This book provides different tellings of the crying woman from North and South America. The myths are best described as cautionary tales to keep children from getting too close to the water at night. The myths include brutal tellings of mothers murdering their own children out of love, jealousy, or insanity. In the format of a social studies book, this short, non-fiction chapter book would be ideal for ages 10-12, though the material is more suited for ages 12-14. It provides a look into several different cultures, including Mexican and Mayan. The myths are most prevalent in Mexican culture, but the stories have traveled north into the United States and south into Central America. Great for kids who like fantasy and legends. ( )