Why do so many American college students tell stories about encounters with ghosts? In Haunted Halls, the first book-length interpretive study of college ghostlore, Elizabeth Tucker takes the reader back to school to get acquainted with a wide range of college spirits. Some of the best-known ghosts that she discusses are Emory University's Dooley, who can disband classes by shooting professors with his water pistol; Mansfield University's Sara, who threw herself down a flight of stairs after being rejected by her boyfriend; and Huntingdon College's Red Lady, who slit her wrists while dressed in a red robe. Gettysburg College students have collided with ghosts of soldiers, while students at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College have reported frightening glimpses of the Faceless Nun. Tucker presents campus ghostlore from the mid-1960s to 2006, with special attention to stories told by twenty-first-century students through e-mail and instant messages. Her approach combines social, psychological, and cultural analysis, with close attention to students' own explanations of the significance of spectral phenomena. As metaphors of disorder, insanity, and school spirit, college ghosts convey multiple meanings. Their colorful stories warn students about the dangers of overindulgence, as well as the pitfalls of potentially horrifying relationships. Besides offering insight into students' initiation into campus life, college ghost stories make important statements about injustices suffered by Native Americans, African Americans, and others.
The third full-color, illustrated, hilarious title in new chapter book series by illustrator Jason Tharp. It's Halloween at Happy Tails School and Peachy and Keen want to uncover what's really making that "Ooooo" noise coming from the locker rooms and write about it for Purrfect9. But when they sneak into school after hours, they discover something they weren't quite ready for. Could Happy Tails School be home to a spooky ghost or is there some other explanation for all of that spooky singing?
From haunted libraries to doomed dorms, journalist Matthew L. Swayne has scoured the country for the creepiest ghost encounters at our bastions of higher education. This guide explores the strangest and most enduring stories, complete with first-hand accounts from ghost hunters and the tales behind the hauntings as theyve been handed down through the generations.
Based on proven theory and real-life experience, this guidebook provides a one-stop resource for educators, librarians, and storytellers looking to introduce storytelling programs for young adults. Storytelling is often associated with storytime and library services to young children, but effective storytelling speaks to all ages—including teens. Engaging Teens with Story: How to Inspire and Educate Youth with Storytelling offers an in-depth look at storytelling for young adults that explains the benefits of storytelling with this audience, what current practices are, and storytelling opportunities to explore with youth. It provides a unique source of expert guidance that youth services librarians, professional storytellers, and middle and high school teachers will appreciate. Readers will learn how to find stories for teens, apply proven techniques for successful telling of tales to teens, use traditional literature as a basis for creative writing, and establish a teen storytelling club or troupe. The guide also covers how teens can create their own stories with digital media; the connections between traditional folk and fairy tales and today's film, television, books, and online media; and how storytelling can be successfully used with at-risk youth.
In this classroom-tested approach to writing, Brock Dethier teaches readers how to analyze and write twenty-one genres that students are likely to encounter in college and beyond. This practical, student-friendly, task-oriented text confidently guides writers through step-by-step processes, reducing the anxiety commonly associated with writing tasks. In the first section, Dethier efficiently presents each genre, providing models, a description of the genres’ purpose, context, and discourse; and suggestions for writing activities or “moves” that writers can use to get words on the page and accomplish their writing tasks. The second section explains these moves, over two hundred of them, in chapters ranging from “Solve Your Process Problems” and “Discover” to “Revise” and “Present.” Applicable to any writing task or genre, these moves help students overcome writing blocks and develop a piece of writing from the first glimmers of an idea to its presentation. This approach to managing the complexity and challenge of writing in college strives to be useful, flexible, eclectic, and brief—a valuable resource for students learning to negotiate unfamiliar writing situations.
This revised edition of the original reference standard for urban legends provides an updated anthology of common myths and stories, and presents expanded coverage of international legends and tales shared and popularized online. From roasted babies to vanishing hitchhikers to housewives in football helmets, this exhaustive and highly readable encyclopedia provides descriptions of hundreds of individual legends and their variations, examines legend themes, and explains scholarly approaches to the genre. Revised and expanded to include updated versions of the entries from the award-winning first edition, this work provides additional entries on a wide range of new topics that include terrorism, recent political events, and Hurricane Katrina. Entries in Encyclopedia of Urban Legends, Updated and Expanded Edition discuss the presence of urban legends in comic books, literature, film, music, and many other areas of popular culture, as well as the existence of "too good to be true" stories in Argentina, China, Italy, Japan, Mexico, and several other countries. Serving as both an anthology of stories as well as a reference work, this encyclopedia will serve as a valuable resource for students and a source book for journalists, professional folklorists, and others who are researching or interested in urban legends.
A compelling collection of iconic ghost stories from all across Canada. Time and place are infused with ghosts and hauntings. From coast to coast to coast, Canada’s provinces and territories teem with the supernatural—phantoms obscured in the mists of time, spectres that delight in wreaking terror, and spirits destined to linger forever at the edge of the veil. Visit the far-flung corners of Canada to discover the folklore and legends behind: the ghost of a Newfoundland outlaw that leads blizzard-blind men to safety A poltergeist infestation that gleefully tortured an entire Nova Scotia family A fleet of phantom ships that haunt the coastline of New Brunswick the haggard spectre of a murderous witch in historic Quebec City Saskatchewan’s ghost-ridden military cadet academy an Alberta cabbie’s encounter with a silent shadow of a man in black the headless railway brakeman of Vancouver a moaning, man-shaped mist that haunts a Yukon cabin From east to west to way up north, bestselling author and renowned storyteller Barbara Smith traverses Canada’s provinces and territories to unearth more than 100 supernatural tales that careen between heartwarming, horrifying, sorrowful, and spine-chilling.
