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The Forgotten Girl
"This ghost story gave me chill after chill. It will haunt you." -- R.L. Stine, author of Goosebumps
"Do you know what it feels like to be forgotten?"
On a cold winter night, Iris and her best friend, Daniel, sneak into a clearing in the woods to play in the freshly fallen snow. There, Iris carefully makes a perfect snow angel -- only to find the crumbling gravestone of a young girl, Avery Moore, right beneath her.
Immediately, strange things start to happen to She begins having vivid nightmares. She wakes up to find her bedroom window wide open, letting in the snow. She thinks she sees the shadow of a girl lurking in the woods. And she feels the pull of the abandoned grave, calling her back to the clearing...
Obsessed with figuring out what's going on, Iris and Daniel start to research the area for a school project. They discover that Avery's grave is actually part of a neglected and forgotten Black cemetery, dating back to a time when White and Black people were kept separate in life -- and in death. As Iris and Daniel learn more about their town's past, they become determined to restore Avery's grave and finally have proper respect paid to Avery and the others buried there.
But they have awakened a jealous and demanding ghost, one that's not satisfied with their plans for getting recognition. One that is searching for a best friend forever -- no matter what the cost.
The Forgotten Girl is both a spooky original ghost story and a timely and important storyline about reclaiming an abandoned segregated cemetery.
"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." -- Ren�e Watson, New York Times bestselling author of Piecing Me Together
"Do you know what it feels like to be forgotten?"
On a cold winter night, Iris and her best friend, Daniel, sneak into a clearing in the woods to play in the freshly fallen snow. There, Iris carefully makes a perfect snow angel -- only to find the crumbling gravestone of a young girl, Avery Moore, right beneath her.
Immediately, strange things start to happen to She begins having vivid nightmares. She wakes up to find her bedroom window wide open, letting in the snow. She thinks she sees the shadow of a girl lurking in the woods. And she feels the pull of the abandoned grave, calling her back to the clearing...
Obsessed with figuring out what's going on, Iris and Daniel start to research the area for a school project. They discover that Avery's grave is actually part of a neglected and forgotten Black cemetery, dating back to a time when White and Black people were kept separate in life -- and in death. As Iris and Daniel learn more about their town's past, they become determined to restore Avery's grave and finally have proper respect paid to Avery and the others buried there.
But they have awakened a jealous and demanding ghost, one that's not satisfied with their plans for getting recognition. One that is searching for a best friend forever -- no matter what the cost.
The Forgotten Girl is both a spooky original ghost story and a timely and important storyline about reclaiming an abandoned segregated cemetery.
"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." -- Ren�e Watson, New York Times bestselling author of Piecing Me Together
185 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2019
260 people are currently reading
5115 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 531 reviews
September 17, 2019
Super creepy, but also full of heart. This is a middle grade book that educates just as much as it scares, full of superstition, the ingrained racism that still exists in the world of today, and the past full of forgotten people of color who deserve to be remembered.
October 23, 2021
A very spooky and IMPORTANT Christmas ghost story for middle graders and adults alike...
I do want to mention that its best to not read the synopsis for this one, as it gives away the story for the first 60% of the novel. I think I (and other future readers) would have enjoyed this even more if i hadnt known 2/3 of the story going in. My advice is to go into this one blind. :)
I do want to mention that its best to not read the synopsis for this one, as it gives away the story for the first 60% of the novel. I think I (and other future readers) would have enjoyed this even more if i hadnt known 2/3 of the story going in. My advice is to go into this one blind. :)
November 23, 2023
This one worked much better for me than The Girl in the Lake. I really enjoy how well India is able to incorporate horror in the terms of paranormal elements in juxtaposition with the horror that has been historically faced by Black people in America. If you're interested in hearing more of my thoughts about this one, definitely check out this video: https://youtu.be/trWSlANmhmU?si=KFMfs...
June 2, 2020
❖ [booktube wish fulfillment] ❖ [twitter exsixtwosix] ❖
REP (note: I'm white)
- protagonist, best friend, and ghost are black
- the focus of the story is about segregation and its long-term impact
- covert racism is shown through how the protagonist's teachers and classmates regard her
- grief and trauma experiences
READER HEALTH (note: I'm a therapist and I'm white)
- The important topic of segregation is handled with nuance, imo.
- Grief is shown through the best friend and through his grandmother; the awkwardness from others is shown, as well as how grief is a part of daily life.
