Charlotte's Ghosts: The Mystery of the Vanishing Boy

L. P. Simone

Jul 2025 · Dragon Song Publishing · Narrated by AmeiDala and Alec Simone

About this audiobook

From award-winning author, L. P. Simone, a story of friendship, struggle, and courage. "A middle-school cross-genre standout." Kirkus.

"A cozy, contemporary, paranormal mystery offers an opportunity for a gentle historical perspective on war and loss in this time-crossed middle grade novel." PW-BookLife

Charlotte Cross didn't believe in ghosts, until she met one whose heart was as broken as her own...

The spring before 7th Grade, tragedy strikes C. C. Cross. Dad won't be coming home from Afghanistan. When her mother packs her up and moves her across the country to Manassas, Virginia, C.C. finds herself in a new neighborhood, a new school and a new life, one without her mighty, fearless, and beloved father.

As C.C. struggles to build a new life, she meets a boy on the Civil War Battlefield near her home. Then he disappears right before her eyes. C.C. knows that somehow, she must uncover the truth about the disappearing boy, and why he haunts the Battlefield.

...In the spring of 1861 Jeremy Turner wants nothing more than to join Lincoln's army and shoot himself some Rebels, if only Ma would sign the enlistment papers. Not until he abandons his family farm and leaves behind everything he loves, will Jeremy find his way into the bloodiest war in American history.

Can these two broken hearts help one another find their way home?

About the author

A former librarian, writing, and history teacher with an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, and a Doctorate focused on American Fantasy Literature for Young Adults, L P Simone has crafted two award-winning novels that center on the universal theme of searching for home. Simone's own experience of loss as a young person informs her work's exploration, providing personal insight in stories that honor young readers' intelligence, and validate their struggle as they navigate the complexities of self-discovery, and the search for one's place in the world. Simone lives in Washington, D.C. with her spouse of 40 years, three cats and a garden that is a refuge for deer, foxes, wild turkeys and feral cats. AmeiDala is a music producer, songwriter, vocalist, featured vocalist, and vocal coach at Paradise Music Studio Co. She is an avid native gardener, beekeeper, and compost + food forest activist. She loves plant based medicine, and music, her family, nature, and animals with all of her heart.