“The Forgotten Girl” is a spooky  and original ghost tale for Middle Graders.

On a cold winter night, Iris and her best friend, Daniel,  sneak out to play in fresh snow in a clearing in the woods where they discover the  old gravestone of a girl,  Avery Moore,  beneath them.  Soon strange things begin to happen to Iris: she has nightmares,  thinks she sees the  shadow of the girl lurking in the woods and feels called back to the clearing.  Determined to find out what is going on, Iris and Daniel  do a school project which involves researching the area. They discover that  they were actually playing in an old black cemetery, dating to times when blacks and whites were segregated in life as well as in death . Their goal is to restore the cemetery and pay proper respects to the girl  who is buried there;   however,  Avery’s awakened ghost is not satisfied with their efforts.  She is searching for  something   more   –  regardless of the cost!

This story is unique in that it blends, mystery, history, and an original ghost tale. It examines segregation and racism in an engaging story ultimately about friendship and love and forgiveness.

I think that perhaps girls might enjoy this book more than boys; however, boys, too,  might  like the spooky mystery that it entails.

Reviewed by Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School, Portland, ME