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Ghostly Evidence: Exploring the Paranormal
It's late at night, and you're on a tour of a so-called haunted house. You see something out of the corner of your eye and quickly snap a photo. Your hands tremble as you lower the camera. Your eyes widen as you stare at the image you've just captured. A face seems to be lurking in the background. But when you look up, there's no one standing there! Was it a ghost?
Ghost sightings are reported all the time. Many are easily explained. Others are harder to dismiss. But is there any proof? To find out, Kelly Milner Halls explored haunted houses. She examined photographs and investigated eyewitness accounts from ghost hunters, mediums, and paranormal experts. What's the verdict? Are the spirits of the dead wandering among us? Explore her findings and decide for yourself.
Ghost sightings are reported all the time. Many are easily explained. Others are harder to dismiss. But is there any proof? To find out, Kelly Milner Halls explored haunted houses. She examined photographs and investigated eyewitness accounts from ghost hunters, mediums, and paranormal experts. What's the verdict? Are the spirits of the dead wandering among us? Explore her findings and decide for yourself.
64 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Milner Halls
70 books52 followersKelly Milner Halls specializes in high interest, well researched nonfiction for young readers. Her books include TALES OF THE CRYPTIDS, SAVING THE BAGHDAD ZOO, IN SEARCH OF SASQUATCH and ALIEN INVESTIGATION. But she is also an avid YA fan and loves realistic fiction including GIRL MEETS BOY, the anthology she edited for Chronicle (January 2012). Her first short story is in that anthology. She hopes it won't be her last. When she's not writing or doing school visits, she works for her friend and mentor Chris Crutcher in Spokane.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 4, 2021
So indeed, what I very much appreciate and respect the most about Ghostly Evidence is that author Kelly Milner Halls never once tries to convince her young readers that ghosts and paranormal events are in fact to be approached as being real, that albeit Milner Halls does textually present her evidence as such, as being true (or rather maybe as believed by those who had been experiencing the ghosts etc. as this being reality), she, the author, equally does not once categorically claim that her presented ghost and hauntings themed facts are in fact absolute and must therefore be believed and considered as the absolute and unassailable truth (and yes, Ghostly Evidence is in my opinion textually suitable for readers from about the age of ten or so onwards, because while the ghost and paranormal evidence examples are penned in a straight forward and not ever descriptively creepy or horrifying manner, there also is a lot of vocabulary present and a resulting textual denseness that might make Ghostly Evidence rather a bit too young involved and difficult for readers younger than nine).
But Kelly Milner Halls does ask of her readers to keep an open mind whilst reading Ghostly Evidence and to at least consider the possibility that ghosts, paranormal phenomena, haunted houses might in fact be real, that being sceptical regarding ghosts is a good thing (and the author also shows many examples in Ghostly Evidence of elaborate hoaxes, of so-called spirit photography meant to dupe, to scam, to deceive), but that there are also many instances of supposed ghost sightings that cannot be simply explained away and many who are very much convinced of ghosts being something real.
A four star reading experience that is good and beneficial for both skeptics and believers alike, I have definitely enjoyed reading Ghostly Evidence. And even though like the author, like Kelly Milner Halls I am still pretty much a skeptic regarding the reality of ghosts and will likely remain so until I myself actually see and meet one, Ghostly Evidence has certainly opened my mind and I definitely do now believe that most people who claim to have seen ghosts etc. are in fact not fibbing but do think that what they have experienced or whom they have seen is the truth (even if this might actually be just a figment of their imaginations).
But Kelly Milner Halls does ask of her readers to keep an open mind whilst reading Ghostly Evidence and to at least consider the possibility that ghosts, paranormal phenomena, haunted houses might in fact be real, that being sceptical regarding ghosts is a good thing (and the author also shows many examples in Ghostly Evidence of elaborate hoaxes, of so-called spirit photography meant to dupe, to scam, to deceive), but that there are also many instances of supposed ghost sightings that cannot be simply explained away and many who are very much convinced of ghosts being something real.
