The Girl in the Lake - by India Hill Brown (Paperback)

About the Book

"Celeste knows she should be excited to spend two weeks at her grandparents' lake house with her brother, Owen, and their cousins Capri and Daisy, but she's not. After failing her swimming lessons, she is done with the water--and she knows the trip is just a way to get her in the lake. Her grandparents are strong believers in their family knowing how to swim, especially having grown up during a time of segregation at public pools. They want Celeste to have the opportunities they never did. Celeste insists on spending her visit on dry land. But soon strange things start happening when she's alone: the sound of footsteps overhead late at night. A flickering light in the attic window. And then Celeste's cousins start accusing her of playing cruel pranks on them when she's been nowhere near them! Things at the old house keep getting scarier until, one evening, Celeste looks in the steamy mirror after a shower and sees her face, but twisted, different. Who is the girl in the mirror? And what does she want?" --

Book Synopsis

For fans of Small Spaces, Doll Bones, and Mary Downing Hahn, a truly chilling (and historically inspired) ghost story from the award-winning author of The Forgotten Girl.

Celeste knows she should be excited to spend two weeks at her grandparents' lake house with her brother, Owen, and their cousins Capri and Daisy, but she's not.

Bugs, bad cell reception, and the dark waters of the lake... no thanks. On top of that, she just failed her swim test and hates being in the water-it's terrifying. But her grandparents are strong believers in their family knowing how to swim, especially having grown up during a time of segregation at public pools.

And soon strange things start happening-the sound of footsteps overhead late at night. A flickering light in the attic window. And Celete's cousins start accusing her of pranking them when she's been no where near them!

Things at the old house only get spookier until one evening when Celeste looks in the steamy mirror after a shower and sees her face, but twisted, different...

Who is the girl in the mirror? And what does she want?

Past and present mingle in this spine-tingling ghost story by award-winning author India Hill Brown.

Review Quotes

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." -- Publishers Weekly

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

About the Author

India Hill Brown graduated with a bachelor of arts in mass communication from Claflin University. She was born and raised in South Carolina and currently lives there with her husband and son. Her debut novel, The Forgotten Girl, was an NAACP Image Award nominee and an ALSC Notable Children's Book. She is also the author of The Girl in the Lake. She has worked for HBO, New York Magazine, and the University of South Carolina, and has written for publications such as Teen Vogue, Apartment Therapy, and Sesi Magazine. When she's not working on her novels, she can be found playing around with her toddler, reading a book, or writing in her (many) notebooks. Learn more at IndiaHillBrown.com, and follow her on YouTube (youtube.com/booksandbighair) and on Instagram (@booksandbighair).