The Dark Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural

The Dark Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural. Patricia C. McKissack. Illus. by Brian Pinkney. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1992. 122 pages. $15.00 (Hardcover). ISBN 0-679-81863-4. Grades 3-8.

The dark-thirty is “the half hour just before nightfall, [when] you have exactly half an hour to get home before the monsters [come] out.” Patricia C. McKissack shares ten spine prickling tales of the supernatural rooted in African American history that will have readers rushing to get home before nightfall. Runaway slaves disappearing from cliffs, voodoo chants causing illness, ghosts haunting the streets, clocks signaling death, and a mysterious monster are just a few of the haunting treats offered in this book. These tales are not completely fictitious, as their settings or characters are based on actual people and events, which are explained in the brief introductions preceding each story.  The writing style, dialects, and themes vary throughout the tales, drawing readers in to a new experience each time, as if a group of storytellers were presenting. Although the tales are chilling, they offer more food for thought than for nightmares and will be enjoyed by the target audience. McKissack expertly draws on her own personal experience, African American history, and generations of stories to create an educational and fun experience while promoting the oral storytelling tradition of her culture. Pinkney's black and white illustrations help make the tales come alive for readers, adding to the stories' chilling effect. A great tool for grabbing readers' attention.  Highly Recommended