Haunted History of the United States. Abdo Publishing, 2024. $25.95 ea. $155.70 set of 6. 48 p. Grades 3-7.

Bradford Edwards, Sue. The Haunted History of San Antonio and the Alamo. 978-1-098-29254-6.
Gagne, Tammy. The Haunted History of Alcatraz Island. 978-1-098-29250-8.
—. The Haunted History of Salem, Massachusetts. 978-1-098-29253-9.
Hudak, Heather C. The Haunted History of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 978-1-098-29252-2.
Mihaly, Christy. The Haunted History of Washington, DC. 978-1-098-29255-3.
Seigel, Rachel.  The Haunted History of Chicago, Illinois. 978-1-098-29251-5.

This informative series offers historical information about notable American sites reputed to be haunted. The Haunted History of San Antonio and the Alamo starts with an anecdote: James L. Choron visited the Alamo in 1990 and discovered that his daughter could see and communicate with a spirit named Jaime, a Mexican soldier. The Emily Morgan Hotel, formally a medical building, is also said to be haunted by former patients. Some guests at the hotel claim to open their hotel room door to find the hallway looks like the inside of a hospital. When they close the door and open it again, the hospital scene is gone. A former jail by the Alamo is also haunted by past prisoners, especially those that were sentenced to death and hanged inside the building. The Spanish Governor’s Palace is also plagued by hauntings. Paranormal crews have investigated this historical building and even recorded a video of a ghost turning a flashlight on and off. While many people believe in ghosts, others do not. Psychologists believe we see things that are not there because our brain fills in missing information from what we observe with our eyes and ears. Whether or not these sites are haunted, they certainly are full of history and charm. 

THOUGHTS: Each volume in this paranormal series includes personal anecdotes and explores the various reasons why people believe in ghosts. It also provides rational, natural, psychological, and scientific explanations for the paranormal phenomena, ensuring both viewpoints are represented. The books are visually engaging, featuring fact boxes and sidebars that add extra information. Student activities peppered throughout the book promote comprehension and critical thinking. The back matter includes a glossary, index, bibliography, and additional digital resources. This is a solid series for upper elementary and middle grade libraries, especially those in which spooky stories circulate frequently. 

100s Paranormal & Occultism