Unexplained: An Encyclopedia of Curious Phenomena, Strange Superstitions, and Ancient Mysteries

Reviewed by Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius" for TeensReadToo.com

Ever wondered if there really are castles that are haunted? Or people who have real, honest-to-goodness ESP? How about those strange stories about frogs falling from the sky, or if the city of Atlantis actually existed? If you've ever had questions about seemingly unexplainable events, then you should really pick up this wonderful encyclopedia filled with information on a number of mind-bending (literally!) subjects.

Divided into categories such as Hauntings, The Power of the Mind, Superstitions and Symbols, Natural Phenomena, Strange Creatures, Disappearances, Ancient Mysteries, Lost Lands and Secrets, Cures, Signs, and Skills, Lines and Labyrinths, and From Another Planet, this is the definitive book for unexplainable, and often times unanswerable, questions. Also included are a List of Phenomena By Area and a Glossary, which are very well put together and amazingly helpful.

What's most exciting about UNEXPLAINED is that almost everything you could imagine--UFO sightings, the Egyptian pyramids, El Dorado, auras, and The Bermuda Triangle--are covered in this book. Some entries have scientific facts to back up what really happens (human combustion is usually explained by ball lightning), and, when fact isn't entirely possible, by writings and documents passed down through the ages (such as whether or not Shangri-La was a real place).

For anyone who enjoys pouring over facts, and especially for those interested in the paranormal and unexplained, this is a definitive guide for your collection. A great gift for the curious, and a great read for the interested!