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Duty, Courage, Honor
Charlotte’s Ghosts: The Mystery of the Vanishing Boy follows a grieving middle school girl who moves across the country and meets a ghost on the Civil War Battlefield near her new home. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The original idea for Charlotte’s Ghosts began almost exactly as the story opens, I was running with my dog on a Civil War Battlefield in Virginia, although it wasn’t Manassas. The enormity of the tragedy that occurred there overwhelmed me; of the people lost, and the effect those losses would have had on the families of the young men who gave their lives. In a time with no genetic testing, and when dog-tags were not standard issue, I wondered about the difficulty of the task of identifying those who were killed. I couldn’t imagine the grief associated with not knowing what happened to a brother, father, son or husband of that era. Or, to be the ghost of someone who could not rest because they would never be reunited with their loved ones.
Charlotte struggles with losing her father, moving across the country, and starting a new school all at once at a challenging time in childhood. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Charlotte adored her father. For her, losing him knocked the very Earth off its axis. To honor him, and to keep his memory alive, she tries to stay true to the ideals he instilled in her: duty, courage, honor. Those are hard ideals to uphold. By rediscovering the depth and strength of his love for her, and hers for him, she is able to help Jeremy, and despite the distractions that tempt her to give up on all that he taught her, she finds her place in a new world without him. In the end it is experiencing Jeremy’s grief, and remembering her father’s love for her, even after he is gone, that connects her to Jeremy and that moves them both to the beginning of healing.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
The story originally explored the role of Southern intransigence around slavery. As the story evolved, I realized that the most genuine information the story could convey was the indiscriminate horror of war. The US Civil War was the bloodiest war in American history in which hundreds of thousands of people suffered, were injured, or died. The tragedy of war is not just in the battles, but the privations and destruction that war causes. The true horror of war is the same for those who fight it, and those who witness it as civilians, no matter the weapons or the reasons for it.
Also, I hoped readers would learn a little about life in the 1860s by comparing a world without cell phones, electricity, mass communication, or even grocery stores to their own lives. Life for Jeremy and Charlotte could not have been more different, but the pain they experienced was equally devastating.
Will this book be the start of a series or are you working on a different story?
I am currently working on a totally new story that definitely has series potential, but unrelated to Charlotte and Jeremy. It involves a secret intelligence agency that is composed entirely of animals.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website – Dragon Song Publishing | Author Website
The spring before 7th Grade, tragedy strikes C. C. Cross. Dad won’t be coming home from Afghanistan. When her mother packs her up and moves her across the country to Manassas, Virginia, C.C. finds herself in a new neighborhood, a new school and a new life, one without her mighty, fearless, and beloved father.
As C.C. struggles to build a new life, she meets a boy on the Civil War Battlefield near her home. Then he disappears right before her eyes. C.C. knows that somehow, she must uncover the truth about the disappearing boy, and why he haunts the Battlefield.
…In the spring of 1861 Jeremy Turner wants nothing more than to join Lincoln’s army and shoot himself some Rebels, if only Ma would sign the enlistment papers. Not until he abandons his family farm and leaves behind everything he loves, will Jeremy find his way into the bloodiest war in American history.
Can these two broken hearts help one another find their way home?
Charlotte’s Ghosts
Charlotte’s Ghosts by L.P. Simone is a thoughtfully crafted novel that deftly weaves the threads of historical fiction, mystery, and supernatural elements. The book opens with the protagonist, C.C. Cross, grappling with the loss of her father, a pivotal event that sets the stage for an intriguing narrative. Simone artfully navigates the dual storylines of C.C. in the present and Jeremy Turner, a boy from the Civil War era, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected lives.
The plot centers on C.C.’s quest to unravel the enigma surrounding a boy who vanished on a Civil War battlefield, a mystery that gradually intertwines her life with Jeremy’s. Simone’s skillful storytelling oscillates between these two distinct periods, maintaining suspense and intrigue while expertly avoiding spoilers. The novel’s setting is rendered with vivid detail, immersing readers in both the turmoil of the Civil War and the nuances of modern life. The characters of C.C. and Jeremy are particularly noteworthy for their depth and development. Their individual journeys, marked by challenges and discoveries, form the backbone of this dynamic narrative. Simone’s writing style, characterized by warmth and a personal touch, underscores the emotional layers of the novel, particularly in its exploration of themes like grief, connection, and the lingering impact of historical events.
For those drawn to the allure of mysteries, this book offers a brisk and engaging pace, seamlessly blending the lives of characters separated by over a century. Simone’s depiction of the Civil War era is immersive, lending authenticity and depth to the historical backdrop of the story. The characters’ struggles are portrayed with a sensitivity that evokes empathy, enhancing the reader’s engagement with their journeys. The book’s structure, alternating between different timelines, enriches the story’s complexity and depth. The resolution of the central mystery is both satisfying and thought-provoking, adding a layer of depth to the novel’s exploration of grief and historical context.
Charlotte’s Ghosts is a commendable addition to the realms of historical fiction and mystery. L.P. Simone’s novel is original and resonates with a wide range of readers, appealing to both young and mature audiences. Its unique blend of genres and eras offers a reading experience that is as enlightening as it is captivating.
Pages: 184 | ASIN : B0C77VVTX2
LITERARY TITAN 