Peterson, Megan Cooley. Haunted Objects From Around the World. Capstone Publishers  2017  32p   $27.99  ISBN 978-1-5157-3859-6      elem  Nonfiction  VG         

Upper-elementary students who are interested in ghost stories and learning about hauntings will appreciate this new title in the “It’s Haunted” series.  Written in an easy-to-comprehend format, students are introduced to several haunted objects from around the world.  Students who read the stories behind the haunted objects can determine for themselves whether they believe something is haunted or not.  Stories include Robert the Doll, a vintage Nintendo Entertainment System, a Raggedy Ann doll named Annabelle, King Tut’s tomb contents, a painting of the Anguished Man, Anna Baker’s wedding gown, a mirror at the Myrtles Plantation, a haunted Dybbuk (or Dibbuk) Box cabinet, and Thomas Busby’s stoop chair.  Each story provides insight and photographs for students to determine whether they think it’s fact or fiction.

The author includes colorful photographs, interesting facts, intermixed vocabulary terms, a glossary of terms, a list of recommended books, a special code to use on FactHound, and an index.

For schools who participate in Accelerated Reader, an existing test is available for students to take (AR Quiz # 186793).     

Haunted Objects is part of the new It’s Haunted series. As of this review, four titles have been published in the series.  Each title explores some of the most haunted places and things around the world.

Summary: “Explores haunted objects, including cursed boxes and demon-possessed dolls, that can be found around the world.”     

Ghosts, Poltergeists, Parapsychology                        --Charleen Forba-MacCain

Peterson, Judy Monroe. How To Beat Cyberbullying.

Peterson, Judy Monroe. How To Beat Cyberbullying.        Rosen Publishing Group  48p   $21.95       978-1-4488-6810-0       2013      ms           VG-BN  series: Beating Bullying     Nonfiction

With cyberbullying at all ages becoming such a prevalent problem, this book examines the many aspects of cyberbullying and its partner in crime, bullying.             

The chapter titles are “Bullying Around the Clock”, “The Many Faces of Cyberbullies”, “Standing Up to Cyberbullying”, and “Cyberbullying Solutions”. While redundant at times, most of the information found in this book cannot be emphasized enough.  Sidebars highlight some of the specifics of cyberbullying such as “Using Cell Phones to Bully” (pages 10-11) and “Bystanders to Cyberbullying” (page 15).  While much of this book discusses how bullying happens, the balance of the book addresses why it occurs (family background, peer support, etc.) and techniques to avoid being cyberbullied.  Support for cyberbullying prevention and organizations are mentioned in the text, as well as the importance of taking individual responsibility to avoid being in cyber environments where bullying can occur.  “Ten Great Questions to Ask a Guidance Counselor” (page 28) can help students determine the parameters of cyberbullying –- for victim and bully alike.  Illustrations make the book brighter, but the text carries the reader through on its own.  The book concludes with a glossary, a section entitled “For More Information” (organizational websites, hotlines and such), a list of resources for further reading, a bibliography, and an index.

Cyberbullying                                                                                                                                             --Lynn Fisher