In the small town of Quirksville, nestled at the edge of a gloomy forest, stood a mansion that was infamous for its eerie tales and ghostly lore. Whispers of hauntings and mysterious happenings surrounded it, painting a picture of doom and gloom. One fateful night, seven friends decided to embark on a ludicrous adventure into the heart of the haunted hilarity house. Ram, the brave leader, assembled the group at the town square with an over-the-top speech about conquering fears and proving that laughter was the best medicine, even for haunted mansions. Arun, the skeptical voice of reason, rolled his eyes but joined in, secretly hoping to debunk the supernatural. Seema and Reema, the dynamic daredevil duo, donned matching ghost-hunting gear complete with glow-in-the-dark stickers. Jacque, the lovable goofball, brought a whoopee cushion, insisting that no ghost could resist a good laugh. Jack, the resident joker, carried a bag of rubber chickens and confetti, prepared to turn the haunted house into a whimsical wonderland. Amol, the quiet observer, had a camera ready to 6 HILARIOUS HAUNTED HOUSE capture the absurdity that was sure to unfold. As they approached the haunted hilarity house, the moon cast an eerie glow on its dilapidated facade. The friends exchanged nervous glances, their apprehension momentarily overshadowed by the absurdity of their mission. Ram took a deep breath and theatrically pushed open the creaky gate. The mansion seemed to groan in protest, as if the very walls were skeptical of the impending comedy invasion. The friends stepped into the grand entrance hall, and Ram declared, “Onward, brave companions! Let hilarity reign supreme!” The grand staircase loomed ahead, and Arun couldn’t resist muttering, “I hope the ghosts appreciate a good punchline.” Seema and Reema, undeterred, took the lead, their glow-in-the-dark stickers casting a surreal glow on the dusty floor. Suddenly, the door slammed shut behind them, and the friends jumped in exaggerated fright. Jacque seized the mo- ment, activating his whoopee cushion with impeccable timing, prompting peals of laughter that echoed through the mansion. Even Arun cracked a smile, realizing that maybe this haunted house adventure wouldn’t be as serious as he thought. As they explored the mansion, bizarre occurrences unfolded. Doors opened to reveal rooms filled with inflatable pool toys instead of ominous specters. The walls seemed to ripple with laughter, and Jack couldn’t resist tossing confetti into the air, creating a whimsical atmosphere that defied the spooky setting. In the dining room, a long table was set for an imaginary feast. The friends sat down, pretending to dine on ghostly delicacies while making ghostly chewing sounds. Amol captured the absurdity on camera, the flash illuminating the ghostly banquet in a surreal display. The group reached the attic, where dusty trunks revealed 7 SEVEN FRIENDS... peculiar costumes from bygone eras. Jacque emerged as the mansion’s resident ghost, complete with a bedsheet draped over him. The friends erupted into laughter, with Arun joking, “Finally, a ghost who knows how to accessorize!” In the heart of the mansion, they stumbled upon a room filled with ancient board games. The friends eagerly started a ghostly game of Monopoly, with Jack insisting on using rubber chickens as currency. As they played, the mansion seemed to shake with ghostly chuckles, as if the spirits were enjoying the absurdity as much as the friends were. As the clock struck midnight, the friends found themselves in a grand hall with a chandelier that swayed ominously overhead. Ram, feeling the need for a dramatic moment, declared, “Behold, the heart of the hilarity! Let the laughter echo through these haunted halls!” Just as he finished his proclamation, the chandelier dipped unexpectedly, and the friends dove in different directions, narrowly avoiding a comedic catastrophe. Laughter echoed through the mansion, blending with the ghostly wails in a surreal symphony of absurdity. The group discovered a hidden library filled with dusty books. Seema, always up for a challenge, randomly picked a book and dramatically began reading from it. To everyone’s surprise, the words seemed to transform into nonsensical jokes, and the room filled with uproarious laughter. As they continued their exploration, the mansion’s mis- chievous energy reached its peak. Furniture rearranged itself into peculiar configurations, creating a whimsical obstacle course. Jack, undeterred, decided to navigate the furniture maze while juggling rubber chickens, turning the haunted house into a sideshow of slapstick comedy. 8 HILARIOUS HAUNTED HOUSE In the cellar, the friends stumbled upon an ancient piano. Jacque, never one to resist the call of music, sat down and began playing a haunting melody with a humorous twist. The friends, inspired by the unexpected concert, joined in a ghostly dance, their laughter echoing through the underground chambers. As the night wore on, the friends felt a strange camaraderie with the mansion’s supernatural inhabitants. It was as if the ghosts had decided to trade their haunting routine for a night of absurd amusement. The friends, in turn, embraced the ghostly guffaws, turning the haunted house into a haven of laughter. In the early hours of the morning, the group emerged from the haunted hilarity house, their faces flushed from laughter and their spirits lifted by the unexpected joy of the night. The mansion, now bathed in the soft glow of dawn, seemed to sigh with contentment, as if the laughter of the living had temporarily dispelled its haunted aura. As the friends bid farewell to the haunted hilarity house, they couldn’t help but look back one last time. The mansion, with its crumbling facade, stood as a silent witness to the absurdity of the night. The town of Quirksville would forever remember the seven friends who turned a haunted house into a house of hilarious horrors, proving that sometimes, laughter was the most potent magic against the supernatural. And so, the friends left the haunted hilarity house behind, forever etched in the ghostly annals of Quirksville as the laughter-bringers who turned fear into farce.
