The Hidden Memory of Objects

Gr 9 Up—Fifteen-year-old Megan's older brother, Tyler, is dead. Megan knows that what the police are saying, that Tyler died of a possibly self-inflicted drug overdose, cannot possibly be true. Her brother was laid-back and fun-loving; suicide just didn't seem to make sense. Determined to uncover the truth, Megan delves into the objects that Tyler left behind, and the discovered items become part of Megan's ongoing art projects. A talented collage artist, she is constantly collecting found objects as raw materials. However, instead of simply speculating on the meaning of Tyler's belongings, Megan is inexplicably transported to a moment in Tyler's past whenever she touches something that was meaningful to him. With her new ability, Megan is thrust into a world of painful memories, both personal and national. It turns out that Tyler was in possession of various stolen items associated with the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. With the help of her classmate Eric and her brother's charming friend Nathan, Megan chases the truth about her brother's death all over Washington, DC. This debut novel is fast-paced and engaging, and the diverse characters, though slightly underdeveloped, are endearing. The elements of U.S. history add layers to this unique and enjoyable read.