About this book

Burn it all down.

Gianna and Carter John are best friends, but they couldn’t be more different. Gianna is small for her age, gets straight A’s, and is the teacher’s favorite. Meanwhile, Carter John gets in trouble no matter what he does, just because he’s tall and his voice is loud.

Then one day while working on a class project in the town library, Carter John gets in trouble yet again and reaches his breaking point. As his anger builds, a stack of books flies off the shelf, hitting the librarian.

Now everywhere he goes, strange things are happening. The smell of smoke hangs in the air. Sparks fly when Carter John gets in trouble. And he hears the voice of a young girl singing a song . . . a song about burning . . .

When fires start breaking out around town, Carter John and Gianna are determined to figure out who’s responsible. They are certain that these are no normal fires . . . Something terrible once happened where the town library now stands, and someone’s trying to send them a message about it.

But who is she—and why is she determined to get revenge?

From the author of The Forgotten Girl and The Girl in the Lake, this is both a bonechilling ghost story, and a book about the history of segregated libraries.

Reviews

Praise for The Girl in the Lake:

"Brown expertly reminds readers that the truth is scarier than fiction especially when it comes to historical truths and lived realities whose impacts echo through the generations. A gripping scary story weaving in the history of segregation." -- Kirkus Reviews

"The slow burn reveal of Ellie's true intentions make for a fun, quick, and satisfyingly eerie read." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"This ghostly tale will help young listeners understand that our real history can be scarier than fiction, and fans of Mary Downing Hahn will love it." -- Booklist

Awards and Praise for The Forgotten Girl:

An NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Literary Work for Youth/Teens

2020 ALSC Notable Children's Book

"This ghost story gave me chill after chill. It will haunt you." --

R.L. Stine, author of Goosebumps

"Engaging, entrancing, and altogether magic! A classic ghost tale that examines racism and segregation in a meaningful story that at its core is about love, friendship, and forgiveness. A beautiful debut."

J. C. Cervantes, New York Times bestselling author of The Storm Runner

"A harrowing yet empowering tale reminding us that the past is connected to the present, that every place and every person has a story, and that those stories deserve to be told."

Renée Watson, New York Times bestselling author of Piecing Me Together

"Scary and spooky and sad and important. I loved every moment of it!" -

Ellen Oh, author of Spirit Hunters and founder of We Need Diverse Books

"Frightening and mysterious. A new, creepy favorite."

Dan Poblocki, author of Shadow House and The Ghost of Graylock

"Strong middle-grade characters who will undoubtedly be enjoyed by children and adults alike. The pacing of the plot will surely send a chill through the readers' spines as they follow Iris and her journey with the paranormal. [An] eerie read."

Booklist

"Both historically and culturally relevant, Brown's thoughtful ghost story explores the legacy of racism through segregation."

"The historical information about school desegregation, segregated cemeteries, and the Great Migration are welcome, unique additions. A ghostly tale with a historical twist." -