The Haunted States of America

by Ellen Hopkins, Matt Godfrey (narrator), Jennifer Pickens (narrator)

Fifty two different stories. Fifty two different Authors. Endless fright for all ages.

Every state has an urban legend that evokes fear and curiosity in equal parts, and we've chronicled all of these logic-defying horrors here in the Haunted States of America anthology.

From the Jersey Devil to La Llorona, each story included introduces a new chill inducing, stomach churning monster, specter, or poltergeist certain to keep you up at night. A broad ranging collection of authors, including seasoned veterans and some first timers making a fright-tastic debut, have all united to unearth the scariest lore from each state in the US, as well as D.C. and Puerto Rico. Make sure to strap in for this spooky cross country tour, but be extra careful not to let any of these terrors follow you home.

Featuring stories from Ellen Hopkins, Rae Rose, Daniel Barlekamp, Aixa Perez-Prado, Paul Lubaczewski, Jan Eldredge, and many more.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Middle Grade, Fiction, Young Adult, Audiobook, Anthologies

Audible Audio

First published July 9, 2024

Reviews

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection is chock full of original stories based on urban legends, scary stories, and ghost lore from each state that makes up the United States of America, including Puerto Rico. Overall, this turned out to be an enjoyable collection. There were just two or three stories I didn't like at all, but almost all the other stories were either decent, good or really good. There were a lot more than expected that turned out to be quite chilling and downright scary. I liked the diversity in the type of story (not just ghost stories, but also creature feature and some of the more contemporary urban/rural legend type subject matter). I also liked how it represents the diversity (the so called "melting pot") of America in the characters. Tones and maturity levels between stories vary, so some stories will impact younger readers differently from older, more seasoned horror reading teens and tweens. I think this is a good way to spend some hours reading short, often quite scary stories.

Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.

Advanced Review Copy provided by Netgalley courtesy of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group.

[Irene Well Worth A Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

A perfect summer read for anyone who enjoys spooky thrills with milder chills.

These 52 short stories span the country with a haunting tale for each state.

I had several favorites, but it was especially fun to read the story about my own state with local landmarks that I recognize. I think young readers will get a kick out of reading a spooky tale set in their own state too.

Most are local legends and ghost stories. I was especially delighted to read the vampire story which stood out among so many ghosts.

The target audience for this collection would be ages 8 to 12 but I know plenty of adults who still enjoy Goosebumps so I don't think there needs to be any cut off age.

My thanks to Godwin Books

[Richard Propes · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's well established that on occasion I feel the need to detour away from my usual more intense reading endeavors and cleanse the palate with something lighter.

In most cases, this is either in the realm of entertainment or a middle-grade novel.

"The Haunted States of America" is simply a fun read. Targeting middle-grade readers, "The Haunted States of America" approaches America's urban legends, some better known than others, and crafts a story around them.

52 urban legends. 52 authors. 52 stories.

In my own home state of Indiana, the urban legend comes from Northwest Indiana's Diana of the Dunes, a nickname given to quirky conservationist Alice Mabel Gray. Gray's death at age 43 would trigger the usual legends and myths and they continue to this day. In fact, the National Park Service played off them during a late 2022 event at what is now Indiana Dunes National Park.

From the Jersey Devil to La Llorona, each story amps up chills, thrills, monsters, spectres, and much more to create stories that are frequently fun, occasionally frightening, and the kind of stories that will have you rushing over to the internet to learn more about the urban legend behind the story.

"The Haunted States of America" features stories from the likes of Ellen Hopkins, Daniel Barlekamp, Rae Rose, Aixa Perez-Prado, Paul Lubaczewski, Jan Eldredge, and others. There are seasoned vets here and newbies establishing their horror creds. Every state is covered along with D.C. and Puerto Rico (I was particularly fond of Puerto Rico's culturally flavored story!).

This was the palate cleanser I needed as I hit my annual Goodreads goal and prepare for surgery today at one of Indy's older hospitals. I'm sure I'll keep wondering what that is I'm hearing around the corner.

Who knows?