A four star reading experience that is good and beneficial for both skeptics and believers alike, I have definitely enjoyed reading Ghostly Evidence. And even though like the author, like Kelly Milner Halls I am still pretty much a skeptic regarding the reality of ghosts and will likely remain so until I myself actually see and meet one, Ghostly Evidence has certainly opened my mind and I definitely do now believe that most people who claim to have seen ghosts etc. are in fact not fibbing but do think that what they have experienced or whom they have seen is the truth (even if this might actually be just a figment of their imaginations).
October 27, 2014
While I am not a big believer in ghosts and the paranormal I did find this book quite interesting. With a wide variety of different opinions existing on the subject of the paranormal it's a topic that is bound to attract many readers of all ages. This book provides an introduction to the topic for young readers. The author starts by exploring the topic of what exactly is a ghost and what types of manifestations people claim to have had, everything from apparitions to shadow figures and mists. One of the things I enjoyed the most was the variety of stories she shared from all over the country including ships, houses, hotels, and prisons. She leaves it up to the reader to decide what to believe but shares a variety of opinions from self-proclaimed ghost hunters, mediums, and skeptics. The stories I found most interesting were the ones from children's book authors Lisa Yee and Bruce Coville. These kinds of stories really leave one wondering because of their strangeness yet lack of concrete evidence.
The author goes on to look at famous haunted places including the Alamo and Gettysburg battlefields. The occupation of ghost hunter and medium are both explored as is the equipment that they often use. Real-life hoaxes and some of the tricks that have been used to con people are also discussed. It never ceases to amaze me how much time people spend conning other people out of their money. The last chapter is basically a look at stories and experiences that really don't have a clear explanation, including some the author herself had while researching the book. Overall, an interesting look at a controversial topic that middle grader readers are sure to enjoy.
The author goes on to look at famous haunted places including the Alamo and Gettysburg battlefields. The occupation of ghost hunter and medium are both explored as is the equipment that they often use. Real-life hoaxes and some of the tricks that have been used to con people are also discussed. It never ceases to amaze me how much time people spend conning other people out of their money. The last chapter is basically a look at stories and experiences that really don't have a clear explanation, including some the author herself had while researching the book. Overall, an interesting look at a controversial topic that middle grader readers are sure to enjoy.
October 1, 2014
In the way of kid's non-fiction books about the paranormal, I thought this was one of the best ones that I have encountered. As for older folk who read this book, the content is pretty basic and you may find it a bit lacking if you are looking for more in depth information.
Still, this was deserving of a read and four stars. The book is thoughtfully organised and has quite a few interesting photographs as well. The author retains her composure throughout, never trying to convince the reader one way or the other on what they should believe and staying neutral herself, even at the end where she draws her conclusion.
I thought this was handled very professionally and will give kids a look at a realm of science that is not yet well understood. The author did a lot of research, including travel in order to write this book, and I think it came out well.
If you have a child who is interested (over ten) in the paranormal and are looking for reading material for them that is reality based and without the common silliness one finds in this non-fiction genre, this would be a good book to choose.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Still, this was deserving of a read and four stars. The book is thoughtfully organised and has quite a few interesting photographs as well. The author retains her composure throughout, never trying to convince the reader one way or the other on what they should believe and staying neutral herself, even at the end where she draws her conclusion.
I thought this was handled very professionally and will give kids a look at a realm of science that is not yet well understood. The author did a lot of research, including travel in order to write this book, and I think it came out well.
If you have a child who is interested (over ten) in the paranormal and are looking for reading material for them that is reality based and without the common silliness one finds in this non-fiction genre, this would be a good book to choose.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
November 30, 2014
My review from the San Francisco Book Review:
Do you believe in ghosts? Most people claim they don’t but somehow are not quite so sure when things go bump in the night or when they walk through a cold, clammy spot in a warm room. Some hear whispers or moans or even see ephemeral beings floating above a stairway or through a hallway. Yet in all the history of such reports, and that history is long and rich, there seems to be no real proof that ghosts exist, although not for lack of trying. Kelly Milner Halls takes a hard look at the paranormal just as she has with other unusual topics such as reports of aliens and the search for Sasquatch. Halls gives a good overview of several well-known, fascinating places with records of paranormal appearances and visitations. She has clearly pored over the records and photographs, listened to recordings, interviewed witnesses and ghost hunters and scientists, and distilled all that information for young readers. What middle-grade reader would not be absolutely fascinated with this wonderful compendium of information on ghostly sightings? This non-fiction work has lots of suggested readings, internet links, and ghostly places to visit. The writing is terrific and the research impeccable.
