More Bones: Scary Stories from Around the World

Olsen, Arielle North Olson; Schwartz Howard Schwartz; and Gist E. M. More Bones: Scary Stories from Around the World. New York : Viking, 2008.

Plot: A collection of frightening stories from different cultures. Some stories echo traditional themes, such as being careful what to wish for, obeying parents, being kind to others, and avoiding strangers. Others seem a bit more foreign, such as the story of the grey, hairy arm and the tale of the iron scorpion. Even traditional motifs, such as headless horsemen, restless ghosts, and grim challenges take elaborate variations. Perhaps the only consistent theme in every story is the twist ending.

Genre: Horror, Folktales, Fairy Tales, Monsters

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Scary Stories: Tales to Chill Your Bones, More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Personal Thoughts: I have never really been a fan of horror stories (I spook easily). Still, the collection kept my attention without creeping me out too much. The twists kept me guessing, because, like the best horror, the protagonist was not guaranteed to survive the ending. Yet, the majority of the stories end on poetic justice with monsters defeated and unfair bargains broken. Still, every once in a story, someone does not make off quite as well as would be expected...