Ghostly Evidence: Exploring the Paranormal

Pitched for kids but was useful.

My daughter loves all the stories in this book. Great buy.

In the way of kid's non-fiction books about the paranormal, I thought this was one of the best ones that I have encountered. As for older folk who read this book, the content is pretty basic and you may find it a bit lacking if you are looking for more in depth information.Still, this was deserving of a read and four stars. The book is thoughtfully organised and has quite a few interesting photographs as well. The author retains her composure throughout, never trying to convince the reader one way or the other on what they should believe and staying neutral herself, even at the end where she draws her conclusion.I thought this was handled very professionally and will give kids a look at a realm of science that is not yet well understood. The author did a lot of research, including travel in order to write this book, and I think it came out well.If you have a child who is interested (over ten) in the paranormal and are looking for reading material for them that is reality based and without the common silliness one finds in this non-fiction genre, this would be a good book to choose.This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

My review from the San Francisco Book Review:Do you believe in ghosts? Most people claim they don’t but somehow are not quite so sure when things go bump in the night or when they walk through a cold, clammy spot in a warm room. Some hear whispers or moans or even see ephemeral beings floating above a stairway or through a hallway. Yet in all the history of such reports, and that history is long and rich, there seems to be no real proof that ghosts exist, although not for lack of trying. Kelly Milner Halls takes a hard look at the paranormal just as she has with other unusual topics such as reports of aliens and the search for Sasquatch. Halls gives a good overview of several well-known, fascinating places with records of paranormal appearances and visitations. She has clearly pored over the records and photographs, listened to recordings, interviewed witnesses and ghost hunters and scientists, and distilled all that information for young readers. What middle-grade reader would not be absolutely fascinated with this wonderful compendium of information on ghostly sightings? This non-fiction work has lots of suggested readings, internet links, and ghostly places to visit. The writing is terrific and the research impeccable.

I love how balanced this author is. She explores science & mysteries without overwhelming the reader, persuading the reader, or making the reader feel sheepish for considering the possibility of the unexplained. She leads kids through the fascinating by staying true to what facts exist, and she encourages them to focus on science and research to find their answers. That's the kind of critical thinking we need our young readers to embrace. Another great book by KMH.

Kelly Milner Halls has made her mark writing fascinating, well-researched non-fiction about weird topics. Ghostly Evidence is a wonderful examination of paranormal topics, from hoaxes to spirit photography, to the tools ghost hunters use. As usual, Halls uses the best research, lays it out, and then encourages readers to come to their own conclusions. I love the sidebars, and her personal note at the end, which explains how her own thinking changed over the course of researching the book. My only complaint is that the book is so interesting that I wanted more! Buy this for the quirky, curious kid (or adult) in your life!

What a great book for kids 8-12 who have a curiosity about the natural and supernatural world. The author does a fine job balancing ghostly tales with documented evidence. It fits well with her books about Cryptids, Sasquatch, and Alien encounters.I loved the biographies of mediums and debunkers, and the section where she reveals how ghost photographs can be faked was amazing. That would be a cool class project!

Kelly Milner Halls has done a fabulous job constructing a ghost book that both kids and adults will enjoy reading. She incorporates chilling ghostly encounters with a healthy sprinkling of reality, letting the reader make up their mind about whether or not to believe in the paranormal. My 11-year-old son and I were literally fighting over this book after he left it laying in the living room and I picked it up and started reading it.