The Girl in the Lake by India Hill Brown

The Hook: 

Celeste took swimming lessons, but unfortunately, she did not pass. She still cannot swim. She blames it on the instructor who got impatient with her. Now she is dreading a summer trip with all her cousins to her grandparents' house by the lake. She knows her cousins and her little brother, who is a great swimmer, will be all over the lake and she is not going to be able to avoid it. Her parents promised Granddad Jim would teach her. Afterall, he used to be a lifeguard. 

While there, Celeste learns that she had a great aunt—grandma's sister—named Ellie who she looks just like. Sadly, Great Aunt Ellie died when she was only 12—the same age Celeste is now. She drowned in the lake after being denied swimming lessons at the all-white swimming pool back in the 1950’s. 

Then, strange things start happening at the house--flickering lights, footsteps in the attic—to more sinister, dangerous events—such as, one of the cousins gets pushed down the stairs. When Celeste sees someone in the bathroom mirror who looks exactly like her but is not, she is really freaked. She tells Grandma that the house is haunted. Grandma swears it cannot be Great Aunt Ellie; She would never hurt them. But Celeste and her cousins are not too sure. They race to learn the truth before someone really gets hurt. Namely, Celeste. Is Great Aunt Ellie trying to lock Celeste away and take her place permanently? You will have to read the book to find out. 

This book is in our library. It’s also in Sora and Axis 360 as an eBook as well as an audio book. It is 5 AR points. 

My Thoughts (Careful! There May Be Spoilers): 

This is a mystery, horror and historical fiction all rolled into one. The author did an excellent job at weaving it together. It is important for our students to know how African Americans were treated in the 1950’s and how racism is still around today. Ellie was denied access to the all-white pool. In comparison, Celeste and her grandfather were accepted at the country club for swim lessons, but there was one mother who questioned if they were members at all due to their race. Celeste was outraged, as she should be. But it really drove home, when Celeste reflected on the treatment Great Aunt Ellie received back in the 1950’s. She was enraged that they were still dealing with racism at this country club. 

At first, the ghost of Great Aunt Ellie appears to be against the cousins. But as it turns out, she is demanding that they face their fears and overcome their struggles. For Celeste, it is her fear of swimming. The author explains how generational racism has affected African Americans in their learning to swim. If African Americans were not allowed in all-white pools in 50’s and 60’s many of them did not learn to swim. Therefore, it is not something they can teach their own children. Celeste’s grandparents (and Great Aunt Ellie) push Celeste to learn to swim—it is her right! And of course, important for safety. 

This is great book our students will love. The sentences are short and simple, which is fantastic for our reluctant readers, and it has a powerful message that will lead to thoughtful discussions.  4.5 stars.