Top 10 Urban Legends

April 1, 2012

Gr 2-5-Comprised of standard mysteries and legends, such as those about the Bermuda Triangle, Roswell, werewolves, and vampires, this series treads familiar ground. The uncluttered format makes it appropriate for reluctant or weak readers. Each story or legend is recapped in a few clear sentences opposite illustrations or photographs with unfamiliar terms occasionally defined at the bottom of the page. Swirling backgrounds numbers in the margins help readers count down and add zany fun. Although these collections are light on information, they may prompt readers to seek out more in-depth materials. Urban Legends, in particular-with its bizarre stories about spiders nesting in a beehive hairdo and alligators in the New York City sewer-has a surreal tone that makes it the perfect stepping stone to Alvin Schwartz's "Scary Stories" books.

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