Hauntings: And Other Tales of Danger, Love, and Sometimes Loss

by Betsy Hearne

What would you do if . . . you knew secrets that others would kill to protect? your parents became people you didn't recognize? a ghostly pair of highway robbers stopped you on a dark road in the dead of night? an old toy crow suddenly came alive, and you were the only one who heard it flying around the attic? suddenly, you were the only one who could see peril around every turn? In fifteen eerie tales, you will meet the lonely, the troubled, the grieving—the ones who must answer these questions. They have choices; they have fears; they have life . . . and death. They will haunt you long after their stories end.

Genres: Young Adult, Short Stories

224 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2007

About the author

Betsy Hearne is the author of numerous articles and books, including Choosing Books for Children: A Commonsense Guide, the folktale anthology Beauties and Beasts, fiction for both children and young adults, and picture books—one of which, Seven Brave Women, won the Jane Addams Children's Book Award. The former children's book editor of Booklist and of The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, she has reviewed books for almost forty years and contributes regularly to The Horn Book Magazine.

Hearne was the former Director of The Center for Children's Books and a professor emerita in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she taught children's literature and storytelling for many years.

Reviews

[Rebecca Weimert]

Rebecca Weimert
Short Stories

Hauntings is a collection of short stories about love, loss, and the afterlife. The book is divided into three parts. Part One is set in Ireland in the past, Part Two is set in the present in the United States, and Part Three is set in Heaven and Hell. The stories reveal that not only do hauntings include ghosts, but the longings of troubled souls. Some stories are dark and scary, while others are happy and kind.

Although the stories in this collection were interesting, I believe this book will only appeal to a small number of young adults. Some of the stories did not fit well with the theme of the book. For example, most of the tales were about ghosts and tortured souls, but others were happy, about changed lives and God helping orphans. These stories seemed out of place. However, I did find the notes to be interesting. The notes explained the real tales and why the author wanted to change them.

[Madz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was somewhat enjoyable in different parts. I got this book at my local library as a “blind date with a book,” so I didn’t know what was in it. I thought I would enjoy it, but I really didn’t.

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

None of the stories made any sense. I was very confused the whole time.

[Jennie]

The book "Hauntings" is a collection of short stories, ranging from old Irish tales to present day stories, to stories set in heaven and in hell. I, personally, felt as if this book were aimed at a younger grade than mine; probably 10th grade would be most suitable. I would not recommend this book to not be bought, unless you feel some students would enjoy it. I, though, felt all the stories were mediocre and uninteresting. The basis of the stories is supposed to be scary stories and these stories seemed flat to me. Overall, I was unimpressed entirely by this book.

[Andi M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book was enjoyable in parts, I was looking for some connection between the seemingly odd sections. The first section was devoted to retellings of Celtic myth. The second section dealt largely with issues associated with American teens, and the final section was two stories about God and the devil and the dogs in their lives. While I did find the sections odd, I thought the stories were nicely written as a whole. Give it a read, but get it from the library.

[Emily Pickell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a big short story fan. I find it hard to start all over again with a new story, new characters etc.. every few pages. But, this was written by a professor I took a class from so I was interested. I liked a majority of the stories, especially the longer short story about trees. I lost interest by the last two about heaven and hell.

[Cece · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some faves-including Angel at the top of mst liked out of all them. The one's past in the past in Ireland were better (in my opinion) than the other stories based in the present and future.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely set of spooky short stories. I actually preferred the first section, with the folktale kind of ghost stories. The other sections just didn't grab my attention as much and I found myself skimming and not really enjoying them as much.

[Beth Emery · Rating 3 out of 5]

some of these stories are fantastic, and some of the stories are just BAD. it's a weird mix of quality. still, worth looking for those gems, especially coins, fortress, nurse's fee, angel, and secret trees.

[Erin Phelps · Rating 3 out of 5]

well, i've finished it, and some of the stories have some genuinely creepy moments. some of the stories are sort of, i don't know, stiff or something though.

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the first part of this book with the stories from Ireland (most especially "The Nurse's Fee") but with the second part of the book, it just kind of fizzled for me.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories here are really excellent ("Secret Trees," "Tryst") but others fall flat ("Fall," "Loose Chippings").

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

These were enjoyable retellings of tales. Very fast-paced and short stories. Interesting collection.

[Kitana Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was decent. A couple of the stories were kinda boring.

[Vicky · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was very underwhelming. Barely finished, and don't think I even cared enough to comprehend most of it. Could have been better.

[Chelsea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why was this even published? Waste of time.