[H. Woodward · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.I really like this book! It’d be perfect for use in the middle school ELA classroom or to support SS (US History). A true short story-3/4 pages each-for each of the States. I like that each story contains important information about the State and its history or historical sites. Very smart. Students could lolok up allusions or details mentioned in a specific story. Perhaps they could research a State and write their own story about it? They could debate how well a story represents their home State. There’s a ton of ways this could be used, Very well done and will be super useful. Personally, I think the Louisiana story is the best, a fact which surprises no one—laissez les bons temps rouler!

[Wisconsin Alumni]

Silvia Acevedo ’94
Contributing author

From the coauthor:
Fifty two different stories. Fifty two different authors. Endless fright for all ages.

Every state has an urban legend that evokes fear and curiosity in equal parts, and we’ve chronicled all of these logic-defying horrors here in the Haunted States of America anthology.

From the Jersey Devil to La Llorona, each story included introduces a new chill-inducing, stomach-churning monster, specter, or poltergeist certain to keep you up at night. A broad-ranging collection of authors, including seasoned veterans and some first-timers making a fright-tastic debut, have all united to unearth the scariest lore from each state in the U.S., as well as DC and Puerto Rico. Make sure to strap in for this spooky cross-country tour, but be extra careful not to let any of these terrors follow you home.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Haunted States Of America by multiple authors edited by Alan Hopkins and Solomon Hughes it is a middle grade book packed with many enjoyable haunted stories from the white ghost in Alabama to the wailing women in Wyoming, the stories are plentiful varied and even I at 52 years old found them interesting. When I was a little girl my mom wouldn’t let others scare me and so it only hiened my interest in in the taboo in a book like this would’ve tickled my fancy to no end and so I am not surprised that I enjoyed it even at my age. I think any child would love this haunted house story it is a perfect book for those who love the macabre and the spooky. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.#McMillan Young readers, #NetGalley, #TheHauntedStatesOfAmerica,

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ Really fun book with a whole bunch of original very short stories. One for each US state and then one for DC and another for Puerto Rico. These stories are very mild, so these would be really open to younger readers.

[Haleigh Gravgaard · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Haunted States of America" anthology takes readers on a spine-tingling journey through the United States, uncovering eerie urban legends from every state, as well as D.C. and Puerto Rico. This collection is a collaboration of various authors, blending the talents of seasoned writers and fresh voices in the horror genre.

Each story dives into the local folklore, presenting a range of monsters, spectres, and poltergeists that have haunted communities for generations. From the infamous Jersey Devil to the chilling tale of La Llorona, every entry is designed to evoke fear and curiosity. The diverse writing styles and perspectives add richness to the anthology, keeping the reader engaged and often on edge.

One of the book's strengths is its variety. The assortment of authors brings a unique flavor to each tale, ensuring that no two stories feel the same. This variety, however, can also be a double-edged sword. While some stories are masterfully crafted and truly terrifying, others may fall flat, lacking the same level of suspense or depth.

Despite this inconsistency, the anthology successfully captures the essence of American folklore. It offers a fascinating, if sometimes uneven, exploration of the supernatural. The book's regional approach provides an interesting cultural tour, making it more than just a collection of scary stories. It's a celebration of the diverse and often bizarre legends that define different parts of the country.

In conclusion, "The Haunted States of America" is a commendable anthology for horror enthusiasts and folklore aficionados alike. While not every story hits the mark, the overall experience is one of enjoyable fright and curiosity. Just be sure to read it with the lights on—and maybe don't read it alone.

Pros:
Diverse range of stories and authors
Engaging exploration of American folklore
Some genuinely terrifying tales

Cons:
Inconsistent quality among stories
Some tales lack depth and suspense

[Sara Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

** “Some people say fear can be cast off when light chases away the darkness. When the unknown is finally known, it is no longer a mystery and can be explained.” **

“The Haunted States of America,” assembled by the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and illustrated by Solomon Hughes, is a fun collection featuring haunted tales from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., fitting for both adults and children.

Told as short stories with kids and teens as the characters, all mostly three to five pages long, the tales tell a popular haunted story — be it ghosts, cryptids, witches and so on — from each of the 52 locations. Not all are commonly known stories, but many feature legends and folklore, and include well-known characters like Bigfoot, Mothman, the Lady in White, the Girl on the Side of the Road in Need of a Ride Home, the Jersey Devil and the Night Watchman.