Do you believe in ghosts? Most people claim they don’t but somehow are not quite so sure when things go bump in the night or when they walk through a cold, clammy spot in a warm room. Some hear whispers or moans or even see ephemeral beings floating above a stairway or through a hallway. Yet in all the history of such reports, and that history is long and rich, there seems to be no real proof that ghosts exist, although not for lack of trying. Kelly Milner Halls takes a hard look at the paranormal just as she has with other unusual topics such as reports of aliens and the search for Sasquatch. Halls gives a good overview of several well-known, fascinating places with records of paranormal appearances and visitations. She has clearly pored over the records and photographs, listened to recordings, interviewed witnesses and ghost hunters and scientists, and distilled all that information for young readers. What middle-grade reader would not be absolutely fascinated with this wonderful compendium of information on ghostly sightings? This non-fiction work has lots of suggested readings, internet links, and ghostly places to visit. The writing is terrific and the research impeccable.
October 17, 2014
A quick, objective and enjoyable trip through the world of ghosts. The author offers teens a balanced look at some of the history of the spiritualist movement, modern-day ghost hunters, and famous/recent anecdotal evidence of ghostly sightings. There is a theme of open-minded skepticism throughout, which I appreciated. Ultimately the reader is left to think critically about supernatural claims, while remaining "open to extreme possibilities."
October 9, 2021
This was an interesting and fascinating exploration of the supernatural--ghosts and haunted places, such as houses, hotels, cemeteries, etc. I found the writing style very readable and it flowed very nicely. I appreciated the author's open-minded approach to the subject. I really liked how she included opinions of skeptics, and she had info on people like Houdini who used to expose the frauds of supposed mediums. Backmatter includes instructions to fake a ghost photo, source notes, glossary, bibliography, list of places to visit, and an index.
November 5, 2014
"For centuries, we've feared them. Ghosts. Spirits. Entities able to travel between the worlds of the living and the dead." Why do we care? Simple, we hate to let go of loved ones and it is comforting to think that there may be some sort of existence or life after death. It's the quest for proof that is so exciting!
This book explores:
1. What a ghost is. These range from apparitions to Shadow figures; orbs, mists, and residual images; scents unique to those who have passed and dreams.
2. Haunted hot spots. You'll learn about popular haunted places like the Whaley House, the infamous Stanley Hotel, Gettysburg, and The Alamo.
3. Famous ghost hunters and what you would need to become a ghost hunter. This book highlights famous tv personalities like Jason Hawes of TAPS, Zak Bagans from Ghost Adventures, and Theresa Caputo from Long Island Medium. You'll even learn about religious scholars from the past like Joseph Glanvill. "Paranormal Tools of the Trade" are also listed in this section.
4. Supernatural hoaxes. This includes the Fox sisters who claimed to be mediums in 1848, Spirit Photographer William H. Mumler, and the famous Fabricator of Spirits Helen Duncan.
5. Personal paranormal experiences. The author talks about her own personal feelings on ghosts and hauntings and even admits there were a few things she couldn't explain while writing and researching this book.
Glossary, Further Reading, and Places to Visit included at the end!
Overall, I give this book a pretty good rating. I think it is relevant and has high reader appeal. Kelly Milner Halls may even entice you to start ghost hunting on your own!
This book explores:
1. What a ghost is. These range from apparitions to Shadow figures; orbs, mists, and residual images; scents unique to those who have passed and dreams.
2. Haunted hot spots. You'll learn about popular haunted places like the Whaley House, the infamous Stanley Hotel, Gettysburg, and The Alamo.
3. Famous ghost hunters and what you would need to become a ghost hunter. This book highlights famous tv personalities like Jason Hawes of TAPS, Zak Bagans from Ghost Adventures, and Theresa Caputo from Long Island Medium. You'll even learn about religious scholars from the past like Joseph Glanvill. "Paranormal Tools of the Trade" are also listed in this section.
