In honor of Halloween, here is a true story for you and/or your older teens that will give you all the chills! 👻
Candace Fleming is an incredibly talented author and she has taken mountains of primary source material and crafted it into a true crime tale that feels like a thriller.
Back in the 1920s in Chicago, two teenagers decided to brutally murder an innocent child in order to collect ransom money. More than the money though, their main motivation was to prove they could pull off the perfect crime and never get caught.
And they might have gotten away with it, but for one little mistake–a dropped pair of prescription glasses. 👓
The first part of this book is about the actual crime and capture, and then moves on to the boys’ confessions and the ensuing courtroom battle.
The part I found most compelling was the courtroom arguments regarding mental health. This was a landmark case because there wasn’t a lot of precedent at this time for pleading insanity or for trying teenagers for murder.
This book isn’t for the weak of heart! That being said, Fleming keeps the violence matter-of-fact and the focus of the book is really on the psychology of the boys and the legal system of the time. She addresses relevant contributing factors like police corruption, anti-semitism, the boys’ homosexual relationship, nature vs. nurture, and wealth & privilege with exquisite care, which makes for great discussion starters for you and your teens.
If you’re feeling brave, go ahead and give this thought-provoking book a try.
Happy reading and happy Halloween!
Books for Curious Kids 