The Other Side: A Teen's Guide to Ghost Hunting and the Paranormal
Grade 7 Up—In this succinct introduction, the authors do not spare their readers hard truths: ghost hunting can be expensive; will often be boring; and is ultimately a hobby, not a career, for most paranormal investigators. They emphasize safety and responsibility, encouraging would-be ghost hunters to acquire appropriate permission for their investigation, find an adult to accompany them at all times, and always stay with a partner or group of team members. In spite of this serious approach to the topic, the book includes elements of humor. Chapter titles are often witty, and the authors take a light, conversational tone even when discussing technical aspects of ghost hunting. Though this tone makes for an easy read, it can sometimes seem as though they are talking down to their readers. Many of the black-and-white photographs are generally informative, but some seem to be there just to fill space. The authors recognize that all ghost hunters may not share a similar belief system, and they attempt to be inclusive in their references to religion, including prayers for protection from Christian and Wiccan traditions. Purchase this title where there is interest in paranormal exploration; while there are several ghost-hunting manuals on the market, few are geared specifically to teens.—Misti Tidman, Boyd County Public Library, Ashland, KYCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.