Celeste and her cousins spend summer at their grandparent’s house and discover it is haunted by the ghost of their great aunt. There is an historical undercurrent to this story regarding black children in the USA not being allowed in public pools, and thus not learning to swim, that makes this story a little deeper than your average ghost story. ( )

Not quite as terrifying as I thought it was going to be, but plenty creepy! I love how India Hill Brown incorporates the history of segregation into her books. She's a great storyteller, as well, so the kids are engaging, interesting characters and the plot moves along quickly and with purpose. I enjoyed this one even more than the Forgotten Girl. An excellent summer on the lake story. ( )

Recommended Ages: Gr. 4-6

Plot Summary: Celeste is embarrased that she failed swim lessons, even if her swim instructor was awful. Her parents declare Celeste, her brother Owen, and their cousins will all spend the week at their grandparents lake house. Celeste isn't excited -- she is scared of the lake! Once they all settle in, Celeste gets even more scared. She swears she sees the attic light on, even after her grandfather takes her up there to show her it doesn't have a lightbulb. She thinks she sees and hears other things, too. Could it be the ghost of her great-aunt? Why does it seem like this ghost is pushing her cousin down the stairs? What is the ghost trying to do?

Setting:

Characters:
Celeste - wants to speak up and use her voice when someone else at the pool accuses her and her grandfather do not belong there (because they are black)
Owen - older brother, gets along really well with Celeste usually
Capri - has an attitude
Daisy - younger cousin, dresses in an old-fashioned way
Grandpa - takes Celeste swimming in the pool for their community and is an excellent, patient teacher
Grandma -

Recurring Themes: swimming, Black history, American history, family, confidence, learning a new skill, teaching, racism

Controversial Issues: none (Black history)

Personal Thoughts: I usually despise scary books so I had to read this one during lunchtime. The suspense built nicely through the writing; the author showed us instead of told us. I was glad I read this to gain more information about black history. I don't think there were any big surprises in terms of the plot but it was well done. The part about how Celeste can use her voice is a little preachy however.

Genre: horror

Pacing: fast
Characters:
Frame:
Storyline:

Activity: ( )

I keep comparing Ms. Brown's books to Mary Downing Hahn in feel, but honestly, she's in her own league. This book is spooky and heart-warming, and did I mention SPOOKY? I love how history is seamlessly interwoven into the story. This book is legit creepy, but it also made me tear up, and usually those two things don't happen with the same book. ( )

Girl in the Lake is a 2023 Lone Star horror novel!

Celeste comes from a family of swimmers, yet fails her swimming test, which leads to a trip to her grandparents house to learn how to swim at the lake with her brother and cousins. She's even been told, "Black people don't know how to swim," as if that's comforting? an explanation? Her family explain why so many black people can't swim; during segregation, there weren't many pools for black kids to swim in. You also learn that racism hasn't disappeared over time with an uncomfortable scene at the neighborhood pool. I really like Celeste's grandfather because he shows so much patience with Celeste and her cousin Capri whom he is teaching to drive. He takes everything in stride and patiently teaches each of them when they are ready.

Life at the lake house is not how Celeste's mother indicated it would be. Her cousin Capri is not friendly, and Celeste discovers that she has a doppelganger. Her grandmother's sister drowned as a child and she and Celeste look EXACTLY alike. Celeste is accused of doing mean things, but no one believes her when she says it wasn't her and she wasn't even there! Their great-aunt finds haunting the kids a great past time. She very effectively scares them; but, as Celeste tries to protect herself from the ghost and talk her cousin and brother into believing there is a ghost, she finds herself in danger. She still needs to learn how to swim, but can she enter the lake where the ghost died and survive?

If you like ghost stories, this novel is for you! ( )

Celeste and her brother Owen are spending the summer at their grandparent's lake house along with their cousins Daisy and Capri. Celeste is not interested in spending tine at the lake. She can't swim. She failed her swim test. Her brother Owen loves the idea of swimming since he passed his test. He is not interested in hiking with his grandfather. He has a fear of mountain lions. He doesn't know if there are any, but why take a risk? Daisy is the kind and courteous one but she fears storms. Capri is a lot like Celeste. She fears failure. Will these four learn to face their fears? What does a ghost who looks like Celeste have to do with everything that is happening at the lake house?
I bought this book for my classroom from the book fair. Before I had a chance to take it home and read it a student asked to check it out. I ended up buying a second one and taking it home so that I could read it. I just now got around to it. I now know why my students kept telling me I needed to read this book. I read it in under three hours. It was that good. Great mystery/horror story. Kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this book. ( )