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Are You Afraid Yet?: The Science Behind Scary Stuff
Want a good scare? Try reading about severed heads that blink, killer viruses that eat their human host, and real-life werewolves (just for starters)! Scared yet? That's okay - feeling scared is natural and useful. Want to know more about these and other fears? Pick up this one-of-a-kind book, an illustrated investigation into all the stuff that's frightened us out of our wits for centuries and the gruesome, gory, gut-churning science behind it. What makes our skin crawl and our spines tingle? Why do we shiver? Why do scary movies make us scream? Uncover the truth behind such scaremongers as King Kong, UFOs, vampires, mummies, ghosts, haunted houses, and many more. First-person and historical accounts and expert scientific opinions make this the ideal book for both skeptics and believers - and anyone who loves a good old-fashioned scare. The comic-book style panels and bite-sized freaky facts mean that you can gorge on or just nibble little bits of scary stuff.
80 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 17, 2009
If you work anywhere near a library (or have children of your own), I don't have to emphasize the fact that there are tons of kids who flock to the frightening. If it has werewolves, zombies, or any other of the classic horror cast of characters, it's gonna get circulated like mad. Are You Afraid Yet? The Science Behind Scary Stuff goes well beyond simply exploiting the spooky, describing (as the subtitle suggests) the scientific processes behind fear. An entertaining little book that has appeal to spare.
A slightly sinister version of the author narrates Are You Afraid Yet?, gleefully jumping from one macabre topic to the next. And there is plenty of material. Name a classic horror tale, from Frankenstein to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and this book touches on it - sometimes to describe the real-life inspiration for these tales, sometimes in an attempt to explain the biology behind the horror. Along the way readers will discover why maggots develop on rotting flesh, the scientific explanation for why monsters are ugly, why old houses sometimes seem to be haunted, and scores of other spooky miscellanea.
Black and white illustration plays a prominent role, with titles, illustrations, and even comic book style interludes mixed in with the text, upping the reluctant-reader appeal.
The tone is always one of instruction. Gruesome details are provided by our narrator, but always with an eye for the science behind them. There is a section on beheading, for instance, that will leave you feeling like a minor expert on the subject. In addition, Mr. O'Meara's informal style of writing will likely appeal to many young readers who are looking for an alternative to textbook dreariness.
From front to back, a pleasure to read. Content, illustrations, and style combine to make Are You Afraid Yet? a highly recommended nonfiction selection.
A slightly sinister version of the author narrates Are You Afraid Yet?, gleefully jumping from one macabre topic to the next. And there is plenty of material. Name a classic horror tale, from Frankenstein to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and this book touches on it - sometimes to describe the real-life inspiration for these tales, sometimes in an attempt to explain the biology behind the horror. Along the way readers will discover why maggots develop on rotting flesh, the scientific explanation for why monsters are ugly, why old houses sometimes seem to be haunted, and scores of other spooky miscellanea.
Black and white illustration plays a prominent role, with titles, illustrations, and even comic book style interludes mixed in with the text, upping the reluctant-reader appeal.
The tone is always one of instruction. Gruesome details are provided by our narrator, but always with an eye for the science behind them. There is a section on beheading, for instance, that will leave you feeling like a minor expert on the subject. In addition, Mr. O'Meara's informal style of writing will likely appeal to many young readers who are looking for an alternative to textbook dreariness.
From front to back, a pleasure to read. Content, illustrations, and style combine to make Are You Afraid Yet? a highly recommended nonfiction selection.
May 13, 2013
Kristen Sava
O'Meara, S. J. (2009). Are you afraid yet?: The science behind scary stuff (J. Kaposy, Illustrator). Toronto: Kids Can Press.
Genre: Informational
Awards: YALSA’s Quick Picks for Young Adults
Format: Print -hardback
Selection Process: YALSA Teen Book Finder, Bowker Books in Print
Review:
A little book that can pack a punch. Filled with freaky facts behind all things scary, O'Meara takes readers on an information joy ride for those who love to be scared. With information behind why humans get scared and the brain science behind the release of chemicals and what we do with them, readers will be better able to handle the next chapters of the book which are all about things that scare us. Not very true to its title, the book goes into the science behind things that are gross or unexplained rather than scary, including the headless horseman, the guillotine, Frankenstein and vampires. The scary behind such things as items hidden beneath water can be truly frightening; however, the author delves into topics too often talked about and the science behind scary stuff is scary in its lack of frightening details and phobias. Its small size, clever illustrations and fast facts will still entice reluctant readers, but it is its lack of an index, table of contents and extended resources that makes this book truly scary. Recommended with reservations.
