Ghosts, Vampires, and Werewolves: Eerie Tales from Translvania

Spariosu, Mihai. Ghosts, Vampires, and Werewolves: Eerie Tales from Transylvania. New York : Orchard Books, 1994.

Plot: A collection of strange and scary tales from one of the haunting (and misunderstood) places on earth. Many of the stories represent a blend of new beliefs and old superstitions. Like many tales, the text focuses on the interactions between the supernatural and mortal realms. In the stories, honest men sometimes prosper. More often, though, greed for gold and contempt for tradition condemn all parties involved. Each story enjoys notes at the back of the text offering further details such as the story's location, terms, and traditions.

Genre: Horror, Folktales

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Titles: The Man Who Tricked a Ghost, The Headless Haunt and other African-American Ghost Stories

Personal Thoughts: The text offers solid retellings of stories from a little-known portion of the world. According to the author's notes, stories from Transylvania typically end unhappily, which may trouble sensitive readers. Also, some users may feel disappointed in the book's inclusion of only one werewolf and one vampire story. Fans of ghost stories will love the text, though. While the stories do not focus on gore, they do mention supernatural vengeance, deals, and promises persisting through the afterlife. A highly recommended collection for readers of creepy stories.

Side Note: Are you okay, Jerome?

The Footsteps of the Werewolf

Pipe, Jim. The Footsteps of the Werewolf. Brookfield, Conn. : Copper Beech Books, 1996.

Plot: The book splits between the fictional story of Bernard and the history of werewolf folklore. Bernard's story follows the young silversmith on his way to his uncles. A chance encounter leave him with more than anticipated, causing him to inadvertently become the monster he fears most. Opposite of each page of his story are facts on various werewolf topics. Such topics include werewolf origins, superstitions, scientific explanations, and modern variations.

Genre: Non-fiction, Folklore, Monsters, Science

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Encyclopedia Horrifica, The Weeping Werewolf: Moongoble and Me

Personal Thoughts: This is best described as a better version of Can Science Solve the Mystery of Vampires and Werewolves. The information-based pages offer an overview of the mythology behind shapeshifters, but also offers real-world examples of historical incidents and scientific explanation. The short story offers a means of attracting the audience's attention while referring to the informative side of werewolf lore. Overall, the book appears to balance information and entertainment effectively.

Fabulous Monsters

Williams, Marcia. Fabulous Monsters. Cambridge, MA : Candlewick Press, 1999.

Plot: The book features comic book styled stories of five fantastic monsters. Isikukumanderu taunts the plains of Africa after a proud princess refuses to use her manners. The chimera falls only to a hero riding a mythical winged horse. An island suffers under siege after the birth of a flock of basilisk. While a man attempts to protect his younger brother, sibling loyalty cannot stop the fury of the bunyip. After discovering something wrong in a golden hall, Beowulf faces the power of not one monster, but two. Monsters arise for the trials, wits, and glory of heroes in this collection.

Genre: Monsters, Comics, Illustrations

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Creature Carnival, The One Right Thing, Mythical Monsters of Ancient Greece

Personal Thoughts: The book represents one of the many comic book/story book hybrids. It reminds me of the Where's Waldo book series, since the alert reader can notice additional comedic quotes and pictures in addition to the main "quest" of the story. However, the illustrations are not as well presented as they could be. Many of the monsters, despite their various origins and descriptions, are drawn similarly. The heroes often appear more static than the environment around them. Also, a few of the stories, such as the one involving Grendel and the chimera, end abruptly. Still, the book will please those fond of the genre and may provide a gentle introduction to major literary monsters.

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...

Can Science Solve the Mystery of Vampires and Werewolves?

Oxlade, Chris and Wallace, Holly. Can Science Solve the Mystery of Vampires and Werewolves? Oxford : Heinemann Library, 2003.

Plot: Myths of monsters cover the globe. However, two particular monsters, vampires and werewolves, seem especially prominent, particularly in North America and Europe. The novel examines the myths and attempts to use science to explain how such myths arose and continue to persist. Details of the original monsters as well as the modern-day movie creatures enjoy simple but thorough descriptions. Variations of the creatures, such as bear-men and tiger-men, find mention in the text as well. Also, a few theories of the the actual cause of the creatures find there way into the book.

Genre: Science, Monsters

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Can Science Solve the Mystery series, X Science: The Loch Ness Monster

Personal Thoughts: While the pretext of the books is a worthy one, the authors could create a better text. The majority of the book discusses the myths and pseudo-science explanations for the two monsters. Actual scientific theory only enjoys two pages per monster. As such, the focus of the book seems skewed in a non-scientific direction, despite the assertions of the title and description of the text.

A Practical Guide to Vampires

Vorgard, Treval and Trumbauer, Lisa.A Practical Guide to Vampires. Renton, WA : Wizards of the Coast, 2009.


Plot: Written by a former vampire hunter and enthusiast, the book offers an illustrated guide to one of the most infamous creatures of the night. Traditional and nontraditional methods of detection, protection, and fighting are discussed, although the author highly recommends finding a mentor before attempting to stop a vampire. In addition, some aspects of "vampirism," such as physical needs, culture, interests, and minions also find mention in this well-illustrated book. The text also addresses the "new" vampiric aspects, such as the so-called vegetarian vampire, protector vampire, and family vampire.

Genre: Illustrations, Monsters, Realistic

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: A Practical Guide to Dragons, Vampires Discovery Pack

Personal Thoughts: A smart picture book. Rather than simply relying on the elaborate and attractive pictures, the text in the book is clever, believable, and enjoyable to read. Much of the text refers to traditional myths surrounding the undead, but the authors also make note of newer beliefs, such as clans, wealth, and vampire hybrids. It even nods at current fads, most notably the vampires of Forks and Dungeons & Dragons, in a classy tongue-in-cheek manner. 

Side Note: Toothless did not tear the book. It is actually illustrated that way. No, I do not know why Jerome is sitting on a banana.

Mighty, Mighty Monsters: Hide and Shriek!

O'Reilly, Sean Patrick. Mighy, Mighty Monsters: Hide and Shriek!. Mankato, MN : Stone Arch Books, 2011.


Plot: Late at night, the child monsters of Transylvania meet at their club. They decide to spend their night playing hide and seek. However, some very important rules need establishing. No magic, no sniffing, and no changing into a bat!

Genre: Monsters, Graphic Novel

Reading Level: Ages 7-9

Similar Titles: The rest of the Mighty, Mighty Monsters series

Personal Thoughts: A good example of the comedic monster. Instead of being scary, the monsters play the role of the protagonists and wrestle with fitting in, struggling in school, and goofing off with atypical friends.

At the end of the novels, a brief section discusses the "original" source of the monsters. For example, this novel focused on cinematic Dracula, some of the legends and books participating in his creation, and the role of his film in modern cinema.