Haunted Australia

by John Heffernan

'Ghosts, spirits, spectres, spooks, apparitions, ghouls, banshees, min mins, Quinkans, featherfoots, poltergeists and doppelgangers. They come with a host of different names. But if you ever actually meet one, what you call it will be the last thing on your mind.'

Come with author John Heffernan on a terrifying tour of Australia, and read spooky tales from the city and the bush, from olden times to the present day.

Sometimes scary, sometimes funny... but always mysterious.

Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

John Heffernan lives on a farm at the end of a dirt road. The farm is nestled in a beautiful little valley at the edge of the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales. John's early training as a teacher has been invaluable in both his writing and in establishing a relationship with young readers.

John has written more than thirty books for older readers and younger readers, on a range of subjects, in a range of styles and genres. Picture books, chapter books, YA novels, reality to fantasy; he likes to dabble in them all!

Reviews

[Jade17 · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Bought second-hand for $2*

A well researched book about ghosts in Australia. As a regular ghost tour goer, I found this book fascinating. The book is geared towards younger audiences (young adult) so it's very easy to read with shorter chapters.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simplistic, with some intresting stories. Aimed at a young audience, so to be expected

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was defiantly aimed at younger people, but it still managed to freak me out in parts really enjoyable and interesting.

[Toby Bearman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book must read

[Shazzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book for kids who like spooky stories about ghosts, it is not too scary. I also recommend that you should not show this book to younger kids or they might get scared and SCREAM! This book is for ages 8+.

[Alivia Bridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting but easy to read

[Nikki Haskell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read. Love the supernatural

[Janis Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

My children wanted to borrow this book and asked me if it was scary... so I decided to have a read first. Some children might find it scary, some interesting and insightful.

To me it was okay... definitely suited for children, maybe YA to read and not something I'd recommend to an adult. It glosses over a lot, makes it simple and plain speak and throws in some really silly terms like 'spooxperts'.

Are there really ghosts and these stories are true? Well, I can't answer that as I feel belief one way or the other will make the biggest decision to it all.

It's a good book for kids to read if they're interested in mostly generalised ghosts’ stories with some specifics thrown in. There are other books I feel would be better "reference" that include more details and folklore. But it was a decent enough read. I have suggested my kids not read it after dark as they can be a bit timid as it is when it comes to ghosts and that sort of thing.

[Sara]

Read a few bits and pieces of this book when I felt like something to read or had some spare time. I didn't actually go through it page by page in order or read it through.I was spooked! A good read but really creepy, some of the stories in it kept me awake at night and sometimes creep into my thoughts. A good read when your bored just like those in Thats Life! & Take 5 magazine etc. I purchased it via Book Club at school for a cheap price around $10 and under.I eventually decided to give this to St Vincent
de Paul cause I was too spooked but I hope the new owner is enjoying it! It's really simple to read and understand but still entertaining.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and quick book to read to a young audience, 6-11 yrs would be the best age group, and it includes a bit about the history of Australian locations which I enjoyed as well.