** “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.

The Haunted States of America, by numerous authors, was received directly from the publisher and I chose to review it. The first thing to keep in mind is this is an all ages book, so any horrific frights or gore is not really here. Secondly, I have lived in many of these United States and I had not heard this folklore or urban legends in those states, so I am not sure if they "dug deep" or if this is all fiction. The stories are easy to read and the book overall was a quick read. Some stories are better than others, as in all anthologies. I suggest if you plan to take youngsters camping, even if just in the back yard, you buy this book and share these stories around a campfire or flashlight.

4 Stars

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!

"The Haunted States of America" anthology presents a compelling compilation of urban legends from across the United States, brought to life by a variety of authors. From the spine-chilling Jersey Devil to the haunting cries of La Llorona, this book promises a journey through the nation's most infamous and eerie tales.

The anthology stands out for its ambition, attempting to cover the supernatural lore of every state, including D.C. and Puerto Rico. The result is a diverse and eclectic mix of stories, each offering a unique glimpse into regional fears and curiosities. The blend of experienced writers and newcomers brings a fresh and dynamic energy to the collection, though it also contributes to some variability in quality.

Among the highlights are tales that deliver genuine chills, masterfully blending suspense with the macabre. These stories effectively tap into the primal fears that fuel urban legends, creating memorable and unsettling experiences. However, not all entries achieve the same level of impact. Some stories feel rushed or underdeveloped, lacking the tension and depth that characterize the anthology's stronger pieces.

Despite these inconsistencies, the anthology maintains a compelling atmosphere throughout. Its greatest strength lies in its ability to evoke a sense of place, drawing readers into the local color and culture that shape each legend. This geographical and cultural richness adds layers to the horror, making the anthology not just a collection of scares, but a fascinating exploration of American folklore.

"The Haunted States of America" is an enjoyable read for horror fans and those interested in folklore. While it may not be uniformly terrifying, it offers enough thrills and insights to keep readers engaged. It's a book that invites you to explore the shadows of the familiar, but beware—you might just bring a bit of the darkness back with you.

Pros:
Wide range of regional stories
Engaging mix of veteran and new authors
Captures the essence of American folklore

Cons:
Inconsistent story quality
Some tales lack suspense and development

"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

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.

This was a fun haunted story collection from every state. It was neat to see the stories from my home state of MI and surrounding states of IN and IL especially. These stories were short and just creepy enough to not be terrifying. Great collection!

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

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

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?

I enjoyed reading this book. i found it interesting that all the states had a haunting story to tell. it really held my interest. its been hard to do that lately.

Honestly girlies, I did not like this what so ever. So I'm here to review and dip. But I am grateful to have been able to receive the ARC.

This was a fun quick read. I enjoy reading some YA horror every once in a while and this was definitely worth it!! Highly recommend!

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.

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 lol 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!

4 stars

I saw Ellen Hopkins name and the subject matter and just knew I had to read this one. It was definitely not a let down. What a fun concept and book. Though it’s listed for Y/A I think people of all ages will enjoy it.
If you’re into haunting and urban legends this will be a great read for you, no matter your age.