4. Supernatural hoaxes. This includes the Fox sisters who claimed to be mediums in 1848, Spirit Photographer William H. Mumler, and the famous Fabricator of Spirits Helen Duncan.
5. Personal paranormal experiences. The author talks about her own personal feelings on ghosts and hauntings and even admits there were a few things she couldn't explain while writing and researching this book.
Glossary, Further Reading, and Places to Visit included at the end!
Overall, I give this book a pretty good rating. I think it is relevant and has high reader appeal. Kelly Milner Halls may even entice you to start ghost hunting on your own!
August 7, 2014
Kelly Milner Halls has made her mark writing fascinating, well-researched non-fiction about weird topics. Ghostly Evidence is a wonderful examination of paranormal topics, from hoaxes to spirit photography, to the tools ghost hunters use. As usual, Halls uses the best research, lays it out, and then encourages readers to come to their own conclusions. I love the sidebars, and her personal note at the end, which explains how her own thinking changed over the course of researching the book. My only complaint is that the book is so interesting that I wanted more! Buy this for the quirky, curious kid (or adult) in your life!
September 10, 2014
Thanks to Netgalley and Millbrook Press for early access to this title.
This was a very interesting read! I enjoyed the many photos - I'm sure this will be a beautiful book when it comes out. I liked the stance the author took on exploring the concept of ghosts - keep an open mind, but most of the incidents can be explained in scientific terms. She included the TV Ghost Hunters, and I thought that was fun. This is a great read for kids interested in the paranormal, and gives a good overview of the history and current status of ghost hunting / sighting.
This was a very interesting read! I enjoyed the many photos - I'm sure this will be a beautiful book when it comes out. I liked the stance the author took on exploring the concept of ghosts - keep an open mind, but most of the incidents can be explained in scientific terms. She included the TV Ghost Hunters, and I thought that was fun. This is a great read for kids interested in the paranormal, and gives a good overview of the history and current status of ghost hunting / sighting.
February 3, 2015
One of the better YA ghost reads. This was a wonderful mix of ideas. The author leaves it up to the reader to decide if ghosts exist. She simply presents stories and educates about ghost hunting, and hoaxes. This is a nice mix of stories about a variety of locations. Respected people give their own stories and opinions.
The book does not go into great detail, but is perfect for younger readers. The writing will stand up to the reading of an adult audience. A great introduction to the world of ghosts.
The book does not go into great detail, but is perfect for younger readers. The writing will stand up to the reading of an adult audience. A great introduction to the world of ghosts.
May 7, 2015
"Don't read this just before before you turn out the lights. As the title suggests, this book contains all the best evidence that ghosts exist. One interview with writer Lisa Yee, who lived in James Thurber's haunted house for a month and was skeptical until the last morning, is pretty convincing. The author also gives you the low-down on how people fake pictures of ghosts. Not for the faint of heart and a good dose of "maybe they do exist" for the skeptics out there!"
October 17, 2015
Just the perfect book to read on a windy and chill October night. :D
Lots of ghost experiences and a bit about ghost hunting, and about how people have faked hauntings over the years. Are the stories real? The author invites the reader to decide for themselves. I really want to try faking photographs the way they show you at the end of the book. Fun book for those who want to be spooked a little bit.
Lots of ghost experiences and a bit about ghost hunting, and about how people have faked hauntings over the years. Are the stories real? The author invites the reader to decide for themselves. I really want to try faking photographs the way they show you at the end of the book. Fun book for those who want to be spooked a little bit.
May 8, 2017
Staff Pick
Kathi
This book is good for people just starting to explore ghosts and for those who are looking for spine tingling stories. It delves into stories that include actual historic locations and personal experiences. There is also a chapter on ghost hunting and great descriptions of some of the tools they use. It includes a chapter on taking spirit pictures. One really unique feature of this book is that the author actually visited the locations.
Kathi
This book is good for people just starting to explore ghosts and for those who are looking for spine tingling stories. It delves into stories that include actual historic locations and personal experiences. There is also a chapter on ghost hunting and great descriptions of some of the tools they use. It includes a chapter on taking spirit pictures. One really unique feature of this book is that the author actually visited the locations.
