Spiders in the Hairdo: Modern Urban Legends

by David Holt

Winner of the Garden State Teen Book Award & 2002 YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults Hey, did you hear the one about the lady who had her beehive hairdo sprayed so hard that spiders started to nest in it? Of course you did, it happened to your next-door neighbor's cousin. Or was it your cousin's next-door neighbor? Folktales are not the exclusive domain of the past. They're alive and kicking in urban legends, those stories that are told as true, but always as happening to a friend of a friend. We hear them in conversation and recognize them on the Internet. In this collection, you'll encounter stories about stupid criminals, scams and conspiracy theories, students clever enough to outsmart the professor though not smart enough to pass the test, and jerks who get their just desserts. Based on David Holt and Bill Mooney's two-man storytelling show and their Grammy nominated audio, this collection will make your hair stand on end... possible into the shape of a beehive hairdo. These urban legends will teach readers the importance of courage and resourcefulness.

Genres: Humor, Fiction, Horror, Short Stories, High School, Urban Legends, Young Adult

111 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

Reviews

[Storyteller John Weaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, quick read, with short stories & anecdotes ranging from ghostly stories you've perhaps heard around a campfire to jokes you might have heard while listening to A Prairie Home Companion. The tight, bare-bones presentation of the tales practically begs readeres to personalize them with their own details, and spin them on to new generations.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun collection of urban legends. Some were familiar to me, and some weren't, but they were tremendous fun to read. Entertaining, certainly, this book also provides an intriguing look at urban legends' roles as cultural artifacts. Overall, it was quite informative.

[Steve Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to the unabridged audio version of this book. It took maybe a half hour to get through all the stories.

It's full of spurious stories, though one or two MIGHT have had their roots in something that actually happened, though the story as told ought not be taken seriously. A few might actually merit the title of "urban legend". Others are typical ghost stories (versions of which I heard a half century ago) told around camp fires to scare kids.

And there it is. Kids. This appeals to the middle schooler. Maybe the fifth grader. The big problem I'd have with it is that it inculcates credulity in the young reader. Although, if handled right, a teacher or parent could use the story to teach the kid to think critically.

[Abby Rubin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spiders in the Hairdo is exactly what you want out of a book of urban legends. These stories are short, sweet, and to the point. Some of them begin to feel a bit repetitive if you read through them at a fast clip, but if you have someone to read them aloud to and can take your time, you will find yourself thinking twice about any coincidence or good fortune coming your way.

[Lizeth Velazquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holt, David & Mooney, Bill. Spiders in the Hairdo: Modern Urban Legends (2005). This is a collection of stories of urban legends many people are aware of and may still believe. For the most part, the stories are not real. Many will be familiar and cause laughter, wonderment, fear, and surprise. The stories are a page turner and include some that are many years old and are even still being used in some movies. I highly recommend this book because it keeps your interest and the reading is at a good pace. It's definitely one you can read at leisure and for pleasure. It can spark students' imagination and motivate writing stories of their own. The book lends itself to many possible lessons and activities. Target Audience: High School (Hi-Low).

[Mayda · Rating 3 out of 5]

We all know that these strange tales have to be concocted, but still, there are a couple that surely could have happened, even if they didn’t. Some stories are crude; some of the people are not only rude but dishonest; and some stories may have a kernel of truth that got lost in exaggeration. But it is all fun. Now, I must go and track down that friend of a friend. . .and see I if can pinpoint the beginning of at least one of these legends.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: 12-18

A collection of modern urban legends, especially the classics. This makes it great for middle schoolers. The twist endings are excellent for teens.

"The Slasher," "The Deadly Dress," and "The Belle at Biloxi" are particularly tragic, gruesome, scary tales.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny (:

[Tevia · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was just a little book i got the boys. it is just a bunch of urban legends. It was fun to read, but not that great.

[Betsie Bush · Rating 3 out of 5]

the author(s) did a good job of embellishing these tales into meatier stories.

[KJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Deadly Dress in this collection of urban legends was one of the first stories I learned to tell to an audience. Would be perfect to share during a Zombie Prom at the library!

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and Fun!

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of fun to read, relates various, mostly well-known, urban legends. From the hilarious to the spine-chilling, it was a great collection. I really enjoyed the book.

[Malia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Halloween! For the most part really funny. I laughed myself silly on some of the short stories.
But they had some terrible ones that I found fodder for the Kooks.

[Ashley S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg ..This book is really good !!
Is fun,and tell alot of short scary stories ,,!!