Treasury of Ghost Stories
The Kingfisher Treasury Series
on Goodreads (23)
What’s inside...
A Treasury of Ghost Stories is a spooky collection of creepy goings-on chosen to delight the younger reader. The collection strikes a balance between the scary and the humorous, providing the right combination of giggles and shudders for this age group.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-18
Length
192 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What feelings did you experience while reading the ghost stories? Were some parts more frightening or exciting than others?
Which ghost story was your favorite and why did it stand out to you?
How do the characters in the stories deal with fear and the unknown? Can you relate to their reactions?
If you could ask a character from one of the stories a question, what would you ask and why?
What do you think is the moral of your favorite ghost story from the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Create a cozy, inviting reading environment to make the experience enjoyable, especially if the ghost stories might be a bit scary.
Use varied voice inflections and pauses to enhance the spooky atmosphere of the stories, making the reading session more engaging.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the stories, affirming that it's okay to feel scared and discussing healthy ways to manage fear.
Draw parallels between the dilemmas characters face in the stories and real-life situations to help your child make connections and enhance their understanding.
After reading, consider crafting a simple 'ghost story' together with your child, allowing them to utilize their creativity and newly gained insights from the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of fear
Explanation: Throughout 'Treasury of Ghost Stories', characters often confront eerie phenomena and supernatural elements bravely, showcasing their resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to confront their personal fears, whether it be speaking in front of a class or trying out for a sports team, mirroring the bravery of the characters.
Example Lesson: Importance of curiosity and inquiry
Explanation: The stories encourage characters to investigate mysteries and not merely accept things as they appear, fostering a sense of curiosity.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to ask questions and seek out answers in their academic studies and everyday curiosities, enhancing their critical thinking skills.
Example Lesson: Empathy towards others
Explanation: Characters often interact with ghosts or supernatural entities who have unresolved issues, teaching readers to look beyond their own experiences and understand others’ perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this to their interactions with peers, learning to be considerate and understand feelings and viewpoints different from their own.
Example Lesson: Understanding and accepting the unknown
Explanation: The supernatural elements in the stories teach that not everything can be explained or understood, promoting acceptance of the unknown.
Real-World Application: This helps children develop a comfort with uncertainties in life, such as moving to a new place or starting at a different school.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: Several stories highlight how the actions of characters, good or bad, lead to specific outcomes, reinforcing the concept of consequences.
Real-World Application: This lesson aids children in understanding that their choices impact themselves and others, encouraging responsible decision making.