
Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling with the isolation of a family separation or feeling like an outsider in their own home. It is a hauntingly beautiful bridge for a child who feels 'stuck' between two worlds, whether those worlds are different households or different cultural identities. The story follows Cass, who is reeling from her parents' divorce and a move to a new town, where she begins to see the spirit of Beatrice, a Métis girl from the mid-nineteenth century. Through these dual narratives, the book explores how the echoes of the past can offer clarity for the present. While the ghost story elements provide a compelling mystery, the heart of the book is its exploration of grief and belonging. It is a sophisticated read for ages 12 and up, handling themes of historical racism and family dysfunction with a realistic yet hopeful lens. Parents will appreciate how it validates a teenager's anger and loneliness while encouraging them to look beyond their own immediate pain to find connection in unexpected places.
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Sign in to write a reviewContains depictions of historical prejudice and systemic injustice against Métis people.
Atmospheric ghost sightings and eerie historical echoes.
The book deals with divorce and historical racism directly and realistically. The depictions of the 'Sixties Scoop' era precursors and the treatment of Indigenous people are presented with historical gravity. The approach is secular but deeply respectful of heritage. The resolution is realistic: Cass's parents do not reunite, but Cass finds a path toward personal agency and peace.
A 13 to 15 year old who feels invisible or 'ghostly' in their own life, perhaps due to a messy divorce or a move to a rural area where they feel like a cultural or social misfit.
Parents should be aware of the depictions of historical prejudice against Métis people. The emotional weight of the mother's struggle with depression may also warrant a pre-read or discussion. A parent might notice their child withdrawing into historical fiction or 'darker' interests, or expressing intense resentment about a recent move or family change.
Younger readers (12) will focus on the 'ghost' mystery and the spooky atmosphere. Older readers (15+) will better grasp the parallels between historical systemic displacement and Cass's personal feelings of being uprooted.
Unlike many ghost stories, the 'haunting' here is a vehicle for cultural reclamation and a sophisticated look at how historical trauma informs modern identity.
Cass is a modern teenager living in a rural Manitoba farmhouse following her parents' painful divorce. She begins experiencing visions of Beatrice, a Métis girl who lived in the same house in 1856. The narrative alternates between Cass's contemporary struggle with her mother's depression and her father's absence, and Beatrice's historical struggle against the prejudices and harsh realities of the frontier. The two stories converge as Cass realizes that understanding Beatrice's tragic history is the key to healing her own family's fractured dynamics.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.