EDUCATION
- Again, segregation and racism are discussed.
WRITING STYLE
- Immediately engaging
- Concise
- Respectful of the intelligence of young readers; writes middle graders organically
- Is clear with important elements but also includes some information that can be analyzed (the conflicts with the protagonist and her sister; the "snow spirits" metaphor, etc.)
PLOT
- Follows a seamles arc that keeps the reader focused on the story rather than the author; there is a formula but it's only decipherable if you sit back and think about it and not when you're in the story and focused.
CHARACTERS
- Loved absolutely everyone.
- Loved how the 4 year old actually behaved like a 4 year old.
ENTERTAINMENT
- This was one of those books that I inhaled really fast.
- The author's organic writing was almost hypnotizing; I will be reading their next work!
REP (note: I'm white)
- protagonist, best friend, and ghost are black
- the focus of the story is about segregation and its long-term impact
- covert racism is shown through how the protagonist's teachers and classmates regard her
- grief and trauma experiences
READER HEALTH (note: I'm a therapist and I'm white)
- The important topic of segregation is handled with nuance, imo.
- Grief is shown through the best friend and through his grandmother; the awkwardness from others is shown, as well as how grief is a part of daily life.
EDUCATION
- Again, segregation and racism are discussed.
WRITING STYLE
- Immediately engaging
- Concise
- Respectful of the intelligence of young readers; writes middle graders organically
- Is clear with important elements but also includes some information that can be analyzed (the conflicts with the protagonist and her sister; the "snow spirits" metaphor, etc.)
PLOT
- Follows a seamles arc that keeps the reader focused on the story rather than the author; there is a formula but it's only decipherable if you sit back and think about it and not when you're in the story and focused.
CHARACTERS
- Loved absolutely everyone.
- Loved how the 4 year old actually behaved like a 4 year old.
ENTERTAINMENT
- This was one of those books that I inhaled really fast.
- The author's organic writing was almost hypnotizing; I will be reading their next work!
October 21, 2019
Every year when my daughter’s school has the Scholastic Book Fair, I always buy a ghost story. I rarely read any children’s/young adult books other than those with my daughter, but for some reason, I’ve always loved these kid’s ghost stories. I thought this one was probably the best I’ve read. It was spooky and even a little menacing without going overboard, but it didn’t pull any punches just because it’s for kids. And I thought the story made good sense (unlike some others I’ve read that really got lost at the climax). I also really enjoyed how this author wove segregation into this story, which would give young readers a chance to learn more about some history.
December 1, 2019
4 out of 10
Not my cup of tea. Too serious for a horror fast-paced read, too paranormal for a serious middle-grade book about racial problems and segregation. Plus I'm tired of cliches when one character loses their parent and changes or when two best friends are girl and boy. Since when authors stopped to write about girlish friendship? Girls in modern books are always enemies. No me gusta. Sisters relationship though I did like. Relatable. Also many thanks for touching such a series topis as segregation.
December 19, 2019
Sweet, spooky, informative and validating. Well done India!
November 11, 2020
Creepy and atmospheric, this book superbly balanced middle grade horror with in-depth and educational discussions of segregation, racism, history, grief, family and friendship. Young or old, no matter your age, this book is an asset to any bookshelf.
June 1, 2020
4.0 Stars
This was an atmospheric middle grade ghost story with some wonderful #ownvoices representation. The writing was quite strong and, at times, felt quite poetic. The wintery setting along with "spirits of the snow" certainly added to the chill of the story, although I did not find this one particularly scary. Instead, the strength of this story really came from it's diversity, which is so often lacking from the horror genre. It was interesting to see how the main character's home and school life was shaped by her black identity. I enjoyed hearing about hair wrapping and her dancing. Moreso, the story addressed historical segregation, focusing on how black people were so often "forgotten" by society, not just in life, but also in death. I would highly recommend this one to anyone looking for a good middle grade book. This is a very important story to tell in the midst of the current political and social climate in the United States.
This was an atmospheric middle grade ghost story with some wonderful #ownvoices representation. The writing was quite strong and, at times, felt quite poetic. The wintery setting along with "spirits of the snow" certainly added to the chill of the story, although I did not find this one particularly scary. Instead, the strength of this story really came from it's diversity, which is so often lacking from the horror genre. It was interesting to see how the main character's home and school life was shaped by her black identity. I enjoyed hearing about hair wrapping and her dancing. Moreso, the story addressed historical segregation, focusing on how black people were so often "forgotten" by society, not just in life, but also in death. I would highly recommend this one to anyone looking for a good middle grade book. This is a very important story to tell in the midst of the current political and social climate in the United States.
