Description

Book Synopsis

Ghost stories have played a prominent role in childhood. Circulated around playgrounds and whispered in slumber parties, their history in American literature is little known and seldom discussed by scholars. This book explores the fascinating origins and development of these tales, focusing on the social and historical factors that shaped them and gave birth to the genre.

Ghost stories have existed for centuries but have been published specifically for children for only about 200 years. Early on, supernatural ghost stories were rare--authors and publishers, fearing they might adversely affect young minds, presented stories in which the ghost was always revealed as a fraud. These tales dominated children''s publishing in the 19th century but the 20th century saw a change in perspective and the supernatural ghost story flourished.

The Childrens Ghost Story in America

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    A Paperback by Sean Ferrier-Watson

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      Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc
      Publication Date: 1/30/2017 12:03:00 AM
      ISBN13: 9781476664941, 978-1476664941
      ISBN10: 1476664943

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Ghost stories have played a prominent role in childhood. Circulated around playgrounds and whispered in slumber parties, their history in American literature is little known and seldom discussed by scholars. This book explores the fascinating origins and development of these tales, focusing on the social and historical factors that shaped them and gave birth to the genre.

      Ghost stories have existed for centuries but have been published specifically for children for only about 200 years. Early on, supernatural ghost stories were rare--authors and publishers, fearing they might adversely affect young minds, presented stories in which the ghost was always revealed as a fraud. These tales dominated children''s publishing in the 19th century but the 20th century saw a change in perspective and the supernatural ghost story flourished.

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