: The President's Mansion and the Ghosts Who Live There (Hardcover)

by Jeff Belanger (Author), Rick Powell (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 4–8—In a matter-of-fact tone that assumes ghost stories are true, Belanger relates White House encounters with the supernatural. "After all, where there are wars, there are ghosts," he states to explain the numerous sightings. Paranormal incidents like Dolley Madison defending her garden from would-be landscapers, Abigail Adams hanging laundry in the East Room, and many appearances of Lincoln are chronicled. The perspectives of presidents, statesmen, and other White House residents and employees who have personally experienced these apparitions are described. Primary documents—including letters, paintings, and photos—follow the history of the famous residence. Detailed colored-pencil illustrations successfully depict the ghosts as translucent figures while living characters are solid. While the book is a bit sensationalized, it is the quality of the research and presentation that make it an enticing resource to discover facts about the presidents, the White House, and American history.—Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Illustrated with period photos, paintings, and prints, as well as colored-pencil drawings, this wide-format book combines a chronological history of the White House with accounts of ghosts from different eras who supposedly haunt it. Belanger, who, according to the jacket flap, started “the largest paranormal community on the Web,” guides readers through a “supernatural investigation.” He intersperses history with reports of ghost sightings and sometimes includes documentation such as excerpts from letters, referenced in the appended notes and bibliography. The book provides an example of a researcher’s viewpoint influencing the deductions drawn. Though the account is clearly written, its conclusion that “the White House is haunted” rests on the belief that the existence of ghosts can be determined by positive answers to four questions, starting with “Have there been any deaths or tragedies at this location?” and relying on personal accounts for the others. Some of the intended audience may not have the critical eye needed for an assessment of the thesis, but this does intrigue. Grades 4-7. --Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Sterling; First Edition, First Printing edition (October 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402738226
• ISBN-13: 978-1402738227
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #265,958 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHO WANTS A GREAT BOOK FOR ALL SPOOK LOVERs?, November 27, 2008

By	DRUSILLA "MOMjONZ" (MA) - See all my reviews

Now here is a must have book for all ages If your into the SUPERNATURAL TALES OF THE UNEXPLAINABLE! My 3 sons & I LOVE this (5 STAR book!)
Its very very INTERESTING & VERY VERY enlighting & ENTERTAINING.....THIS BOOK IS NEVER BOARING FILLED WITH TRUE AMERICAN HISTORY & FRIGHTFULL FACTS....hair will stand up on your neck as your read this with YOUR WIDE EYED CHILDREN!!!!
ONE OF THE B E S T BOOKS WE HAVE E V E R PURCHASED! PLUS GOT IT DIRT CHEAP HERE...
I SAW JEFF being INTERVIEWED ON CH.5 WHEN THIS BOOK was RELEASED SEPT/OCT2008 & knew I wanted It! EVEN the COVER HAS a CLEAR PLASTIC SHAPE OF an INVISABLE SOUL OVER the PRINT....SO COOL!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great children's book, December 18, 2008

By	S. Paulin (Ct., USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I purchased this book for my 10 year old grandson after learning about it locally. This is a child who is not totally enthralled with reading so you can imagine my surprise when he opened his present and said "Wow Nannie, this is really cool!" It was written in a clear and concise manner with great facts that were both real and entertaining. Kudo's to the author for another well researched book, this time one that catches a childs imagination and interest.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great children's book about hauntings!, October 14, 2008

By	Lee Prosser (Missouri) - See all my reviews

Jeff Belanger has written a remarkable, entertaining, and thoughtful children's book about ghosts in the White House. That the White House is haunted is apparent, and in the capable hands of Jeff Belanger these intriguing true tales about the President's mansion and the ghosts who live there comes alive! Vivid, descriptive, and highly researched, this book is one you will enjoy having in your home for your child or children. This is a genuinely spooky tour of the White House, and each page comes alive with ghostly information! This is a well-written book by an expert in the field of the paranormal and supernatural. The illustrations by Rick Powell are an added delight to the book! For something unusual, get a copy of this book for yourself and a friend! I found "A Little Boy's Ghost," and "President Lincoln: Assassinated, but Not Gone" among my personal favorites as I read the book! The story concerning President Truman was amazing, too! There is much to learn in this interesting, historical look at ghosts in the White House.

--- Lee Prosser, Book Review Editor at www.Ghostvillage.com, and author of the book, Missouri Hauntings.