Robert E. Bartholomew has taught sociology in Australia at The Flinders University of South Australia and James Cook University in Queensland. A former radio journalist and contributor to the Associated Press and United Press International, he teaches at Botany College in Auckland, New Zealand. Bob Rickard founded Fortean Times, a monthly periodical for balanced reporting and discussion of anomalies in most fields, including those studying behavior, experience and belief, in late November 1973 and edited it for the next 28 years. He continues to contribute research, articles and reports on unusual topics in his semi-retirement. He lives in London, England.

• Table of ContentsForeword by Glenn DawesIntroduction1. Witch Hunts and Schoolchildren2. Twitching Epidemics and Pregnancy Panics: Historic Tales from Europe and America3. Fear 101—Fates Worse Than Homework: Modern Tales from East and West4. The Demon-Haunted Classroom: Tales from Asia5. The Students Who Laughed for a Week: Accounts from Africa6. The Meowing Schoolgirls of Fiji: Accounts from the Islands7. Strange Tales from Latin America8. Strange Schoolyards and Unusual Field Trips: Cases from Beyond the Classroom9. Global LessonsChapter NotesBibliographyIndex

“this historical metaanalysis provides an invaluable, accessible medical and sociological perspective on what continues to be a very common occurrence: mass hysteria among schoolchildren worldwide...an engaging and informative read...a thoroughly entertaining book”—ForteanTimes.

Robert E. Bartholomew has taught sociology in Australia at The Flinders University of South Australia and James Cook University in Queensland. A former radio journalist and contributor to the Associated Press and United Press International, he teaches at Botany College in Auckland, New Zealand. Bob Rickard founded Fortean Times, a monthly periodical for balanced reporting and discussion of anomalies in most fields, including those studying behavior, experience and belief, in late November 1973 and edited it for the next 28 years. He continues to contribute research, articles and reports on unusual topics in his semi-retirement. He lives in London, England.

• Table of ContentsForeword by Glenn DawesIntroduction1. Witch Hunts and Schoolchildren2. Twitching Epidemics and Pregnancy Panics: Historic Tales from Europe and America3. Fear 101—Fates Worse Than Homework: Modern Tales from East and West4. The Demon-Haunted Classroom: Tales from Asia5. The Students Who Laughed for a Week: Accounts from Africa6. The Meowing Schoolgirls of Fiji: Accounts from the Islands7. Strange Tales from Latin America8. Strange Schoolyards and Unusual Field Trips: Cases from Beyond the Classroom9. Global LessonsChapter NotesBibliographyIndex

“this historical metaanalysis provides an invaluable, accessible medical and sociological perspective on what continues to be a very common occurrence: mass hysteria among schoolchildren worldwide...an engaging and informative read...a thoroughly entertaining book”—ForteanTimes.

Robert E. Bartholomew has taught sociology in Australia at The Flinders University of South Australia and James Cook University in Queensland. A former radio journalist and contributor to the Associated Press and United Press International, he teaches at Botany College in Auckland, New Zealand. Bob Rickard founded Fortean Times, a monthly periodical for balanced reporting and discussion of anomalies in most fields, including those studying behavior, experience and belief, in late November 1973 and edited it for the next 28 years. He continues to contribute research, articles and reports on unusual topics in his semi-retirement. He lives in London, England.

• Table of ContentsForeword by Glenn DawesIntroduction1. Witch Hunts and Schoolchildren2. Twitching Epidemics and Pregnancy Panics: Historic Tales from Europe and America3. Fear 101—Fates Worse Than Homework: Modern Tales from East and West4. The Demon-Haunted Classroom: Tales from Asia5. The Students Who Laughed for a Week: Accounts from Africa6. The Meowing Schoolgirls of Fiji: Accounts from the Islands7. Strange Tales from Latin America8. Strange Schoolyards and Unusual Field Trips: Cases from Beyond the Classroom9. Global LessonsChapter NotesBibliographyIndex

“this historical metaanalysis provides an invaluable, accessible medical and sociological perspective on what continues to be a very common occurrence: mass hysteria among schoolchildren worldwide...an engaging and informative read...a thoroughly entertaining book”—ForteanTimes.