STRANGE MYSTERIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD by Seymour Simon

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Simon, Seymour. 1997. STRANGE MYSTERIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD. New York, NY: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 0688146368

2.PLOT SUMMARY
Are there logical explanations for some of the world’s most puzzling mysteries? Are people really able to walk on coals, see UFO’s or spot ghost ships? These and other mysterious questions are discussed by Seymour Simon in his book, Strange Mysteries from Around the World.

There are nine mysteries that Simon covers in depth, including when it rained frogs and fish, a crystal skull, and strange booms and bangs heard around the world. He discusses the origins, theories, and research put into solving each case. All nine mysteries remain unsolved by the printing of this book, leaving readers to make their best guess as to what to believe.

3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book is divided into nine chapters, each covering a mystery from around the world. Each chapter contains lots of background information, research and findings, but no solution. One of the most compelling stories is when it rained frogs and fish. Many occurrences of this happened around the world with no explanation found to date. Some think that tornados are responsible. Simon refutes that theory with the fact that fish are of the same size and no other debris was captured. In the end, each of these mysteries remain unsolved, leaving the reader intrigued to conduct their own research on the matter.

The book itself is mostly text, but actual photographs or artwork are scattered throughout each mystery as a testament to its legitimacy. Reading the text and studying the images encourage the reader to become involved with solving the mystery at hand. It is an exciting book and shows that science still does not have all the answers.

4.REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
BOOKLIST REVIEW: “It's just right for kids who like true-life mysteries.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW: “Simon's enticingly simple and clear descriptions make the subjects accessible with no unsubstantiated speculations”

5.CONNECTIONS
*Have students write about something they have always wondered about. They can research their topic and collect them for a class book.
*Other books about strange occurences
Smith, Miranda. WONDERS OF THE WORLD. ISBN 0753459795
Eliot, Simon. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE WORLD. ISBN 0312359659
New Scientist. WHY DON’T PENGUINS’ FEET FREEZE?: AND 114 OTHER QUESTIONS. ISBN 1416541462