Here are ten short stories that you read at bedtime at your own risk. Scary ghost stories that come from longstanding tales passed down through generations. Here's how you get to know Newfoundland before there were cars, electricity and toilets in the outposts that relied on fishing. They are folk tales with a scary twist. Some are more spine-tingling than others, some (like the old lady who died in a blueberry patch and hasn't stopped picking since) actually poignant. The main characters in each of the ten stories vary in age and gender, which makes this not just a middle-grade book.

The award-winning author, a Newfoundlander through and through, is a storyteller extraordinaire, who knows just how to weave the tension and unravel the story, present authentic characters and details, and when to say "boo." The reader is gifted with more than just ten tales. After each one is a section that tells the story behind the story. Better yet, there's an overview of the Newfoundland storytelling tradition, a whole chapter offering tips for spooky storytelling and a glossary of terms. Whether you're into ghost yarns or not, this book will captivate you. And make you want to visit that rugged island called Newfoundland.
-P.W.