Abandoned Amusement Parks

by Dinah Williams

There is something both sad and creepy about an abandoned amusement park. Perhaps its because a place that was once packed with fun seekers has become slowly choked with weeds.

Or maybe its because the sound of kids excited laughter has been replaced with the quiet creaking of rusted rides. When the only visitors are the spirits of those who died there long ago, an amusement park can be a scary place to visit.

Among the 11 amusement parks in this book, children will discover a roller coaster left to rot after nearly killing its passengers, a theme park that is now home to alligators and snakes, and the ghost of a man who is still trying to take a ride on a Ferris wheel that stopped working years ago.

The haunting photographs and chilling nonfiction text will keep children turning the pages to discover more spooky stories.

Genres: Nonfiction, Ghost Stories

32 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Dinah Williams, an editor and children's book author, is fascinated by odd and unusual stories. Her nonfiction books include Terrible but True: Awful Events in American History; Secrets of Walt Disney World; and Spooky Cemeteries, which won the 2009 Children's Choice Award. Dinah's newest book, True Hauntings Deadly Disasters, is coming from Scholastic in 2020. She lives in Cranford, NJ with her husband and daughters, who hate all things scary.

Reviews

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG this book was really cool and what an introduction to the scarier books for young minds. I loved these types of books when I was young. Even the pictures, including the cover, had a creepiness factor to it that as an adult pulled my eyes to it. Just a warning, I don't know if I would let more sensitive readers read it. Not that it is graphic, but it does have its moments.

[RumBelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt let down by this book for one main reason. It describes itself as a book that talks about the hauntings in old, abandoned amusement parks, when in reality, only a couple of the amusement parks mentioned actually discuss the ghosts that reside in them. The rest of the entries just discuss the history of the park, and the unfortunate incidents and accidents that led to its closure.

11 amusement parks, from all over the world, were discussed. One that really caught my attention was Six Flags in New Orleans. It was used as a set for Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters film. I really liked the illustrations/photographs in the book those were very vibrant.

Added material in this book included a glossary, Read More list of books, websites and a map showing where each park is in the world.

All in all, in terms of actually talking about ghosts this book was not as advertised, but the stories of the amusement parts were eerie to read about.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at 11 abandoned amusement parks from around the world, that closed down due to accidents or other natural, or man-made disasters. Some are even thought to be haunted by ghosts of the victims who lost their lives while riding the rides.

[HappyGay Bakunzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really loved it I wish it was longer

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

so i thought the book was kinda creppy because one of the parks was called the coment of death because the cark got un hooked tob the others and the cark went back words and fell off and kiled all the passanges to the park was forced to shut d0own three months after.

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is really great. It is full of scary and weird amusement parks that make you want to go this. It is enjoyable to read because of all the storys it tells you about why different amusement parks are close.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this little book for kids, however, it would be scary for the younger ones since it talks about ghosts and deaths at the parks.

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for a child interested in the macabre, read with a 9 year old and she found it very interesting!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really a fun book. Interesting topic of scary places that were once places for entertainment. Loved reading about these places.

[Clinton Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading about creepy and interesting places as those featured in this book.