Greeking Out Tales from the Underworld: Ghostly Myths from Around the World by Kenny Curtis & Jillian Hughes

What worked:

The opening pages present a warning to parents that this book has “heavy themes” and stories that may be “… gruesome (or just plain gross)”. Okay, some young readers may be leery after reading these words, but most will be excited to read a book that might be edgy or bothersome to their parents. In reality, there’s nothing inappropriate or descriptive that might upset readers. The narrator shares the collection of stories with a playful voice, using a blend of informal dialogue with the “facts” from ancient tales. Many of the characters will be familiar to middle-grade readers, but the stories will be fresh. The first few tales come from Greek, Norse, and Egyptian folklore, but later myths and stories come from South America, the Philippines, and West Africa. Vividly colorful, comic-like illustrations fill the book’s pages and add to the appeal for young readers. A glossary is included at the back of the book along with a world map. The map helps young readers locate the various settings around the world.

Each chapter begins with a light-hearted teaser of what’s to come. One chapter opens with, “This tale features a jealous brother, a party game with a casket, the OG mummy, and a scavenger hunt for body parts.” Jealousy, love, revenge, and trickery are major topics and themes throughout the book. The Oracle of Wi-Fi appears throughout the book and provides additional information or explanations of story details and related topics. A frequent subject in the stories involves death, and the book shares how that facet of life is viewed in different cultures. The Aztecs’ Culture and people living in Madagascar, Ghana, and even New Orleans have found ways to honor and celebrate the dead. On another page, the oracle describes the different steps of mummification.

The final verdict:

Most young readers will love this book! Even reluctant readers will feel satisfaction in frequently completing the short stories. The informal language and humor blend well with information from a wide variety of folktales to create the overall positive experience. I highly recommend you give this book a shot.