July 7, 2020
the right level of eerie for a middle grade horror book and an author I'm going to be looking out for in the future.
April 8, 2020
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
A creepy ghost story plus family, friendship, and untold history makes for a fantastic middle grade read in The Forgotten Girl! On the night of the first snow, Iris and her best friend Daniel sneak out to make snow angels and happen upon a forgotten graveyard. After which, Iris begins to see the ghost of a young girl and they start digging into the history of their small Southern town and the identity of the girl. What they uncover is the untold history of abandoned Black cemeteries from the time of segregation, and the stories of brave children.
This is definitely creepy, but not overly so. There is a lot of emphasis on strong friendships, beautiful family dynamics, and the complicated reality of having a little sister who wants to be just like you. The story also tackles micro-aggressions in a way that feels relevant to kids in middle school. Iris is the captain of the step team, but is often overlooked in ways that definitely feel like they have a racial bent to them. She has great parents who advocated for her, but that doesn't always solve the problem. In general I found this to be an enjoyable, well-crafted ghost story that sneaks in some really important history and social lessons. Definitely worth a read!
A creepy ghost story plus family, friendship, and untold history makes for a fantastic middle grade read in The Forgotten Girl! On the night of the first snow, Iris and her best friend Daniel sneak out to make snow angels and happen upon a forgotten graveyard. After which, Iris begins to see the ghost of a young girl and they start digging into the history of their small Southern town and the identity of the girl. What they uncover is the untold history of abandoned Black cemeteries from the time of segregation, and the stories of brave children.
This is definitely creepy, but not overly so. There is a lot of emphasis on strong friendships, beautiful family dynamics, and the complicated reality of having a little sister who wants to be just like you. The story also tackles micro-aggressions in a way that feels relevant to kids in middle school. Iris is the captain of the step team, but is often overlooked in ways that definitely feel like they have a racial bent to them. She has great parents who advocated for her, but that doesn't always solve the problem. In general I found this to be an enjoyable, well-crafted ghost story that sneaks in some really important history and social lessons. Definitely worth a read!
April 3, 2020
A spooky middle grade ghost story that reinforces the importance of not forgetting the past. When Iris and Daniel discover a forgotten graveyard behind their houses they learn about their town’s history with segregation.
I appreciated how there were some parts of this story that were genuinely chilling. However, some of the story beats are pretty predictable for a ghost story. Overall I did really enjoy the story and how it blended middle grade level horror with significant topics.
I appreciated how there were some parts of this story that were genuinely chilling. However, some of the story beats are pretty predictable for a ghost story. Overall I did really enjoy the story and how it blended middle grade level horror with significant topics.
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October 25, 2019This is delightfully chilling while also offering a story about segregation when it came to death prior to the Civil Rights movement. Iris is a great narrator and her relationships with her parents, as well as her best friend and his grandmother, are so real and so 11-year-old. I loved the longing she had to just do her best and be her best at school while also wanting to out perform the mean girl in her class. The ghost story is clever.
May 17, 2020
This was really scary and really good. I listened to the audiobook in one sitting, and it was a really eerie experience.
It was also amazing to see this girl uncovering "forgotten" parts of history and standing up for herself and these forgotten people. Plus, I really loved the relationships in this book, especially the one between Iris and her little sister, that had a lot of development and was so heartwarming.
It was also amazing to see this girl uncovering "forgotten" parts of history and standing up for herself and these forgotten people. Plus, I really loved the relationships in this book, especially the one between Iris and her little sister, that had a lot of development and was so heartwarming.
January 2, 2021
This is a very spooky & sad book. I love it.
October 15, 2021
Creepy, historically relevant, heart warming… this was a good story.
November 16, 2022
This book was pretty good, with it being targeted at a younger audience I absolutely loved how it talked about some topics that I feel are very important.
This story is about Iris and her best friend Daniel and how one snowy night while playing in the woods behind there houses they stumble upon a forgotten grave. Soon Iris starts getting haunted by the young girl named Avery who is buried there, and Avery is tired of being forgotten and wants Iris to be her best friend no matter the cost.
