Shuttered Horror Hospitals (Scary Places)
Scary Places Series
on Goodreads (49)
What’s inside...
In 'Shuttered Horror Hospitals (Scary Places),' Dinah Williams delves into the eerie histories of abandoned hospitals and asylums, exploring their closures, stories of past residents, and chilling legends. The book provides an informative look at the history of psychiatric care intertwined with ghostly tales. It highlights how these scary places serve as hotspots for ghost hunters seeking spirits of those who spent their final moments in these hospitals, featuring stories of haunted medical facilities used for horror movies and a temporary Civil War hospital now known as one of the most haunted spots in America.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What emotions did you feel when exploring the different scary hospitals? Why?
Which hospital in the book intrigued you the most, and what would you like to learn more about it?
How do you think the histories of these hospitals affect the communities around them?
If you could ask the author one question about the book, what would it be?
Can you imagine what it would be like to visit one of these hospitals? What would you do there?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your thoughts on the book, perhaps recounting which hospital story was most compelling for you.
Encourage your child to describe the hospital settings using their own words, to develop their descriptive language skills.
Discuss the historical aspect of the hospitals to provide educational value beyond just their 'scariness'.
Validate your child’s feelings of fear or curiosity, reassuring them that their feelings are natural and understandable.
Encourage your child to think creatively by asking them to imagine a new chapter in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of fear
Explanation: In 'Shuttered Horror Hospitals,' children encounter stories of eerie, abandoned hospitals, which encourage them to confront and understand the nature of fear.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to face their own fears and understand that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. This helps in managing everyday anxieties and challenges.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge
Explanation: The book delves into the history and mysteries behind horror hospitals, sparking curiosity about history, science, and the supernatural.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to ask questions and seek out information, fostering a lifelong love of learning and critical thinking.
Example Lesson: Empathy towards others' experiences
Explanation: Through the stories, readers learn about the patients, doctors, and staff who once inhabited these hospitals, promoting an understanding of diverse human experiences.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this empathy by being more considerate and understanding towards people who are different from them or who are going through difficult times.
Example Lesson: Importance of preserving history
Explanation: As kids read about historical hospitals, they learn the value of preserving our past, even the spooky parts, to understand society’s evolution.
Real-World Application: This can inspire respect for historical landmarks in their own community and curiosity about the stories they hold.