THE GHOST OF POPLAR POINT

Allie’s fourth adventure with the supernatural once again delves into a haunting and topical issue. While auditioning for a part in the summer festival play about the Seneca Indians, 12-year-old Allie gets the now-familiar tingling feeling that indicates a ghost’s presence. Suddenly, to her mortification, Allie bursts out in the Seneca language that neither she nor anyone else understands. As she unravels the mystery behind her visions and dreams of a tousled, grieving girl surrounded by smoke, Allie discovers a heartbreaking piece of her town’s history. Allie is driven to help this specter find peace and realizes she must use the play as a vehicle to educate the town and stop a greedy land developer from disturbing the burial ground of the Seneca’s massacre. The process is not without menacing encounters, and the ever-meddling Karen almost ruins their plan. Allie, the ghost magnet, is drawn as a brave, compassionate and smart heroine assisted by her sidekick and best friend Dub. The story, based on an actual historical event, has an important message with the added thrill of being a suspenseful page turner. (pronunciation guide, author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)