About This Book
Reach for this book when you have a middle-grade reader who is fascinated by the macabre, historical mysteries, or the concept of justice. It serves as a perfect bridge for children who are outgrowing fictional ghost stories and crave 'real life' accounts of the supernatural. The book explores the true 1897 case of Elva Zona Heaster, whose mother claimed Zona's ghost revealed the truth about her untimely death, leading to a landmark murder trial. While the subject matter involves a crime and a haunting, the narrative focuses heavily on the bond between a mother and daughter and the pursuit of fairness. It is written at an accessible level (32 pages), making it an ideal choice for reluctant readers or those who need a high-interest topic without an overwhelming word count. It provides a historical window into the American legal system and Appalachian folklore while handling the theme of grief with a respectful, investigative tone.
