The Headless Haunt and Other African-American Ghost Stories

Haskins, James Haskins and Otero, Ben. The Headless Haunt and Other African-American Ghost Stories. New York : HarperCollins, 1994.

Plot: A collection of African-American ghost stories originating in the deep South. Most of the stories take a first-person narration, adding to the suspense and believability of the tales. Ghosts taunt ruined cabins, over-curious children, and superstitious characters. Other stories feature "haunts," restless, but sometimes protective, ghosts taking the form of animals or mangled corpses. Themes in the book include respect for tradition, proper burial rites, and acknowledgment of the supernatural. A frightful, and occasionally insightful, read.

Genre: Collections, Short Stories, Horror, Folktales, African-American

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Scared Witless, The Man Who Tricked a Ghost, Raw Head, Bloody Bones: African-American Tales of the Supernatural

Personal Thoughts: I tend to spook easily, so I thought the book was pretty scary. Other reviewers find the stories mellow or even comical. Still, the collection offers a view of the supernatural in a unique manner. The book relates the stories, but it also describes their origins. Many of the tales emerge through a mix of African, American, and European superstition and beliefs. As such, the stories offer a view of a unique culture during the post-Civil War period.