Hildy Biddle is a teen with a nose for the truth, and there is a rotten apple in Banesville, New York, a place known for its apple orchards, small town values, and . . . local ghost.  When rumors surface that the old Ludlow place is haunted, a chain reaction of events begins, ranging from a mysterious fortune teller who predicts catastrophe and senses evil spirits congregating in the town to a series of unexplainable signs warning of evil yet to come.

As a reporter for the high school newspaper, Hildy starts to investigate who is behind the fear mongering.  Will she be brave and tenacious enough to expose the truth?  And can she convince everyone in time?

What I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE about Joan Bauer is that while her stories seem simple and straightforward, they are as finely layered as puff pastry.  She takes broad concepts such as the power of the press, eminent domain, the revolution in Poland, and the power of the underdog, and creates a deliciously complex yet personal story that demonstrates the significance of one individual, and what can happen when people join together to fight for what is right.  I'm partial to her previous novels as well, especially Squashed and the Newbery Honor book Hope Was Here.  There is tension and conflict without going overboard (I don't end up with nightmares!), and there's always a wonderful love interest for the protagonist (hurray!).  Joan Bauer creates heroines I can relate to and cheer for, and I really appreciate that.

Julie Larsen, this book is for you!  You will love it!