It also includes familiar locations, like the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C., the Michigan Triangle and the infamous Stanley Hotel in Colorado.

Probably about half the stories in “The Haunted States of America” also include black and white line drawings by Solomon Hughes to add to the creep factor. The tales also remind us that urban legends can evoke “fear and curiosity in equal parts”; light can cast out darkness; and not to tempt or tease the haunters.

The stories will give the reader slight tingles up the spine without being overly scary, so all but the youngest readers will enjoy “The Haunted States of America,” which is due out July 9.

Five stars out of five.

Godwin Books provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3

A collection of fifty-two short stories of urban legends and lore from states across the United States (including Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico), written by authors from their home states.

As with any short story collection, some entries were better than others. Several stories were surprisingly strong in their twists and novelty, playing to the unique qualities of their states; others were too generic and familiar, falling back on typical scary story tropes (i.e., the hitchhiking ghost, of which a handful of stories recounted in their tales). My favorite stories were from Alaska (The Ghost in the Gold Creek Mine by Chris Eboch - with a fantastic twist at the end) and Louisiana (The Casket Girls by Jan Eldredge - with New Orleans vampires). Both of these tales successfully incorporated unique elements of their state and its history/identity into the story, which seemed to be a foundational aspect of the collection.

Generally speaking, I was generally a bigger fan of ghost stories than monster stories when it came to judging each of these entries, though even a few of the plots centered upon ghosts were disappointing (one, in particular, was fine until it moved into the didactic and unrealistically preachy about child labor laws). For other stories that felt underwhelming and underdeveloped, their shortcomings seemed, at least in part, a product of the abbreviated short story format. Particularly with short horror, it takes tremendous skill to establish the atmosphere, characters, and lore required to maximize the horror in a story.

[Permanently_Booked · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's said that legends are stories steeped in diluted truths and more times than not are used as reminders for the living.

The Haunted States of America is a creepy anthology with 52 local legends from 52 different authors. Made in collaboration with the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI); SCWBI works hard to provide an imaginative and inclusive world through the power of children’s literature.

I had so much fun with this collection and even learned a little bit about ones I never heard of from old and new stomping grounds. Each story has an illustration by Solomon Hughes that captures the creepy atmosphere of the legend you're reading. It's a captivating mix of ones I've known since I was little, like La Llorona, to the downright skin crawling Needles out of Arizona. That and The Casket Girls werd some of my favorites.

I'm a huge fan of horror based anthologies and especially enjoy the ones that come with history attached. These authors hit this one out of the park. If you enjoy urban legends, shows like Are You Afraid of the Dark or compilations like the classic Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, you'll enjoy this collection as much as I did! True rating

Thank you FierceReads and scbwi for the thrilling state by state tour of horrors! True rating 4.5/5.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shiver your way across the United States of fear in this collection of paranormal stories as long as you don’t get too scare. After all, they are only urban legends. It’s dark. Something isn’t right. What are those strange sounds—screams, or more subtly ominous noises—floating on the air. Your cellphone is useless. You’re impelled to do something you know you shouldn’t. Finally, the dramatic climax arrives, and you’re saved—or perhaps not. Variations on these supernatural elements from every state, plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., confirm that whatever the setting, humans can find scares. Even camping can be scary. The legends offer a variety of chills plus more. Some of the stories are truly frightening. Those stories were truly creepy giving me chills. I still enjoyed reading them. After all doesn’t everyone like to get scare?

The book is an entertaining, fright-filled American tour. Just think, you will know what to see if you are into paranormal/supernatural events or perhaps you will know which states not to visit. It is fun to read!

