Ghostly Evidence

Definitely the best non-fiction ghost book for kids that I've read. Halls makes it clear from the beginning that the existence of ghosts isn't fact -- it's something that some people believe, but there's not a lot of hard evidence to prove that ghosts are real. She presents her findings, then lets the reader draw his or her own conclusions, which (I think) is the correct way to approach a topic of this nature. She also addresses WHY we're so fascinated by ghosts, a point that's not generally discussed in other books. Other authors are sometimes more focused on shocking and scaring, without commenting on how ghosts can be entwined with strong emotions.

There's a wealth of information here -- Halls draws from interviews, history, and her own personal experiences. She talks to believers and skeptics alike, giving the book a really balanced perspective. There are lots of pictures -- some are doctored to look super-spooky, and definitely lend visual interest. Others are real photos that may baffle readers with their bizarre ghostly images.

Since I'm an avid reader, I loved how Halls included the ghostly experiences of three children's authors. Lisa Yee, Vivian Vande Velde, and Bruce Coville all tell about bizarre experiences they've had that may have been the work of ghosts. I'm familiar with all these authors and trust in their sanity, so their testimonies are compelling evidence in favor of the supernatural.

This is a must-have book for all libraries -- it's a balanced, well-researched, and thoroughly fascinating look at the paranormal.