A gathering light

A young girl in 1906 America finds that she holds clues to a sensational murder case.

Based on a real murder at the turn of the century, this outstanding debut novel is a powerful and moving coming-of-age book. Mattie is torn between her familial responsibilities, her desire to be a writer, and the excitement of her first romance. Her dilemmas and choices are quietly reflected in the life of a young woman found drowned in a lake, a woman that Mattie only gets to know through reading her letters.

When finally the tales of Mattie and the drowned girl merge, their stories beautifully combine in a brilliant and perfect conclusion.

NOTE : Grace Brown's story which counterpoints Mattie's is based on fact, and became one of the most sensational murder trials in New York's history.

NOTE : Winner of the 2003 Carnegie Medal. Winner of the Los Angeles Times Teen Novel award