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Karen Reeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

52 spooky middle grade stories, one for each of the United States of America plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico. I always loved reading and listening to Scary Stories to Tell in The dark when I was a kid. I remember in 6th grade we would sit in a circle and take turns reading short stories from the book. Kids still love to do that today and what a fun theme! They can pick a state and read just one story or continue reading several in a row. There is such a great variety of stories. Some are certainly spookier than others and after reading one I was outside a cabin in the dark to get something from the car and the creepy feeling from the last story left we hustling back inside. I feel like there is just the right amount spooky in the book for kids 8 and older to have that chilling feeling without being a full on horror that would haunt them into being to scared to sleep. Kids will enjoy reading these for summer campfire fun, during the Halloween season or anytime they want a good creepy story.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Godwin Books , an imprint of Macmillan Children's Publishing, and Netgalley for the digital arc.
The nice thing about a collection of short stories is that you do not have to invest a lot of time. Short stories are meant to be read in one sitting. This 50+ collection provides one paranormal or ghost lore, from each of the states plus Puerto Rico and Washington DC. Each is written by a different established author,. Since the offerings not dependent on one another, I jumped in by reading the stories based in places to which I felt a connection--Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, Virginia , Tennessee, and Texas. I was familiar with famous paranormal stories from these states, but all these stories in the “Haunted States of America” were new to me. The characters, plots, and settings make it easy to read several at one sitting. Makes the perfect book for the teen who is pressed for time, or who likes horror in small bits.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe round up to three and a half stars. There were lots of parts of these spooky stories that I liked. I liked learning about the wide range of urban legends (and rural ones, too) across all the states. The stories reminded me a little of a "Goosebumps" style format, maybe that level of reader. Just so parents know, not all of them had happy endings.

I checked this book out from the library and felt some pressure to try and finish it before it was due. I probably would have liked it better if it was one that sat on my shelf and I read it in small segments rather than trying to read the whole thing straight through. Fifty two stories are a lot. At the same time, I probably would have loved the large collection of stories when I was a middle grade reader and couldn't get enough of short and quick ghost stories.

[Valerie McEnroe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book for kids who like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz. There's a scary short story for each state plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. I did not recognize most of the authors, but there are a few like Dusti Bowling (Arizona), Ellen Hopkins (Nevada), and Padma Venkatraman (Rhode Island). A lot of the stories are predictable cemetery or ghost coming back to haunt stories, but there are some original ones, which I liked the most. If your library needs another book of scary short stories for the middle grade crowd, this is a good choice.

[Stormi Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Haunted States Of America

Written: Ellen Hopkins, Kenneth Lewis, Janet Fox, Freeman Ng, and many more.
Illustrated: Solomon Hughes

4 Stars

I love a good YA book, and for a collection of shorts, this was a pretty good book. One spooky story per state. Whether true or not, each story did their state well. Some were better than others, but all left a definite spooky factor behind. As a collection, this is a story that should be on any readers list if you love to travel, or even if you don't. I know this book made clear to me a few states I will not be going to any time soon. Haha.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review

[Paige V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Discover the spine-chilling thrill of 52 hair-raising tales from across the United States in this bone-chilling collection.
Immerse yourself in the gripping narratives crafted by a collective of talented writers. Their skillful storytelling brings local urban legends to life and sends shivers down your spine.

This book weaves a tapestry of spooky and atmospheric tales, blending regional folklore with compelling characters to create a truly spooktacular reading experience.
If you're a fan of a good scare and enjoy seeing your local legends transformed into captivating stories, this book is a must-read.

Happy Spooky Reading, Paige 📚 👻

Thank you, @netgalley for the complimentary ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ingrid Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever anthology that shares a creepy story for each of the 50 states. There is the usual culprits like The Jersey Devil as well as a plethora of ghost, poltrigiest, and strange creatures.
While this collection wasn't what I was expecting ot the type of horror and ghost stories I usually read, it was still enjoyable.
If you are one who likes you horror with little to no splatter, or a YA who is just entering the wonderful genre of horror, then this would be a perfect addition to your collection.

This edition has been released on Jjul 9, 2024 by Macmillan Children's Publishing Group.

Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Caylie Ratzlaff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 3.5/5 stars.

I did enjoy how this was an anthology of short stories (which means a heck of a lot of authors) and most of the stories were short short. I also liked how some of them included sketches. The stories are not necessarily horror (or even haunted) but range from cryptids, to local legends, to ghost stories, to what I assume are just stories about some creepy places (like the Garden of Eden in Lucas KS).

Some of the stories did abruptly end while others had some interesting writing styles. It wasn't a bad anthology, but it does read younger in a sense.