Like I mentioned above this book talks about some very important topics like the loss of a parent, segregation and desegregation, and an older sibling having to deal with a much younger sibling getting most of there parents attention. In my opinion, this book is great for young readers who want a spooky but not to scary read. The writing style was very rushed to me though and I wish there was a bit more detail and dialog as this book really didn't have a great one. But just reading this book to make sure it wasn't to scary for my cousin who I'm gonna let read it? It did keep me interested for the most part.
This story is about Iris and her best friend Daniel and how one snowy night while playing in the woods behind there houses they stumble upon a forgotten grave. Soon Iris starts getting haunted by the young girl named Avery who is buried there, and Avery is tired of being forgotten and wants Iris to be her best friend no matter the cost.
Like I mentioned above this book talks about some very important topics like the loss of a parent, segregation and desegregation, and an older sibling having to deal with a much younger sibling getting most of there parents attention. In my opinion, this book is great for young readers who want a spooky but not to scary read. The writing style was very rushed to me though and I wish there was a bit more detail and dialog as this book really didn't have a great one. But just reading this book to make sure it wasn't to scary for my cousin who I'm gonna let read it? It did keep me interested for the most part.
September 13, 2020
I really loved this book. India Hill Brown combines horror with historical fiction, discussing racial segregation and discrimination, both past and present. Told in alternating POVs (the main character and her best friend), it really kept me engaged. It's a great twist on the usual stories about discrimination in the past. The plot was fast-paced enough to keep me riveted, but not so fast that I couldn't follow what was going on. I highly recommend this book.
October 11, 2020
4.5 stars
I adore this book!!
I adore this book!!
June 23, 2020
I was delighted by this creepy middle grade novel, and thankful to learn about the history of segregated graveyards in America.
June 3, 2022
"This is a good book because the author really expresses the story in a way that feels like you are there. I wish it was a little less scary. I think you would like this book if you have ever felt alone and feel like nobody likes you or you feel afraid. I didn't know what segregation was before reading about it in this book. Segregation is not fair, everyone should be treated the same living or dead." -Cadee, age 10
February 24, 2022
It starts slow but comes chapter 8, it becomes a page turner.
November 13, 2019
@Kidlitexchange #partner - I received a copy of this book from the Kidlitexchange network in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
THE FORGOTTEN GIRL
Released 11/5/19
On a cold winter night, Iris sneaks out with her best friend Daniel to enjoy the very first snow of the season. In doing so she unknowingly brings home the ghost of a girl like her, a girl forgotten by most whenever she matters the most.
This was a delightful page turner and emotional read. Friendships are something I've never been really successful at and seeing it front and center in this book really got to me.
I love how the real history of segregation, especially graveyard segregation gets seamlessly woven into this chilling and spooky story.
There is something for everyone, kids and adults. I highly recommend you check it out from the library or surprise someone with a copy as a gift.
THE FORGOTTEN GIRL
Released 11/5/19
On a cold winter night, Iris sneaks out with her best friend Daniel to enjoy the very first snow of the season. In doing so she unknowingly brings home the ghost of a girl like her, a girl forgotten by most whenever she matters the most.
This was a delightful page turner and emotional read. Friendships are something I've never been really successful at and seeing it front and center in this book really got to me.
I love how the real history of segregation, especially graveyard segregation gets seamlessly woven into this chilling and spooky story.
There is something for everyone, kids and adults. I highly recommend you check it out from the library or surprise someone with a copy as a gift.
January 5, 2022
My rating is actually 4.5 stars!
This book was great. In this book we get to know about Iris, Daniel, Suga, Avery Moore. Each character in this book plays a crucial role. One day Iris and Daniel go play in the snow and make snow angels but soon enough they bump into a grave that has been forgotten. And soon enough Iris is intrigued and interested about finding out why the grave was there in the first place and who Avery Moore was. So as she’s doing her research about the girl and the forgotten grave she made it a project and came to realize that this grave was not only forgotten but also segregated. But the most interesting thing about this story is that Iris is visited by a ghost of Avery Moore who states she wants to be her friend and not be forgotten. This story was nothing like I have ever read. Iris along with Daniel, and Suga was inspirational and I hope that in real life there is a group of people that are researching forgotten segregated graves and let the world let the people that passed on will never be forgotten.
