American Spirits

★ “A biography of the Fox sisters, mysterious 19th-century mediums whose spirit circles led to the foundation of a new, highly influential religion… Rosenstock effectively and objectively presents historical facts alongside primary sources—journal entries, letters, newspaper clippings, photos—as she explores whether the Foxes truly experienced supernatural phenomena or whether it was a hoax all along. She also excels at integrating the larger social and historical context in which Spiritualism rose to prominence, drawing clear connections between the facts presented. A suspenseful, well-researched read filled with fascinating and evocative visuals.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“A detailed and engaging account of the Fox sisters, who started the 19th-century Spiritualist movement. Pages turn quickly with short chapters and Rosenstock’s intriguing ghost story–writing style. Extensive documentation is provided, ­including source notes, bibliography, and index. A great choice for teens who enjoy ghost stories and those interested in con artists or history. Recommended for all libraries.“—School Library Journal

“Rosenstock, known for her award-winning informational picture books, turns to an older audience as she examines how the Fox sisters drove the Spiritualism movement in the nineteenth century. In meticulous detail… Rosenstock frames their rise and fall with the state of the nation, from deadly diseases to political divisions over slavery. By the end of this intriguing account, which is supported by copious source notes, readers must decide if the Fox sisters were mediums or tricksters, famous or infamous—or a bit of both.”—Booklist

“When the mysterious knocking began in the Fox family’s rural New York cottage in 1847, no one could have predicted that the Fox daughters and their claims of speaking to the dead would inspire an entire movement, one that intrigued believers and cynics alike for decades… this nonfiction account seeks neither to prove nor disprove those claims, instead remaining tightly focused on the Fox sisters, from their hopeful beginnings to their tragic later years… the story is mostly recounted in newspaper headlines, direct quotes from notable believers and skeptics, detailed recordings of the seances, and photographs, underscoring a major theme of the book: ‘Maggie and Kate were both at the center of the story—and left out of it.’ Society was happy to listen to the girls when they were shiny and new, but once the novelty wore off, it was just as happy to leave them behind with only the dead for company.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (Recommended)

“Fascinating… will captivate, thrill and educate YA readers.“—Brightly

“Rosenstock evenhandedly explores the flawed methods used to ascertain the
truth as well as offering pertinent discussions of confirmation bias, media influence, and the limited options available to mid-nineteenth-century women… Meticulously researched.“—The Horn Book

“Wondrous storytelling….well-researched and wonderfully readable….As she tells the sisters’ story, Barb Rosenstock provides some broader historical context and explores how reasonable people come to hold unlikely beliefs—a topic as relevant today as it was in 19th century America.”— Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub

“The history of spiritualism is fascinating and Rosenstock explores all of its surreal manifestations: rapping, spirit writing, ghostly instrument playing, levitating furniture, and verbal communication with the dead. She carefully interweaves her account with more general history so that we can see connections between the sisters’ activities and the approaching Civil War, the limited opportunities for women, growing class divisions, a celebrity-obsessed popular press, and an increasing respect for science and empiricism… The book’s design is wonderful, featuring a goth-y black cover, thick pages, and amazing images. Great care has been taken in choosing and reproducing many period photos, maps, engravings, and letters, all of which ratchet up the story’s spookiness. A thoughtful author’s note at the end of the book outlines Rosenstock’s own final take on the Fox story and the research challenges she faced.“—Youth Services Book Review

“A prank blossoms into a nationwide phenomenon in this meticulously researched account of two acclaimed spiritualists… Along with liberal use of intriguing visuals, the author examines the news media’s sensationalized portrayal of the women’s work and personal lives, the psychology of belief in Spiritualism, and expectations of and opportunities available to women at the time. While the account concludes with Maggie’s confession that the seances were hoaxes, the Author’s Note invites readers to draw their own conclusions about the Fox sisters’ controversial work.”—Cooperative Children’s Book Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison

“Gather around the table and dim the lights. Clap. Clap. Clap. Do you hear that? It’s the sound of young readers applauding Barb Rosenstock’s American Spirits, a compelling, dramatic, wonderfully strange, yet entirely true ghost story. Gullibility and fakery; obscurity and celebrity; religion, history and biography. It’s all here, and it’s utterly mesmerizing.” —Candace Fleming, Sibert Medalist, winner of the LA Times Book Prize for Young People’s Literature, author of Murder Among Friends and other award-winning nonfiction and fiction for all ages.

“The Fox sisters captivated their neighbors, friends, detractors, and all of America. This book will captivate readers—with great storytelling, rigorous research, the truth—and no trickery!” —Deborah Heiligman, winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Nonfiction for Vincent and Theo, author of Charles and Emma, Torpedoed, and other celebrated nonfiction.

“Both a personal story of the three Fox sisters and a unique look at mid-nineteenth-century history, American Spirits has it all: rise to power, fame, greed, love, lost love, and fall from grace, all recounted blow by blow in the frenzied media coverage of the day.” —Elizabeth Partridge, National Book Award Finalist, 2023 Sibert Medalist for Seen and Unseen, and author of more than a dozen award-winning books for young people.

Barb Rosenstock is the author of many nonfiction books for young people, including Mornings With Monet, Fight of the Century, Prairie Boy, and Dorothea’s Eyes. Her picture book on Vasily Kandinsky, The Noisy Paint Box, won the Caldecott Honor.

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