[Heather Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love anthologies! As collections of short stories, you can quickly and easily read a story in about ten to twenty minutes and get a sampling of an author's writing style. And I'm honored that my short story, "White Thing," was selected to represent the state of Alabama in this collection of 52 stories from every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. I'll admit that I have favorites (shout out to Louisiana and Mississippi and California), but every single story is worth a read. Who knows, you may find a new favorite author...or a new favorite local legend?

Target audience - ages 8-13

[Giselle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I genuinely enjoyed this anthology, and I look forward to introducing it to my kids when they're a little older. There's a little something for everyone in these tales, some cautionary, some just creepy, and some a little hopeful as well. I really enjoyed how every state had its own distinct feel to it as well. Some of the stories feature legends and creatures that are well known to the area (like the Stanley Hotel, The Jersey Devil, La Llorona), but also introduces some new creepy stories as well. Also love the creepy art that accompanies most of the stories as well. Honestly, a great Middle Grade anthology of creepy tales for any young horror enthusiast!

[Carolina Colleene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Language: PG (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
The United States of America is a melting pot of people, cultures, and lore. Fifty-two authors take fifty-two myths from each of the fifty states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico to tell legends unique to those areas—ghosts, lizard men, and more!
Some of the stories are lighthearted but the majority of them are decidedly not. I loved reading about the creepy monsters I have heard of before and discovering new legends from places I have never been. Your warning is this: be careful about where you go—and what you read!—in the dark.
With a variety of authors, the characters are naturally diverse in race and sexual orientation. The language rating is for Spanish swears. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol and kissing as well as for scary elements. The violence rating is for blood and gore, corpses, death, and mentions of physical abuse, guns, cannibalism, suicide, and murder.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/

[Dale Rosenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a few collections of ghost stories attached to particular locations. I think they are often an interesting kind of folklore, providing a different lens to a local culture. So I had hopes this collection - with one ghost story set in each state - would have something implicit to say about differences among the states and effect of local climate and culture on ghost stories. It was mildly distracting but disappointing. Most of the stories could have happened anywhere. There are two Vanishing Hitchhiker stories and neither has a particularly local twist.

[Rebecca Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the feel of different states in the fall, from fields full of orange pumpkins and white cotton in the farmland of Alabama to Spanish moss hanging from gnarled trees in northern Florida to orange, gold, and blood-red leaves falling from Connecticut trees and skittering across the ground.

The settings were equally varied: long-abandoned caves and historic forts, old graveyards and haunted hotels.

I loved all the different spooky elements, ghosts and ghouls, witches, and even plants that—well, I don’t want to give that story away. But I’m glad I don’t live in Arizona!

But most of all, I love that each of the stories is bite-sized. A few minutes transports you from the mundane to somewhere perfectly creepy. A couple would be perfect for a gloomy weekend afternoon or before bed . . . but will you be able to turn off the lights after you close the book?
Complementing the spine-chilling tales is an illustration for each.

Highly recommended!

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun collection of stories!; some of short which has an advantage.

I only read stories from the statesf I had some connection to.
It's kind of eerie, because some stories just end...eerie....

Dusti Bowling was one of the authors I recognized immediately,
And I had to learn more about Silvia Acevedo who wrote the Wisconsin story:
La LLorona de Los Siet Puentes (The Wailing Woman of the Seven Bridges)

[Megyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

This was a fun book! It is full of horror stories from every state. It also had some illustrations throughout. This was a quick read and I really enjoyed it! The stories were creepy and spooky enough for kids.

I think a lot of kids will enjoy this one!

[Erin Krase-Minchk · Rating 5 out of 5]

In October, middle schoolers love scary stories. They also love short stories. This book combines both! I know a great book for the classroom when I see students negotiating "deals" to share it so they can all have a turn. This book never even made it to the shelf; it has been passed from student to student. And all students seem to have their own favorite short story!

[Candi Norwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pros:
- a folklore/legend/spooky story for every state - including Puerto Rico
- makes me want to travel to all the states to explore the sources

Cons:
- as with any anthology, the writing and storytelling is uneven and often not great
- makes me want to travel to all the states to explore the sources

Overall, a fun boon to pick up for a quick story or two at a time.

[Patrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection of "ghost stories" where each story takes place in one of the United States and Puerto Rico. These are all very well written stories that are entertaining and sometimes frightening. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook and would recommend it to anyone that enjoys a good ghost story.