I Witnessed: The Lizzie Borden Story: A Graphic Novel
In the summer of 1892, fourteen-year-old Charlie Churchill sees terrifying, shadowy figures in the window of the Bordens’ house next door. When the hacked bodies of Abigail and Andrew Borden are found only a few hours later, all of Fall River, Massachusetts, is thrown into a panic. As police investigate the murders and eventually bring Lizzie Borden, one of the daughters, to trial, Charlie begins to suspect that he has witnessed the murders and does some investigating on his own. He goes as far as planting a broken ax handle, an item he believes to be “evidence,” at the Borden home, hoping the police will find it.
In this graphic novel aimed at readers ages 8 to 12, author Kraatz and illustrator Jayme use actual dialogue from historical court records to help tell the story of Lizzie’s trial and eventual acquittal. Young readers will learn from Charlie’s thoughts and actions that it is unwise to make judgments about people without having the facts.
The illustrations are rendered in pale tones of blue. Considering that there is not a lot of action in the novel, the addition of color now and then would have perhaps kept a young reader more engaged. Still, the novel is a good introduction to one of America’s most famous murder cases.
