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Boo!: Everything you ever wanted to know about fear
What are you afraid of? Maybe it's heights, public speaking, spiders... or things that go bump in the night. Whatever your biggest fear, have you ever wondered why it gets to you so much?
Boo!
will answer that question and a lot more, on a fascinating thrill-ride where you'll discover everything you ever wanted to know about fear, but were afraid to ask.
Boo! explores the science and history of fear in engrossing—and often just plain gross—detail, with illustrations throughout that will appeal to any curious 10–13-year-old. Across thirteen chapters, learn why fear is an evolutionary advantage, what hoaxes and hysteria reveal about the human psyche, and how fear has been used for both good and ill over the centuries. You'll meet historical figures with surprising phobias, such as Emperor Augustus and his fear of lightning. And you'll creep through some of the eeriest real-life hauntings ever reported, from the rattling bars of the Ohio State Reformatory to the seafaring spirits of California's RMS Queen Mary. Other chapters unravel the long history of telling scary stories and even teach you how to tell your own, with quoted wisdom from some of the best to ever do it. You'll also take a peek behind the workings of your favorite horror movies and learn what makes them work.
But fear is more than ghosts and Boo ! takes a serious look at the kinds of fears we all deal with every day, from FOMO to anxiety. Tips and tricks for identifying, managing, and conquering your fears are laid out in clear terms, giving you the confidence to be courageous in your day-to-day life.
From the depths of the human brain to the voices from beyond the grave, and tackling the fears familiar to us all, Boo! is a must-have guide to this endlessly interesting yet little understood topic. Whether you're looking for a dose of psychology, pop-culture, folklore, mental wellbeing tips, or just a good old-fashioned scare, this is the book for you.
Boo! explores the science and history of fear in engrossing—and often just plain gross—detail, with illustrations throughout that will appeal to any curious 10–13-year-old. Across thirteen chapters, learn why fear is an evolutionary advantage, what hoaxes and hysteria reveal about the human psyche, and how fear has been used for both good and ill over the centuries. You'll meet historical figures with surprising phobias, such as Emperor Augustus and his fear of lightning. And you'll creep through some of the eeriest real-life hauntings ever reported, from the rattling bars of the Ohio State Reformatory to the seafaring spirits of California's RMS Queen Mary. Other chapters unravel the long history of telling scary stories and even teach you how to tell your own, with quoted wisdom from some of the best to ever do it. You'll also take a peek behind the workings of your favorite horror movies and learn what makes them work.
But fear is more than ghosts and Boo ! takes a serious look at the kinds of fears we all deal with every day, from FOMO to anxiety. Tips and tricks for identifying, managing, and conquering your fears are laid out in clear terms, giving you the confidence to be courageous in your day-to-day life.
From the depths of the human brain to the voices from beyond the grave, and tackling the fears familiar to us all, Boo! is a must-have guide to this endlessly interesting yet little understood topic. Whether you're looking for a dose of psychology, pop-culture, folklore, mental wellbeing tips, or just a good old-fashioned scare, this is the book for you.
- GenresChildrens
200 pages, Hardcover
First published August 4, 2026
About the author
Clive Gifford
832 books53 followersClive Gifford is a highly experienced journalist and author with over 170 books published and more than 800 features and stories written for adults and children.
Clive is an unusual author who likes to work in both fiction and non-fiction. Perhaps this reflects his unusual life which, so far, has seen him travel to over 70 countries, be held hostage in Colombia, go parachuting, coach several sports and run a computer games company.
He says: "What drives me more than anything else is the desire to communicate, entertain and inform through the written word."
Clive is an unusual author who likes to work in both fiction and non-fiction. Perhaps this reflects his unusual life which, so far, has seen him travel to over 70 countries, be held hostage in Colombia, go parachuting, coach several sports and run a computer games company.
He says: "What drives me more than anything else is the desire to communicate, entertain and inform through the written word."
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 14, 2026
Boo! is a unique read. The book has a huge range of information that will appeal to young children all the way to adults. There is something for everyone, including how the brain processes fear, why clowns are frightening, ancient customs, ghost stories, and how to write your own scary story.
Gifford and Eason have done a remarkable job combining a book full of factual information with a bit of imagination. Each page is illustrated with drawings and imagery to complement the text, in a fantastically creepy black-and-white sketch style. Readers will see imagery of clowns making you cringe but also diagrams of the brain. It gives the book an almost graphic novel feel, making it easily accessible to any reader. You may or may not believe everything you read here, but even skeptics will find entertainment value in the text. The author addresses the history of belief and non-belief by discussing a wide number of topics including personal experiences individuals have had, official reporting of events, such as UFOs, and religion or philosophy. Ultimately though, Gifford works to inform the reader about the emotion of fear. Anyone who loves when those tiny hairs stand up on their neck during a movie, a campfire story, or a bump in the night will enjoy this book. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Gifford and Eason have done a remarkable job combining a book full of factual information with a bit of imagination. Each page is illustrated with drawings and imagery to complement the text, in a fantastically creepy black-and-white sketch style. Readers will see imagery of clowns making you cringe but also diagrams of the brain. It gives the book an almost graphic novel feel, making it easily accessible to any reader. You may or may not believe everything you read here, but even skeptics will find entertainment value in the text. The author addresses the history of belief and non-belief by discussing a wide number of topics including personal experiences individuals have had, official reporting of events, such as UFOs, and religion or philosophy. Ultimately though, Gifford works to inform the reader about the emotion of fear. Anyone who loves when those tiny hairs stand up on their neck during a movie, a campfire story, or a bump in the night will enjoy this book. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Want to Read
August 2, 2026I want to read this so bad lol I know it's a children's book, but I looked at a reading example on Amazon and WOW, that is one amazing children's book and very informal. If I win this, I'll read and pass it on to the children in my own town.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews