Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman, who brought you Weird New Jersey and then Weird U.S., now as "Creative Directors" bring you weirdness in other states: Florida, Illinois, and Wisconsin. They have picked each author for his or her quirky sensibility and familiarity with the state in question. Indeed, the authors have all previously published eccentric titles on their respective states: Carlson-Strange Florida; Godfrey-The Beast of Bray Road: Tailing Wisconsin's Werewolf; and Taylor-Haunted Illinois. Each volume presents the same table of contents: "Local Legends" (e.g., Devil Baby of Hull House, IL), "Ancient Mysteries" (Lake Okeechobee's Watery Graves, FL), "Fabled People and Places" (Jeane Dixon, WI), "Phenomena" (Malcomb the Fire Starter, IL), "Bizzare Beasts" (Skunk Ape, FL), "Personalized Properties" (Gold Pyramid House, IL), "Roadside Oddities" (Giant Mouse with Cheese, WI), "Roads Less Traveled" (Bloody Bucket Road, FL), "Ghosts" (Old Slave House, IL), "Cemetery Safari" (St. Peter Cemetery, WI), and "Abandoned and Forgotten" (Xanadu, FL). Similar to the "Oddball" series (e.g., Oddball Wisconsin), which also covers these three states plus six more, this series is distinguished by its focus on stories over places and its colorful photos (which take up about a third of each volume); "Weird," however, lacks "Oddball's" more practical directions and contact information ("Weird" offers no maps or specific directions). These titles may hold special appeal to the male middle-school student. Recommended for those public and school libraries located in the state covered by the title and an optional purchase for all others.-John McCormick, Plymouth State Univ., NH Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
