Technology Review: The Moonlit Road

THE MOONLIT ROAD is a website sharing ghost stories, folktales, myths and legends and tales of the American South.

Designed for older children and adults, this engaging resource contains hundreds of strange, dark stories from the American South. This free site includes original stories, adaptations, and old folktales passed down through oral tradition.

The resources are organized into categories such as Civil War era, creature stories, and kids stories. Users can read or listen to the story. Many of the stories have an accompanying image that connects with the tale.

The schoolhouse section contains lessons created by and for teachers using stories from the website.

Librarians will find this website a great way to bring traditional storytelling alive for students. Share the website with English teachers and students who enjoy traditional tales and spooky stories. Involve students in writing and sharing their own stories.

To visit the website, go to http://themoonlitroad.com/.

Book Review: The Door by the Staircase

THE DOOR BY THE STAIRCASE by Katherine Marsh is a fantasy adventure based on the Russian Baba Yaga folktales.

Designed for middle grades, this dark fantasy follows the story of orphan Mary Hayes who is adopted by the mysterious Madame Z. Mary’s new home seems ideal until she begins to realize that her savior may have a dark side.

Librarians will find this fantasy to be popular with children who enjoy folk tales. Teachers wishing to explore traditional folklore at the middle grades may consider this title as part of a literature circle focusing on folklore adaptations.

To learn more about the author, go to http://katherinemarsh.com/.

Published by Disney-Hyperion on January 5, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: The Jumbies

THE JUMBIES by Tracey Baptiste is a beautifully written retelling of a classic Haitian folktale.

Corinne grows up hearing tales of jumbos who live in the forest near her home. While some of her islander friends think these creatures are imaginary, others believe they are real and lurk in the woods waiting to steal children. When a mysterious woman arrives in the village, Corinne wonders if she is more dangerous than she appears.

The lyrical narrative and elements of mystery will attract middle-grade readers. Boys and girls alike will be drawn to the smart, strong heroine and her friends.

The author’s note provides insights into the history of this Caribbean jumbie tale.

With library shelves overflowing with retellings of Grimm and other European tales, librarians will welcome this inventive Haitian folktale. The short novel will appeal to middle-grades students who enjoy both folktales and monster stories. Pair it with other global folktales for an engaging literature circle. Or, include it in a display of monster myths from Sasquatch to Bigfoot.

To learn more about the author, go to https://traceybaptiste.wordpress.com/.

Published by Algonquin Young Readers on April 28, 2015.