Raw Head, Bloody Bones

This happens to be one of the best compilations of African American tales out there, next to Zora Neal Hurston. I only wish the author wrote a fatter book! Too bad there aren't more of these in print. It's fascinating for both adults and children. In it you'' find all kinds of spooky and grotesque characters from boo-hags to conjure men. Excellently and poetically written in the lingo of the culture that these tales came from and close to the creative dialect of the tellers. I really wish she'd write another book on spooks!

As a former teacher of upper elementary and middle school students with many years experience, I found this book to be fascinating and would have no trouble recommending it to students in fourth grade and up. It has the scares kids love, plus a wonderful flow of language that is quite captivating. Based on stories told by the Gullah people of South Carolina and the people of Cape Verde Islands, the Bahamas, and Jamaica, this is the kind of book kids won't want to put down. Excellent!