Reviews for Are You Afraid Yet?: The Science Behind Scary Stuff

The average rating for Are You Afraid Yet?: The Science Behind Scary Stuff based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2009-02-16 00:00:00 Berk Anla If you work anywhere near a library (or have children of your own), I don't have to emphasize the fact that there are tons of kids who flock to the frightening. If it has werewolves, zombies, or any other of the classic horror cast of characters, it's gonna get circulated like mad. Are You Afraid Yet? The Science Behind Scary Stuff goes well beyond simply exploiting the spooky, describing (as the subtitle suggests) the scientific processes behind fear. An entertaining little book that has appeal to spare. A slightly sinister version of the author narrates Are You Afraid Yet?, gleefully jumping from one macabre topic to the next. And there is plenty of material. Name a classic horror tale, from Frankenstein to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and this book touches on it - sometimes to describe the real-life inspiration for these tales, sometimes in an attempt to explain the biology behind the horror. Along the way readers will discover why maggots develop on rotting flesh, the scientific explanation for why monsters are ugly, why old houses sometimes seem to be haunted, and scores of other spooky miscellanea. Black and white illustration plays a prominent role, with titles, illustrations, and even comic book style interludes mixed in with the text, upping the reluctant-reader appeal. The tone is always one of instruction. Gruesome details are provided by our narrator, but always with an eye for the science behind them. There is a section on beheading, for instance, that will leave you feeling like a minor expert on the subject. In addition, Mr. O'Meara's informal style of writing will likely appeal to many young readers who are looking for an alternative to textbook dreariness. From front to back, a pleasure to read. Content, illustrations, and style combine to make Are You Afraid Yet? a highly recommended nonfiction selection.

Review # 2 was written on 2013-05-12 00:00:00 Adam Nusret Kristen Sava O'Meara, S. J. (2009). Are you afraid yet?: The science behind scary stuff (J. Kaposy, Illustrator). Toronto: Kids Can Press. Genre: Informational Awards: YALSA’s Quick Picks for Young Adults Format: Print -hardback Selection Process: YALSA Teen Book Finder, Bowker Books in Print Review: A little book that can pack a punch. Filled with freaky facts behind all things scary, O'Meara takes readers on an information joy ride for those who love to be scared. With information behind why humans get scared and the brain science behind the release of chemicals and what we do with them, readers will be better able to handle the next chapters of the book which are all about things that scare us. Not very true to its title, the book goes into the science behind things that are gross or unexplained rather than scary, including the headless horseman, the guillotine, Frankenstein and vampires. The scary behind such things as items hidden beneath water can be truly frightening; however, the author delves into topics too often talked about and the science behind scary stuff is scary in its lack of frightening details and phobias. Its small size, clever illustrations and fast facts will still entice reluctant readers, but it is its lack of an index, table of contents and extended resources that makes this book truly scary. Recommended with reservations.