Book details

The Secret of Laurel Oaks

Author: Lois Ruby

The Secret of Laurel Oaks

The Secret of Laurel Oaks

$11.99

About This Book

A haunting historical mystery based on real life events, told in the alternating points of view of a contemporary girl and a 19th century slave accused of a horrible crime.

Page Count
288
Genre
On Sale
09/02/2008
Age Range
10-14

Book Details

A haunting historical mystery based on real life events, told in the alternating points of view of a contemporary girl and a 19th century slave accused of a horrible crime.

When Lila and her family visit Laurel Oaks Plantation in Louisiana, her parents and brother scoff at the claim that the house is haunted. But secretly, Lila suspects there are ghostly presences willing to communicate with her, and her alone. One spirit eager to tell her story is Daphne, a slave girl at Laurel Oaks in the 1840s, who was blamed for the poisoning deaths of two girls and their mother. Daphne's spirit senses that Lila is the very person she's been waiting for, the one who can prove her innocence so her spirit can rest at long last. Shifting back and forth from Lila's world in the present to Daphne's world in the past, the true story of what really happened that fateful night finally comes to light.

Laurel Oaks is a thinly disguised version of the legendary Myrtles Plantation in Louisiana, which is on the Smithsonian's list of the ten most haunted places in America. This middle grade novel was inspired by the author's visit to the plantation and her experiences there.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Imprint Publisher

Starscape

ISBN

9781429940276

In The News

“A genuinely spooky and engrossing ghost story.” —Jennifer Armstrong, award-winning author of The Dreams of Mairhe Mehan

“YAs will enjoy the characters' struggle between reality and myth in this innovative ‘ghost story' overflowing with the power of love, friendship, and courage.” —KLIATT

“This plot-twisting ghost story is full of history, friendship, romance, betrayal, and jealousy.” —School Library Journal

“The bits of truth that Lois Ruby weaves into the story are what make it mysterious and chilling. This is a great book for learning about plantation life, but reading it at night will definitely give you the creeps.” —Bookloons.com

“If you read this book late at night, as I did, in a dark and quiet house, as I did, you may feel the same chill I did--the someone-is-looking-over-your shoulder chill. The heebie-jeebies. The creeps. This is a genuinely spooky and engrossing ghost story, filled with fascinating historical detail.” —Jennifer Armstrong, award-winning author of The Dreams of Mairhe Mehan on The Secret of Laurel Oaks

“Lois Ruby's The Secret of Laurel Oaks is an intriguing mystery that takes the contemporary heroine (and the reader) on a spirited journey back and forth from a haunted house to the slave-owning family that once owned it....We are in capable hands with Ruby's deft story telling powers and her devotion to historical truths. A terrific read.” —Sonia Levitin, award-winning author of Strange Relations, The Goodness Gene, and Dream Freedom

About the Creators

The Secret of Laurel Oaks

The Secret of Laurel Oaks

$11.99