Haunted USA
Spine-tingling stories from all 50 states
Published on 7. August 2025
Book
Hardback
112 pages
978-0-7112-9736-4 (ISBN)
Description
We've got spirits, yes we do! Haunted USA is a terrifying treasure trove of supernatural scares from each of the 50 states, from the vengeful witch of New Hampshire, Goody Cole, to Missouri's unlikely icon, Momo the swamp monster.
In this illustrated compendium drawing on fact, folklore, mythology and urban legend, you'll shine a light on ghosts, ghouls, cryptids, and even a haunted carousel. Some tales will give you chills-like that of Rue, the unfortunate daughter of an Oregon lighthouse-keeper who even today wanders the forlorn tower's guest rooms-while others-like the friendly ghost of Dr. Justina Ford who guides visitors around her old Colorado home-prove that some phantoms still hold on to that friendly American spirit.
Some are downright strange. Have you ever heard of the chocolate-loving ghost of Iowa, or Delaware's specter who can't stand sneezing? Still others are older than the USA itself, from Hawaii's Night Marchers to the ancient Sleeping Buffalo Rock of Montana (which may not be quite so asleep after all).
When you've read all you can handle, turn to the back of the book for a glossary of ghoulish terms and even expert advice on going ghost-hunting yourself!
Whether you're after a campfire fright, a slice of local lore, or a traditional tale to sink your teeth into, Haunted USA is a rich anthology from the land of the really, really brave. With stories that are carefully chosen and sensitively told for 9-12-year-olds, it's perfect for those cozy evenings around Halloween, or for adding a sprinkle of spookiness to a summer road trip.
In this illustrated compendium drawing on fact, folklore, mythology and urban legend, you'll shine a light on ghosts, ghouls, cryptids, and even a haunted carousel. Some tales will give you chills-like that of Rue, the unfortunate daughter of an Oregon lighthouse-keeper who even today wanders the forlorn tower's guest rooms-while others-like the friendly ghost of Dr. Justina Ford who guides visitors around her old Colorado home-prove that some phantoms still hold on to that friendly American spirit.
Some are downright strange. Have you ever heard of the chocolate-loving ghost of Iowa, or Delaware's specter who can't stand sneezing? Still others are older than the USA itself, from Hawaii's Night Marchers to the ancient Sleeping Buffalo Rock of Montana (which may not be quite so asleep after all).
When you've read all you can handle, turn to the back of the book for a glossary of ghoulish terms and even expert advice on going ghost-hunting yourself!
Whether you're after a campfire fright, a slice of local lore, or a traditional tale to sink your teeth into, Haunted USA is a rich anthology from the land of the really, really brave. With stories that are carefully chosen and sensitively told for 9-12-year-olds, it's perfect for those cozy evenings around Halloween, or for adding a sprinkle of spookiness to a summer road trip.
Reviews / Votes
"...an attractive, occasionally chilling package." * The Horn Book Guide * "...an excellent choice for families with ghost sighting hopes who happen to be planning road trips or vacations." * Youth Services Book Reviews * "Even scaredy-cats should be able to appreciate the Halloween-themed book..." -- Chris Hewitt * The Minnesota Star Tribune * "...a great read for kids ages 12 and up, and adults can enjoy it, too." -- Terri Schlichenmeyer * The Daily News * "This collection of coast-to-coast scares will delight, entertain, and (gently) spook young readers." -- Lana Barnes * Shelf Awareness *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Quarto Publishing PLC
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Second Grade to Sixth Grade, Interest Age: From 9 to 12 years
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
color illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 264 mm
Width: 204 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
614 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7112-9736-4 (9780711297364)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Born in New York and now based in sunny California, Heather Alexander is the author of numerous books for children, both fiction and nonfiction, including Only in America, Haunted USA, On the Plane Activity Book and the Life on Earth series. Heather also works as a children's book editor. Visit her at heatheralexanderbooks.com.Sam Kalda is an illustrator based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He has illustrated ten books for children and adults alike, including Of Cats and Men, The Mother of a Movement, and Haunted USA. His work has also appeared on the pages of The New York Times and The New Yorker, among others. He is a gold medal recipient from The Society of Illustrators, New York.
Content
2-3 Contents/US map
4-3 Prepare for a Scare!
6-7 Alabama: Ghosts Just Wanna Have Fun
8-9 Alaska: Otterly Terrifying
10-11 Arizona: The Boneyard
12-13 Arkansas: Lighting the Way
14-15 California: Home is Where the Horror Is
16-17 Colorado: The Doctor Will See You Now
18-19 Connecticut: Beware of the Dog
20-21 Delaware: A Spirit Not to Be Sneezed At
22-23 Florida: Home Sweet Haunted Home
24-25 Georgia: What Lies Beneath
26-27 Hawaii: The Night Marchers
28-29 Idaho: Run Like the Wind
30-31 Illinois: The Spooktacular Zoo
32-33 Indiana: Poltergeist in the Pages
34-35 Iowa: The Ghost Who Loves Chocolate
36-37 Kansas: Glow of the Blue Light Lady
38-39 Kentucky: Spirit of a Spelunker
40-41 Louisiana: The Forever Guests
42-43 Maine: Don't Moose With Me!