This book was great. In this book we get to know about Iris, Daniel, Suga, Avery Moore. Each character in this book plays a crucial role. One day Iris and Daniel go play in the snow and make snow angels but soon enough they bump into a grave that has been forgotten. And soon enough Iris is intrigued and interested about finding out why the grave was there in the first place and who Avery Moore was. So as she’s doing her research about the girl and the forgotten grave she made it a project and came to realize that this grave was not only forgotten but also segregated. But the most interesting thing about this story is that Iris is visited by a ghost of Avery Moore who states she wants to be her friend and not be forgotten. This story was nothing like I have ever read. Iris along with Daniel, and Suga was inspirational and I hope that in real life there is a group of people that are researching forgotten segregated graves and let the world let the people that passed on will never be forgotten.
June 29, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for this story; while middle grade horror can be cheesy to me, this one went deeper and is worth the read. Sixth grader Iris, who loves the snow, often feels overlooked. As one of the only Black kids at her middle school, she thinks nobody pays attention to her achievements or awesome step team; at home, she feels like her little sister often gets more attention. When she and her best friend Daniel sneak out to play in the first snow of the season, she unlocks a spirit with her snow angel. As she and Daniel research the lost graves they found, they uncover a part of their town that has been buried (good pun, right?) and intend to bring it to life. While a spirit haunts Iris. Hand this to readers in grades 4-7.
December 24, 2019
Not only was this book creepy, but it was filled with history and heart. The author did an amazing job of weaving together a ghost story, a haunting, and dealing with prejudice and black history. Such a great read. Review coming soon on my blog.
February 2, 2021
A good, spooky MG book, but with added dimension of learning about the past practice of segregated graveyards in a natural and seamless way as the story progressed. Iris is a memorable character who seems so much like a real person, too.
July 12, 2020
This was a lovely, genuinely suspenseful and spooky, middle-grade ghost story. It focuses on an area of history I’d never really thought about — segregated cemeteries, many of which were lost as their caretakers migrated and cities developed and in some cases even paved over them.
The specificity and heart that the author brings to this subject really shines through (and definitely read the author’s note to get more insight on the personal side to the story). I also loved the focus on friendship and familial love.
I highly recommend this book! It would be a good spooky fall or winter read, which honestly felt quite scary (and interesting) to me, a grown adult. But, although the stakes are high, the way it resolves seems perfect for middle grade readers. And the various strands, including school and extracurricular story lines, are all wrapped up together in a nice way.
The specificity and heart that the author brings to this subject really shines through (and definitely read the author’s note to get more insight on the personal side to the story). I also loved the focus on friendship and familial love.
I highly recommend this book! It would be a good spooky fall or winter read, which honestly felt quite scary (and interesting) to me, a grown adult. But, although the stakes are high, the way it resolves seems perfect for middle grade readers. And the various strands, including school and extracurricular story lines, are all wrapped up together in a nice way.
October 23, 2020
The Forgotten Girl is a truly spooky middle grade read that focuses on segregation and how that period of our history led to many people of that generation being essentially forgotten. It centers around Iris and her best friend Daniel, who stumble across an abandoned graveyard when they sneak out one night to play in the snow. After that encounter, Iris finds herself haunted by the ghost of a young girl. At first Iris believes she might just be dreaming the encounters, but it becomes apparent that the ghost is real—and that she may have very dangerous intentions.
Like I said, this book is actually pretty scary. It reads like a true ghost story (and might be a bit intense for some middle grade readers). But I love how Brown weaves a forgotten history into the tale and ties it into Iris’s life, where she herself is feeling overlooked and suspects that race might be a major factor in that. I also love the themes of friendship and rising above adversity, and the backdrop of a paranormal tale adds a level of suspense to a tale that could otherwise feel didactic. This is an engrossing tale!
NARRATION: I listened to the audiobook version of this one and was quite impressed by the atmospheric narration performed by Imani Parks.
Like I said, this book is actually pretty scary. It reads like a true ghost story (and might be a bit intense for some middle grade readers). But I love how Brown weaves a forgotten history into the tale and ties it into Iris’s life, where she herself is feeling overlooked and suspects that race might be a major factor in that. I also love the themes of friendship and rising above adversity, and the backdrop of a paranormal tale adds a level of suspense to a tale that could otherwise feel didactic. This is an engrossing tale!
NARRATION: I listened to the audiobook version of this one and was quite impressed by the atmospheric narration performed by Imani Parks.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 531 reviews