O'Meara, S. J. (2009). Are you afraid yet?: The science behind scary stuff (J. Kaposy, Illustrator). Toronto: Kids Can Press.
Genre: Informational
Awards: YALSA’s Quick Picks for Young Adults
Format: Print -hardback
Selection Process: YALSA Teen Book Finder, Bowker Books in Print
Review:
A little book that can pack a punch. Filled with freaky facts behind all things scary, O'Meara takes readers on an information joy ride for those who love to be scared. With information behind why humans get scared and the brain science behind the release of chemicals and what we do with them, readers will be better able to handle the next chapters of the book which are all about things that scare us. Not very true to its title, the book goes into the science behind things that are gross or unexplained rather than scary, including the headless horseman, the guillotine, Frankenstein and vampires. The scary behind such things as items hidden beneath water can be truly frightening; however, the author delves into topics too often talked about and the science behind scary stuff is scary in its lack of frightening details and phobias. Its small size, clever illustrations and fast facts will still entice reluctant readers, but it is its lack of an index, table of contents and extended resources that makes this book truly scary. Recommended with reservations.
November 12, 2009
This will be a very easy title to booktalk. Are You Afraid of the Dark is a great package, highlighting reluctant reader-attracting subjects (Ghosts! Decapitation! Aliens!), and making good use of the black and white format (graphic-novel-style panels, retro-goofy illustrations). There are places where I think the book would be improved by some definitions and/or clearer language in places, as well as finding aids and bibliographic or further reading sections, but overall, this is a great nonfiction title which will appeal to its target audience: namely, middle-grade reluctant readers.
SSBRC
SSBRC
January 3, 2018
A fun informational book about scary things, and, often, the rational explanations behind them! With real-life stories and folktales, the book talks about aliens, ghosts, and monsters, as well as other things that might scare you. Without dismissing the possibility of many of these things, it also provides a reasonable explanation for many of them. For example, it provides the facts about aliens- that there have been no credible crashes found. Yet, it also talks about the possibility of extraterrestrials existing out there, and posits that, though they may not have come yet, that doesn't mean that they won't!
Overall a great and informational read, for skeptics and believers alike, which is both factual and still wondering at the marvelous and sometimes unexplainable.
Overall a great and informational read, for skeptics and believers alike, which is both factual and still wondering at the marvelous and sometimes unexplainable.
Read
November 29, 2023It was a really good book and I like the way the author put some of the things.
July 1, 2013
Review: Daniel Kraus, Booklist, Mar. 15, 2009, Vol. 105, No. 14
I enjoyed this simple scientific exploration of fear. O’Meara clearly explains the physical and emotional basis behind scary phenomenon. In each section, O’Meara reveals literary or movie origins of a certain subject, such as vampires, scientific reasons for being afraid, and what the body specifically does in reaction to a scary event. Jeremy Kaposy’s graphic novel illustrations allow for the text to be organized in an easy to read fashion and draw in even the most reluctant readers.
Very few nonfiction books deal with the topic of fear. This fact-based collection is sure to excite teenage boys who love understanding the scientific basis behind the seemingly inexplicable. The accompanying comic illustrations bring the text to life while captions and sidebars highlight facts, reflections, or explanations related to the text. O’Meara tackles a range of scary topics including ghosts, decapitation, vampires, mummies, aliens, and more. In each topic, he identifies what makes these things scary, their origin (whether movies, books, or real life), and scientific facts surrounding the phenomenon. The only topic that he left out is zombies, an oversight that I think would have added more intrigue to the book based on today’s cultural fascination with the topic.
The author’s strongest connection to the subject of fear is that he once interacted with a ghost. The science seems to be thoroughly researched and written using references and explanations that are easy for young adult readers to understand. As a scientist himself, most of his professional work focuses on astronomy, not fear, belying his expertise in this area. Nevertheless, O’Meara cites many researchers by name and often by university. He includes the full title of books or referenced movies, including their published date. Unfortunately, O’Meara does not include a list of citations or appendix with further information or sites. For a ‘nonfiction’ book, I was disappointed that approximately half of his information or references were fictional books and movies rather than nonfiction or research.
Are You Afraid Yet? has strong ties to biology, including references to the amygdala, the purpose of endorphins and adrenaline, and funny scientific facts such as how a chicken could survive with its head cut off. Teachers could use the book to illustrate science using intriguing real-life events and stories. For example, when studying the parts of the brain, students can read about “fear central” in the amygdala and its chemical signals.
Much of the scientific jargon would be lost on younger readers, even though the content would be of interest to students from late elementary school on up. Due to the fear factor as well as the wordiness of some of the text, this book would be best suited for high school boys who love learning about the why behind events and don’t mind (perhaps even enjoy) being creeped out.In 2010, it was selected as a YALSA Quick Picks book for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. At an age when it is difficult to get high school students to pick up a book for leisure reading, this quick read is sure to excite budding scientists who love a scare.