October 18, 2018
I picked this book up to read myself despite being way past the Young Adult reading level. It's listed as ages 10-18, but I think it should be for even younger readers, well actually, I don't think anyone should waste their time on this one. Lots of poorly written anecdotes, and though the author writes of many photographs supposedly taken showing this or that ghostly formation, there is only ONE photo in the book of (perhaps) a Civil-War era ghost (p. 12). Lots of references to the Ghost Hunters SyFy series that I wondered if she had some sort of relationship with them, as there were several cable shows on paranormal stuff, but that one was featured overwhelmingly. The Bibliography and Places to Visit lists in the back are laughably short.
December 23, 2017
A nice overview of most things paranormal. From haunted locations to types of ghosts , and paranormal investigators, this book gives a broad overview of the things that go bump in the night . Prefect for beginnings interested in the topic. Those who are more familiar with th subject matter wouldn't find much use for it.
May 12, 2022
Very good and amazing history
August 15, 2014
I received this book from netgalley.com in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to Netgalley.com, to Lerner Publishing Group, and to Kelly Milner Halls.
This was a good introduction to the paranormal for young readers. The author touched on a lot of different areas including equipment, types of hauntings, and specific haunted locations. She even put a little section at the end for how to identify fake ghost photos. It was a bit to brief for me but I think it would be excellent for the young reader who is just developing an interest in the paranormal.
This was a good introduction to the paranormal for young readers. The author touched on a lot of different areas including equipment, types of hauntings, and specific haunted locations. She even put a little section at the end for how to identify fake ghost photos. It was a bit to brief for me but I think it would be excellent for the young reader who is just developing an interest in the paranormal.
June 22, 2015
Great fun while very informative. I can definitely see reluctant and no-so-reluctant teen readers plowing through the pages of creepy photos and eerie examples of unexplained phenomena. The information on paranormal investigators/ghost hunters and the equipment they use is especially intriguing, as is the section on how people fake ghost photos. As always, a unique and entertaining volume from an author who always produces excellence. Now it's dark and I have to go to bed, but I'm definitely keeping the hall light on tonight!
January 27, 2015
The author makes a deliberate, conscientious attempt to present information in an unbiased manner. She makes it clear when her bias goes against what others may believe about ghosts and the paranormal. When researching this book, Halls visited many houses and places that have been reported as being haunted. She took pictures, talked to witnesses, and met with a variety of experts in the field in order to write this book. She leaves readers to draw their own conclusions about the existence of ghosts and paranormal beings.
May 11, 2015
This is an account of different terms used by those with an interest in the paranormal (e.g. ghost orbs, shadow people, etc.) interspersed with various ghost stories, anecdotes of haunted locations, and the author's personal experiences.
Full disclosure: I did not finish this book. This was on a list for high school students but it's much too young for high schoolers. Interest level on some websites is listed as 5th - 8th grades and for them, it may be appealing.
Full disclosure: I did not finish this book. This was on a list for high school students but it's much too young for high schoolers. Interest level on some websites is listed as 5th - 8th grades and for them, it may be appealing.
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October 27, 2014"Then again, those eerie sights, sounds or feelings cannot always be reasoned away. Does that make them real? Maybe. The author gives us the information and leaves it up to us to decide if we believe or not."
Read more here.
Read more here.
November 25, 2014
Cool stuff for tween and teen paranormal freaks. Great visuals, and fun anecdotes from famous kidlit authors. The best part, IMHO, is the final two pages, which tell you how to fake ghost photographs. There's a teen library program for you right there.
December 2, 2014
I enjoyed the historical stories shared and the information about a ghost-hunter's tools. However, I was surprised at the amount of information given about some well-known "ghost" pictures when several of those pictures weren't actually shared in this book.
July 10, 2015
Eh. I guess this could work as a nice intro to any middle school or high school students who are looking for an introduction to studies about paranormal activity. Not particularly well-written or really that interesting in my opinion.
May 1, 2015
good book about ghosts for kids!
November 18, 2014
Several times the author mentions photos that contain unexplained phenomena, but the photos themselves are not in the book. I would have liked to actually see what she was talking about.
October 13, 2014
Highly engaging. Well-written. Lots of appeal here.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews