Ghost Hunt: Chilling Tales of the Search for the Unknown

by Jason Hawes, Grant Wilson, Cameron Dokey (Primary Contributor)

An exciting new middle grade collection of spooky paranormal investigations based on REAL ghost hunts from stars of the TV show Ghost Hunters , the number one reality show on cable television!

In a lush, thick volume, Ghost Hunt will feature multiple stories dramatized with cliff hangers and red herrings to heighten suspense and character interaction. Through the investigations, the reader will learn the ins and outs of ghost hunting, how to spot a hoax, and how to face their fear of the paranormal.

The book will also have tips for ghost hunting at the end of the book, including guides to the technical equipment and how to set up your own traps for ghosts. Though presented as fiction, these stories are based on real cases, and the GHOSTS ARE REAL!

Genres: Paranormal, Horror, Ghosts, Ghost Stories, Nonfiction, Childrens

304 pages, Hardcover

First published August 19, 2010

Reviews

[Heidi Wiechert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize that this book was for middle grade kids when I picked it up from the library, but I still enjoyed it. Yes, the chapters that are based on the Ghost Hunter's explorations overly simplistic but they're also incredibly creepy. However, this isn't just a horror book: Jason and Grant use these pages to educate the public about what they believe ghosts are and to diffuse any fear that a kid would naturally feel when confronted with something that she doesn't understand. The last part of the book is composed of Ghost Hunter protocols so that kids can run investigations of their own and the definitions of commonly used phrases used in the book to build reader's vocabularies.

Take the ending of the investigation into Fort Mifflin: "It's a great historical site. And the paranormal activity going on is what we call a residual hunting. These ghosts don't mean you any harm. In fact, they probably don't even know you're here. They are just so attached to the place that they can't leave. So they do the same things over and over." pg 115.

Or during an investigation when a four year old sees her deceased grandma and her parents are flipping out: "Kids are very open," Jason agreed. "Sometimes they see and hear more than adults." "Because they don't know they're not supposed to," Lyssa added. pg 193. And isn't that a shame?

A fun resource for children interested in paranormal investigations, societies, or television shows. This could be a great read for a reluctant reader as well. Depending on the sensitivity of the child, Ghost Hunt should be just fine for second to sixth grade. There are some truly terrifying moments, but the overall message is about moving beyond your fears of the unknown towards new knowledge. I think that's a message worth spreading no matter what your area of study may be.

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of paranormal, ghost hunting shows and have given almost every one of them a chance. Some worked for me and became my favourite shows, some I dropped because I wasn't interested enough.

As for Ghost Hunters, I never really got through more than a few seasons. Just wasn't exactly my type of show. So I had no idea that they also wrote some books, but when I did find out I thought why not give them a try?

This one was written for kids. And I do enjoy kids' books from time to time, but this one didn't grip me. Maybe it would have if I read it 10 years ago.

But the ghost hunting guide at the end was cute. It shows you the TAPS method, then gives you an example of an investigation that you can follow and see how you do and what you've learned, and then gives you a glossary list of common ghost hunting terms.

Overall 2.5, but I'll round it up to 3.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the original tv Ghost Hunters share their methods and VERY readable stories of some of their investigations with a bonus how to guide in the back.

[Vanessa Ramos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but not on the scary level

[Kari Korkow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know this is a juvenile book but some of the stories still freaked me out. Granted, I foolishly read it at night time but it still gave me the chills on occasion. Definitely not one to read before bed. It was still interesting and if you enjoyed the show about TAPs or most other ghost investigators, it’s an interesting read.

[elmo’s gf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very interested in scary things, including paranormal stuff. I certainly think that this was a great book. It tells how TAPS investigates, and what they know about the subject. I am definitely going to read the second book!

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

No, I probably shouldn't have picked this up, all things considered. I'm not the target audience, I don't think I've seen five minutes of the show, but there are things you do because you should do them, and this book was it.

This...well, it was a lot like Scary Stories to Tell In the Dark, except they weren't scary and they weren't folk tales, so the closest comparison I can come up with is barely valid. Perhaps if I knew the show at all, it might be more enjoyable, but all I could do is sit there and say "but ghosts aren't real" over and over and over again. Never a good sign.

So yeah. I think you get the picture.

[Meredith VanOordt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoying with a lot of information.

[Kobi Solomon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the stories as I have watched their series before. It was really fun to find details on their equipment and the way they do their job. The dust cover of this hardcover book also glows in the dark which is cool. The only downside is I feel it was focused towards the younger readers. I hope their other books are for older readers.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a person who has experienced some weird things without logical explanations, I have always been interested in the paranormal. I like the approach that Jason and his team take in looking for answers for things that seem weird and creepy. I love the personal stories in these books, and this one was no different. Great read!

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of short ghost stories from the Ghost Hunters' experiences.

Most of the stories are definitely spooky. Some of them are ok, and some could do without the beginning story or the interaction of the staff. On the whole, entertaining.

[Leonore · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a very quick and easy read. The stories are fun and interesting. Many parts of the book were funny and the stories are fun to share with kids around a campfire. Nice to read for the month of October/Halloween (which is what I did).

[John Coviello · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another book by Ghost Hunter's Jason Hawes about his organization's ghost hunting adventures. It has much longer stories than his earlier book, which provides more insight into the tales of hauntings. Worth a read if you're interested in ghost hunting.

[Nora Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m have waited so long to read this book 3 years to be exact when I found 5 dollars in my piggy bank I knew I had to buy it I never wanted this book to end it was amazing I need them to make a 3rd one I loved it!!

[Hanisah Hassan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book but not too scary

[Missy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice that it is in short stories.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never expected to enjoy a book written by the hosts of Ghost Hunters, but here we are.

Rather than just recounting past investigations, this was told like an actual story. Even though the writing wasn't all that spectacular, it actually felt as if I were watching episodes of the TV show. The Ghost Hunt Guide at the end was a cute addition for children and promotes the idea that they don't need to be afraid of the unknown.

This middle grade book was the perfect October read!

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

With the popularity of the television show Ghost Hunters, the two paranormal investigators who are the leaders of The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) branched out to books, co-authoring a number of rather good books that build on experiences seen on the television show as well as detailing cases not seen on the show.

Ghost Hunt: Chilling Tales of the Unknown takes Grant Wilson and Jason Hawes to a different market. This book is aimed at young adult readers, from about third grade on up. The potential paranormal cases here are written to appeal to a younger age group. As an adult reading it, this is apparent from the style of writing right from the beginning.

The stories in Ghost Hunt: Chilling Tales of the Unknown are taken from actual TAPS investigations, but are fictionalized to appeal to their target audience. It would probably work for the most part except for one huge issue. Instead of the usual cast of paranormal investigators seen on the show, fictional characters are created to round out the investigating team. The only characters that are familiar to anyone who’s watched the show are Grant and Jason. It took a while for me to get past that. I kept trying to figure out who was who based on watching the show. It really doesn’t work that way since they really are totally fictional characters and it made for difficult reading. If I struggled with that as an adult, imagine how a young fan of the show who picks up the book is going to struggle with it.

To read my full review please go to Ghost Hunt: Chilling Tales of the Unknown by Jason Hawes, Grant Wilson, and Cameron Dokey – Confusion for Young Ghost Hunters

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mother got me hooked on the show Ghost Hunters a few years ago and in the time since I've actually read a few of their non-fictions books. When I heard they were writing books for young adults, I jumped on it. One of my favorite TV shows plus a young adult book? Sign me up! So I was excited when this came up on my PaperBackSwap wish list.

Ghost Hunt is a collection of shorts stories Jason and Grant have based off some of their real cases. However, having seen the show, it was easy for me to tell which parts of the stories were fictionalized. I was drawn in right away by the first story, but it was actually the last story I enjoyed the most. Miranda's grandmother passed away a few months ago, but she's still communicating with Miranda, whose parents are a little worried about the grandmother's unfinished business. Each story had their own unique moments of suspense.

I will say this about Ghost Hunt: it was a very quick read because it's written at a middle-school level. I read this very quickly and while it was cute, the fact that it was geared towards such a young reader left me a little bored. But, being such a big fan of the show I'm glad I read it.

At the end of the book is a little ghost hunting guide the duo have put together for amateur ghost hunters. I didn't learn anything new there, but I think it was a great little guide for middle school aged kids and I did find the quiz to be kind of fun.

Three stars. I enjoyed the stories in this collection, even if they were a little basic. If you're a fan of chilling tales, or if you're a fan of Ghost Hunters on television, then this is a must-read for you! Plus, the cover glows in the dark, which provided me much more entertainment than should be allowed for my age.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is marketed for a target audience of 11-14 years of age and contains eight short stories. It is a work of fiction, based on real encounters.

As a massive fan of Ghost Hunters and the TAPS team, I was really looking forward to reading this book. However, I have to say I found it really disappointing.

Each case is written as a story, with little focus on the ghost hunting. It is marketed as a 'fictional' work, and it is VERY easy to see which parts are fictionalised. No goosebumps, elevated heart rate or jumping out of my skin moments in there either, and the team portrayed as characters.

I felt like I was reading a complete work of fiction rather than one based on actual encounters with the paranormal, and I have to say I didn't find much of any of the cases to be very believable, I even laughed at a few of them. The blurb on the back reads like a pre-teen ghost story. I know this is aimed at the young adult market, but even as a teenager I wanted to be scared silly by the books I read, especially those purported to be based on real events.

Sadly I feel that this book could have been so much better, especially knowing the years of experience Jason and Grant have between them. I have another three TAPS books to read, and I hope this hasn't set a precedent for them all. The glow in the dark cover is pretty cool though, and I would like to find out more about Fort Mifflin.

If you like ghost stories that won't have you reaching for the light switch at three in the morning, this is the book for you. The stories are relatively short and fairly easy to read, and there is a section at the back detailing how to conduct your own ghost hunt, which I found quite amusing.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghost Hunt by Jason Dawes and Grant Wilson is due out this September for young readers and contains not only short stories, but also a guide the Ghost Hunters use on every investigation, plus activity pages. If you haven’t seen this show on television, you are missing out on one of the originals and best investigative teams examining the paranormal. They never go into a case believing the ghosts are there, but enter homes with the assumption that noises and events mostly have logical explanations.

In this chapter sampler, readers get a glimpse into the short stories (based on investigations done by the TAPS team) available in the full book. In each of the short stories, kids are at the center of the haunting activities. This angle will help young readers see themselves in the stories and relate to the characters, but the prose does not condescend to readers in the way that some stories of this nature would, but it does explain some of the technology used in the investigations.

Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2010/09/g...

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this spooky book there are eight short ghost stories, all based on case files and events experienced by the group on the show Ghost Hunters. The stories are told from the point of view of Lyssa, the new interviewer for all of their cases.

There are a variety of ghost stories in this collection, such as one about a case involving a ghost who would leave behind pennies each time it visited; another case helped a family who had a ghost without legs appear to walk up their stairs each night! And as a bonus, at the end of the book there is a guide that includes a quiz, a description of devices used on ghost hunts, and step-by-step instructions on how to conduct your own ghost hunt.

The reader doesn’t need to be familiar with the Ghost Hunters show or the crew that appears on it—I’m not and I enjoyed this collection of stories very much. Those that enjoyed this book might also enjoy the Haunted Mysteries series (Grabenstein).

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first impression after diving into this book was that Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson should stick to ghost hunting rather than writing, because the writing was quite juvenile; however, upon further investigation I discovered the target age range for the book is 11-14 years, which made the choppier writing a lot more tolerable. It's a fun read for young adults or adults who enjoy spooky ghost stories along the same lines as the "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" or similar tales. As someone who finds "true" ghost stories more entertaining, however, I felt frustrated that anything Jason and Grant had actually encountered on their ghost hunting trips had been so integrated into their fictional storytelling and twisted to suit the stories that it lost its eerie appeal. Since this book wasn't written for adults, however, I can't really hold that against the authors. It works for the target audience, I think.

[Deborah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The guys from the SyFy channel's reality show Ghost Hunters put together a book of their ghost hunts involving youth. Each story is short. They introduce the case from the "victim's" point of view and then switch to the ghost hunting team. One member of the team, Lyssa, is new and her naivete with each new case gets old in the first story. The stories are a bit creepy.

Give to your kids asking for scary stories or who like to read about poltergeists and hauntings.

Grades 4-6th.

[Fiona Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories from the families and the victims are scare but like the show I find that once the TAPS team enters the sene that the story lose it follow and it chillingness and becomes more comical in tone. Though overall I did enjoy the book and would like to read the second one. I also found the ghost hunting guide for amerture parnormal investigation as a great read and makes you want go out there and catch some ghosts

[Nelson lim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was a bit too easy. It was also a bit confusing because they tell tales about diffrent thinngs in a book. What I like was when I undrstanded the book and when I did the chilling tales almost came to life. I also thought it was true a bit because on discovery channle There ase some movies that talk about ghosts. In this book when some one thinks their haunted they call them.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too scary set of stories based on actual reports of paranormal activity. The guys from the Ghost Hunters TV show have recast these stories so that their actual paranormal society is made up of child versions of themselves and others, and they take a look at these ghost reports. Good for kids because it's fairly light on the scare factor.

[Roxann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to keep in mind that this book's target audience was grade 4-9. As an adult reading it, the writing was chopping and simple. The stories were based on real ghosts/situations that T.A.P.S. have had, but it was written in fiction form for children. If you have a child that is interested in ghosts this would be a good book for them. Easy to read and not too scary for them.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting investigations in this book. I like the book because you get to experience some of the things you miss from TV, but it is written pretty simplistically, probably so younger kids could read it if they wanted. Definitely worth the read, if only to hear about some interesting paranormal events!

[✦BookishlyRichie✦ · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books just seem like a big advertisement for Ghost Hunters.
Nearly every single story has someone mentioning TAPS and talking about
the founders of Ghost Hunters. The stories weren't spooky at all and they felt
as if they were written for a 5 year old. This is a middle grade book, the stories
should be a little scary at least.