I enjoyed this simple scientific exploration of fear. O’Meara clearly explains the physical and emotional basis behind scary phenomenon. In each section, O’Meara reveals literary or movie origins of a certain subject, such as vampires, scientific reasons for being afraid, and what the body specifically does in reaction to a scary event. Jeremy Kaposy’s graphic novel illustrations allow for the text to be organized in an easy to read fashion and draw in even the most reluctant readers.
Very few nonfiction books deal with the topic of fear. This fact-based collection is sure to excite teenage boys who love understanding the scientific basis behind the seemingly inexplicable. The accompanying comic illustrations bring the text to life while captions and sidebars highlight facts, reflections, or explanations related to the text. O’Meara tackles a range of scary topics including ghosts, decapitation, vampires, mummies, aliens, and more. In each topic, he identifies what makes these things scary, their origin (whether movies, books, or real life), and scientific facts surrounding the phenomenon. The only topic that he left out is zombies, an oversight that I think would have added more intrigue to the book based on today’s cultural fascination with the topic.
The author’s strongest connection to the subject of fear is that he once interacted with a ghost. The science seems to be thoroughly researched and written using references and explanations that are easy for young adult readers to understand. As a scientist himself, most of his professional work focuses on astronomy, not fear, belying his expertise in this area. Nevertheless, O’Meara cites many researchers by name and often by university. He includes the full title of books or referenced movies, including their published date. Unfortunately, O’Meara does not include a list of citations or appendix with further information or sites. For a ‘nonfiction’ book, I was disappointed that approximately half of his information or references were fictional books and movies rather than nonfiction or research.
Are You Afraid Yet? has strong ties to biology, including references to the amygdala, the purpose of endorphins and adrenaline, and funny scientific facts such as how a chicken could survive with its head cut off. Teachers could use the book to illustrate science using intriguing real-life events and stories. For example, when studying the parts of the brain, students can read about “fear central” in the amygdala and its chemical signals.
Much of the scientific jargon would be lost on younger readers, even though the content would be of interest to students from late elementary school on up. Due to the fear factor as well as the wordiness of some of the text, this book would be best suited for high school boys who love learning about the why behind events and don’t mind (perhaps even enjoy) being creeped out.In 2010, it was selected as a YALSA Quick Picks book for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. At an age when it is difficult to get high school students to pick up a book for leisure reading, this quick read is sure to excite budding scientists who love a scare.
February 2, 2010
I'm always on the lookout for new books for my son to read. He has the potential to be as voracious a reader as my husband and I are. He loves monster books and science books. Are You Afraid Yet? by Stephen James O'Meara seemed like the perfect combination of the two but the book fell short for him.
The first thing that put my son off was it's comic book approach. The illustrations are all done in a Roy Lichtenstein, popart inspired, over done comic book style. He's not a comic book reader and is very selective of the few graphic novels he reads.
For my son science inspires the creative process behind the monsters who inhabit Monster City. By itself science is a fascinating subject. He loves a good science book and has a wide range of interests: geology, biology, botany and so forth. Looking for scientific explanations behind well known monster stories is counter intuitive for my son. He felt like the book was saying that science is boring except for when it is inspiring monster stories.
Creativity for my son is central to his love of monsters. The standard monsters with their well established stories and powers seem like copouts. According to him vampires, werewolves, golems and the like are the stuff for people who can't (or don't want to) think up anything new.
After Sean tried and promptly nixed the book, I gave it a go. Although I don't share my son's dismissal of the standard horror creatures I did find the comic book illustrations a distraction rather than an asset. The book also suffers from trying to get too many stories crammed into too short of a book. It's only 80 pages long and it jumps through topics every page or so. There's really not enough time to go into depth with any one topic.
The first thing that put my son off was it's comic book approach. The illustrations are all done in a Roy Lichtenstein, popart inspired, over done comic book style. He's not a comic book reader and is very selective of the few graphic novels he reads.
For my son science inspires the creative process behind the monsters who inhabit Monster City. By itself science is a fascinating subject. He loves a good science book and has a wide range of interests: geology, biology, botany and so forth. Looking for scientific explanations behind well known monster stories is counter intuitive for my son. He felt like the book was saying that science is boring except for when it is inspiring monster stories.
Creativity for my son is central to his love of monsters. The standard monsters with their well established stories and powers seem like copouts. According to him vampires, werewolves, golems and the like are the stuff for people who can't (or don't want to) think up anything new.
