While thirteen-year-old Rachel dreams of becoming Pike River's Sunbonnet Queen, her cousin Charlie Hocking dreams of leaving. But both dreams are threatened by the presence of a fierce old lady who lives just outside of town. At first Charlie is more puzzled than frightened by the fact that the woman looks younger each time he sees her. But gradually, he realizes she's a phantom, a mad ghost who is eerily involved with the Sunbonnet Queen contest. When she threatens Rachel, Charlie decides to stay in Pike River, for a while at least. It's a wise decision, for with the help of an unexpected ally he saves Rachel's life on a Fourth of July morning the Hockings will never forget.
"Betty Ren Wright can always be depended upon for an appealing ghost story, and here, as usual, she fills out the frights with believable human relations and complications. . . . Suspenseful and fast-moving, this offers an ending that is both hair-raising and heartwarming, as Charlie discovers something new and valuable about his dad."
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"The nice blend of character development and large dollops of suspense will involve [readers] from first page to last."
Booklist
"Fast-paced, entertaining . . . The characters are believable and sympathetic. . . . A fine addition to Wright's other popular books for young readers."
