A prank blossoms into a nationwide phenomenon in this meticulously researched account of two acclaimed spiritualists. In Hydesville, New York, in 1848, unexplained rapping noises in the Fox family home, interpreted as messages from a murdered peddler buried in the cellar, drew widespread attention. White sisters Maggie (14) and Kate (11) were the only ones able to communicate with the spirit. Taking advantage of their sudden notoriety, the girls—along with their older sister, Leah—began touring cities to hold séances for wealthy, astonished clients, many of whom longed to communicate with deceased family members. Their long-term popularity spurred the birth of the Modern Spiritualist movement; over the years, Maggie, Kate, and other mediums expanded their repertoire to include not only an alphabet and rapping noises but automatic writing, levitations, and apparitions. Years of constant work, fame, and public scrutiny, however, took a heavy toll on the two women. Maggie’s partner’s family considered her work disreputable and refused to accept her. Both sisters abused alcohol, and Kate nearly lost custody of her sons. 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 make their own judgments about the Fox sisters’ controversial work.

Finalist, 2026 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book
A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
CCBC Choices 2026

CAN THE DEAD TALK TO THE LIVING? Discover the astonishingly true story of Maggie, Kate, and Leah Fox—the Civil War-era sisters and teen mediums who created the American séance.

A real-life ghost story for young adult readers interested in the supernatural, American history, and women’s rights!

Rap. Rap. Rap. The eerie sound was first heard in March of 1848 at the home of the Fox family in Hydesville, New York. The family’s two daughters, Kate and Maggie, soon discovered that they could communicate with the spirit that was making these uncanny noises; he told them he had been a traveling peddler who had been murdered. This strange incident, and the ones that followed, generated a media frenzy beyond anything the Fox sisters could have imagined. Kate and Maggie, managed (or perhaps manipulated) by their elder sister Leah, became famous spirit mediums, giving public exhibitions, and advising other celebrities of their day.

But were the Fox sisters legitimate? In the years that followed their rise, the Civil War killed roughly 1 in 4 soldiers, increasing the demand for contacting the dead. However, media campaigns against the sisters gathered steam as well...

This thrilling and mysterious true story from veteran author Barb Rosenstock (Caldecott Honor winner) will spark teens’ interest in American history, encourage media literacy, and reveal insights into the Civil War era, fake news, and women's rights.