After Sean tried and promptly nixed the book, I gave it a go. Although I don't share my son's dismissal of the standard horror creatures I did find the comic book illustrations a distraction rather than an asset. The book also suffers from trying to get too many stories crammed into too short of a book. It's only 80 pages long and it jumps through topics every page or so. There's really not enough time to go into depth with any one topic.
August 9, 2013
(from the back of the book)
What freaks you out? Maggots? Severed heads? Vampires? Whatever your fear factor, you'll find it in this compendium of murder, mayhem and monsters. You'll also find out what science has to say about the things that make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Are some houses haunted or just the victims of bad plumbing? Could a big scary ape like King Kong really exist? Is Bigfoot a big hoax or the descendant of a long-ago giant ape from China? Were the tombs of the pharaohs cursed or were they haunted by something even more deadly?
This was a quick and fairly enjoyable read. It doesn't delve too deeply into any one of the creepy topics that it covers, but maybe young readers will like it better this way. I was most impressed with the way the book kept reinforcing critical thinking and showed the way that many "supernatural" phenomena may have natural explanations. That's not to say that all the cool, creepy parts have boring explanations. Some of the scientific information is the most interesting, like the ability of a severed head to remain conscious or the likelihood that other intelligent life exists in our galaxy.
I would recommend this book to fourth through eighth graders. It would be great for any kid who likes creepy or scary stuff and also for kids interested in science. I am a little lost on readalikes, but Amazon recommends How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg and Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem by Rosalyn Schanzer.
What freaks you out? Maggots? Severed heads? Vampires? Whatever your fear factor, you'll find it in this compendium of murder, mayhem and monsters. You'll also find out what science has to say about the things that make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Are some houses haunted or just the victims of bad plumbing? Could a big scary ape like King Kong really exist? Is Bigfoot a big hoax or the descendant of a long-ago giant ape from China? Were the tombs of the pharaohs cursed or were they haunted by something even more deadly?
This was a quick and fairly enjoyable read. It doesn't delve too deeply into any one of the creepy topics that it covers, but maybe young readers will like it better this way. I was most impressed with the way the book kept reinforcing critical thinking and showed the way that many "supernatural" phenomena may have natural explanations. That's not to say that all the cool, creepy parts have boring explanations. Some of the scientific information is the most interesting, like the ability of a severed head to remain conscious or the likelihood that other intelligent life exists in our galaxy.
I would recommend this book to fourth through eighth graders. It would be great for any kid who likes creepy or scary stuff and also for kids interested in science. I am a little lost on readalikes, but Amazon recommends How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg and Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem by Rosalyn Schanzer.
February 17, 2011
OK...usually when it says gross it isn't too gross. But this book is definitely over the top. Lots of blood and gore and way too much info about decapitation.....
I am undecided if I think it's a good book. It will definitely be something that many kids will like, but dare I sound like a old prude (which I probably am), this book goes too far. It tells things best left unsaid I think.
I went back to see if this book as gruesome today as I thought it was yesterday. Maybe I was a little strong, but I'd definitely warn kids before they read it. Make sure they have a strong stomach and don't scare easily. But it could be a boy's favorite to be sure.
I am undecided if I think it's a good book. It will definitely be something that many kids will like, but dare I sound like a old prude (which I probably am), this book goes too far. It tells things best left unsaid I think.
I went back to see if this book as gruesome today as I thought it was yesterday. Maybe I was a little strong, but I'd definitely warn kids before they read it. Make sure they have a strong stomach and don't scare easily. But it could be a boy's favorite to be sure.
October 12, 2010
I have a feeling this one is going to be very popular ... just be aware of your patrons. It does talk about slightly gross things like decapitation and the science terminology is really for at least fourth grade and above. At least.
January 15, 2012
This book is all about things that are spooky and the science behind it. While some of the freaky facts were totally gross, the rest of the book had a certain text book quality about it.
Good for kids 2nd grade and up.
Good for kids 2nd grade and up.
January 25, 2013
i am trying to read more fun non-fiction books. this one happened to be lying around to be shelved so i picked it up and read it. it has some interesting information in it, yet it's claim of "the science behind scary stuff" is rather minimal. entertaining for a quick read.
April 1, 2014
A quick read full of interesting facts about various ghouls and ghosts. It's not all supernatural, though - my favorite section was about the guillotine, and how freshly decapitated heads can blink and react for up to twenty seconds. Though it's for children, the book is pretty creepy and detailed.
Want to Read
October 27, 2009SLJ 4-7
Read
March 18, 2013Explore the science behind monsters, ghosts, and other scary things.
November 3, 2016
This is a great book. It talks about a headless chicken named mike . Why is fair real ?
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews