Are They Real? Reviews

The Bermuda Triangle: ISBN: 978-1-6782-0622-2 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0623-9
Bigfoot: ISBN: 978-1-6782-0624-6 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0625-3
ESP: ISBN: 978-1-6782-0626-0 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0627-7
Ghost Sightings: ISBN: 978-1-6782-0628-4 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0629-1
Hauntings: ISBN: 978-1-6782-0630-7 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0631-4
The Loch Ness Monster: ISBN: 978-1-6782-0632-1 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0633-8
UFOs: ISBN: 978-1-6782-0634-5 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0635-2
Unicorns: ISBN: 978-1-6782-0636-9 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0637-6
Witches: ISBN: 978-1-6782-0638-3 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0639-0
Zombies and the Undead: ISBN: 978-1-6782-0640-6 / eBook: 978-1-6782-0641-3
Booklist, January 1, 2024

This new high-low series on popular mythical creatures and the paranormal will easily catch readers’ attention. All entries maintain a respectful, open-minded stance, allowing that some people believe, others don’t, and some maintain cautious curiosity. Each title includes a helpful list of bulleted items that provide context, an introductory imagined encounter to set the scene, and brief fact-based chapters that cover various manifestations, origins and history, scientific evidence, and cultural impact. Accessible explanations acknowledge that certain myths may have sprung from lack of contemporary scientific knowledge and provide alternate explanations that should resonate with readers. Additionally, the books also explain how these subjects have taken a more figurative place in our cultural lexicon. Bermuda Triangle explains how someone who’s lost or completely bewildered might say they’re trapped in this legendary locale. ESP posits that a person who always seems to guess right answers or correctly predict game results may claim this psychic ability. Unicorns connects the idea of these rare, magical creatures to the modern practice of calling a company worth more than a billion dollars a unicorn. Similarly, Zombies and the Undead draws parallels between these mindless beings and the feeling of being extremely exhausted. Additional features include lots of photos, illustrations, side bars, slightly enlarged fonts, notes, bibliographies, and supporting websites. These should prove to be quite popular.
—Kathleen McBroom

This series explores modern-day myths, legends, and paranormal phenomena. Each book opens with a quick look at the topic and then the first chapter introduces the topic with one person’s experience with that phenomena. Additional chapters explain the history, look at the evidence, and discuss the cultural impact of the phenomena. Each book ends with a glossary, source notes, resources for additional research, an index, image credits, and author info. Lower-level middle and high school readers will enjoy the attractive layout with a larger font-size and lots of color pictures and side-bars. At only 64 pages, it’s a quick read but does provide good information. The series is called ‘Are they real?’ and students will definitely gain enough info to answer that question for themselves.
Sherri Ashlock, Nelsen MS