Reference Reviews

Doug’s Student Reference Room

Ghost Ships, by Kevin Hile. 48 pp. Farmington Hills, MI: KidHaven Press, 2009. ISBN-13: 978-0-7377-4086-8; ISBN-10: 0-7377-4086-8. $26.20.

The 2006 movie Pirates of the Caribbean captured the fascination that film goers have for mysterious ghost ships and the lore that surrounds them. While the original story of the Flying Dutchman, whose captain was portrayed in the movie as the squid-faced Davy Jones, was somewhat mangled to suit Hollywood, readers intrigued with phantom ships will learn more about the legend of Davy Jones in this volume from the Mysterious Encounter series. The first chapter expounds on the tale of the Flying Dutchman while also exploring some of the superstitions that sailors bring to their ships (Want good luck while on the vessel? Throw a shoe at the ship before boarding!). Subsequent chapters colorfully recount assorted murderous crimes, doomed ships and infamous phantom ships; the final chapter examines the fates of actual vessels found mysteriously abandoned, “Ghost ships of a very real sort.” Young readers will find the eyewitness accounts intriguing, while the attractive sidebars may prompt further exploration. Full-color photographs and illustrations add interest. Highly recommended for school and public libraries.
—Doug Achterman