The Lizzie Borden Story (I Witnessed #1)

Told from the perspective of a neighbor who witnessed the event, this fictionalized graphic novel by Kraatz (the Space Runners series) and illustrator Jayme gives a gritty true crime spin to the real-life story of the 1892 Borden murders. In Fall River, Mass., 14-year-old Charlie Churchill lives next door to the wealthy Borden family. He grows wary of the Bordens after eavesdropping on a tense conversation late one evening between Borden daughter Lizzie and her father. Several nights pass, during which he spies on the Bordens through his window. The morning after surveying what he believes is someone attacking an unknown figure with an axe, he learns that Mr. and Mrs. Borden have been murdered. As citizens are embroiled in the ensuing investigation, Charlie embarks on his own inquiry, gathering clues and dodging encounters with the police, his relatives, and Lizzie. Jayme’s inked illustrations, rendered in a limited, blue-gray palette, give a contemporary feel to the historical happenings while dynamic facial expressions—paired with Kraatz’s conversational yet period typical dialogue—approachably relay the gruesome events. The result is a spine-tingling murder mystery adventure that recalls the I Survived series and will appeal to fans of the genre. Ages 8–12. (Mar.)