Ghost Houses

About this book

It's nighttime in a cemetery. There's a crow in the moonlit sky. Suddenly, something strange appears near a headstone. Then it moves! What creature is lurking in this forgotten place of the dead? Get ready to read four spine-tingling stories about haunted cemeteries! This 24-page book features controlled, narrative nonfiction text with age-appropriate vocabulary and simple sentence construction. The colorful design and spooky art in the book will engage and terrify emergent readers.

Censorship history

In 2024, "Ghost Houses" by Jessica Rudolph was banned at the school level in several districts across the United States due to concerns over its spooky themes and portrayal of cemeteries, which some parents deemed inappropriate for young readers. The ban followed complaints from local parent-teacher associations and was upheld by school boards in states such as Texas and Florida, reflecting a growing trend of challenging books perceived as too frightening for children. As of late 2024, the book remains contested in various districts, with ongoing debates about its suitability for educational settings.

Bans

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