Salerni, Dianne K. 2013. THE CAGED GRAVES.
Boston, MA: Clarion. ISBN 9780547868530 [Suggested Grade Levels 6-12]
REVIEW
After the end of the Civil War, seventeen
year old Verity returns to her hometown in Pennsylvania and accepts an arranged
marriage with a local farmer. At first Verity is happy to reunite with her
father and meet her fiancé, Nate. However, once she arrives home, Verity
discovers her mother’s grave is surrounded by an iron cage and her father
refuses to discuss the reason. Unsettling rumors about her mother’s death and
unorthodox burial are whispered around town. Verity begins to question why she
had been sent away as a toddler and search for answers in the suspicious
community. It becomes clear that the mysterious circumstances surrounding her
mother’s death must be resolved before Verity can find happiness.
On a trip to Catawissa, Pennsylvania, the
author was intrigued by several caged graves in a historic cemetery. During her
investigation Salerni couldn’t discover the reason behind burying the women
inside the cages, so she wrote a possible story to explain the unusual practice.
The author’s note describes her research on the graves and former inhabitants
of the area. Curious readers can use these notes to start their own search for
answers to this mystery.
CONNECTIONS
Offer this novel to fans of historical
fiction that enjoy books with connections to real life mysteries. Salerni’s
work would make a good book club selection or writing prompt. Teens could
conduct their own research and discuss possible reasons for the caged graves in
Catawissa.
RELATED BOOKS
Other historical
fiction mysteries for teens:
Donnelly,
Jennifer. A NORTHERN LIGHT. ISBN 9780152053109
Harrington,
Kim. THE DEAD AND BURIED. ISBN 9780545333023
Morris, Paula. RUINED. ISBN 9780545042154
By
Kimberly C. Kinnaird
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