44-45 Maryland: The Legend of Blue Dog
46-47 Massachusetts: Pukwudgies Are Watching
48-49 Michigan: Lake Monsters on the Prowl
50-51 Minnesota: Grave Secrets
52-53 Mississippi: The Dead Tell No Tales
54-55 Missouri: Momo Stinks!
56-57 Montana: The Cry of the Homesick Bison
58-59 Nebraska: And the Music Plays On
60-61 Nevada: The Mermaid's Revenge
62-63 New Hampshire: The Witch Who Wasn't
64-65 New Jersey: The Parkway Phantom
66-67 New Mexico: A Party for the Dead
68-69 New York: Sisters Keeping Cool
70-71 North Carolina: Mystery of the Brown Mountain Lights
72-73 North Dakota: The Happy Birthday Ghost
74-75 Ohio: Racer Boy
76-77 Oklahoma: We Have Spirit, Yes We Do!
78-79 Oregon: Ghost on the Coast
80-81 Pennsylvania: Around and Around She Goes
82-83 Rhode Island: The High-Society Spirit
84-85 South Carolina: A Warning from Beyond
86-87 South Dakota: The Phantom Fisherman
88-89 Tennessee: Don't Sit in Mary's Seat!
90-91 Texas: The Forever Fire Fighter
92-93 Utah: The Weeping Statue
94-95 Vermont: The Tap-Dancing Ghost
96-97 Virginia: The Tunnel Vampire
98-99 Washington: A Spectral Shopping Trip
100-101 West Virginia: The Mothman Mystery
102-103 Wisconsin: Homerun of Hauntings
104-105 Wyoming: The Ghost Ship
106-107 Washington D.C.: The Most Fearsome Feline
108-109 A Ghost Hunter's Guide
110-111 Spooky Glossary
112
4-3 Prepare for a Scare!
6-7 Alabama: Ghosts Just Wanna Have Fun
8-9 Alaska: Otterly Terrifying
10-11 Arizona: The Boneyard
12-13 Arkansas: Lighting the Way
14-15 California: Home is Where the Horror Is
16-17 Colorado: The Doctor Will See You Now
18-19 Connecticut: Beware of the Dog
20-21 Delaware: A Spirit Not to Be Sneezed At
22-23 Florida: Home Sweet Haunted Home
24-25 Georgia: What Lies Beneath
26-27 Hawaii: The Night Marchers
28-29 Idaho: Run Like the Wind
30-31 Illinois: The Spooktacular Zoo
32-33 Indiana: Poltergeist in the Pages
34-35 Iowa: The Ghost Who Loves Chocolate
36-37 Kansas: Glow of the Blue Light Lady
38-39 Kentucky: Spirit of a Spelunker
40-41 Louisiana: The Forever Guests
42-43 Maine: Don't Moose With Me!
44-45 Maryland: The Legend of Blue Dog
46-47 Massachusetts: Pukwudgies Are Watching
48-49 Michigan: Lake Monsters on the Prowl
50-51 Minnesota: Grave Secrets
52-53 Mississippi: The Dead Tell No Tales
54-55 Missouri: Momo Stinks!
56-57 Montana: The Cry of the Homesick Bison
58-59 Nebraska: And the Music Plays On
60-61 Nevada: The Mermaid's Revenge
62-63 New Hampshire: The Witch Who Wasn't
64-65 New Jersey: The Parkway Phantom
66-67 New Mexico: A Party for the Dead
68-69 New York: Sisters Keeping Cool
70-71 North Carolina: Mystery of the Brown Mountain Lights
72-73 North Dakota: The Happy Birthday Ghost
74-75 Ohio: Racer Boy
76-77 Oklahoma: We Have Spirit, Yes We Do!
78-79 Oregon: Ghost on the Coast
80-81 Pennsylvania: Around and Around She Goes
82-83 Rhode Island: The High-Society Spirit
84-85 South Carolina: A Warning from Beyond
86-87 South Dakota: The Phantom Fisherman
88-89 Tennessee: Don't Sit in Mary's Seat!
90-91 Texas: The Forever Fire Fighter
92-93 Utah: The Weeping Statue
94-95 Vermont: The Tap-Dancing Ghost
96-97 Virginia: The Tunnel Vampire
98-99 Washington: A Spectral Shopping Trip
100-101 West Virginia: The Mothman Mystery
102-103 Wisconsin: Homerun of Hauntings
104-105 Wyoming: The Ghost Ship
106-107 Washington D.C.: The Most Fearsome Feline
108-109 A Ghost Hunter's Guide
110-111 Spooky Glossary
112