Horace is remarkably progressive, being raised in such a family, but the Von Machts' and Middleditch have less enlightened viewpoints. Speaking of the Civil War, the story also touches on race relations. It was interesting the way the story touches on the history of spirit photographs - the many frauds perpetuated with double exposures as a way to capitalize on the rising Spiritualism movement and the grief of those who had lost loved ones both within and without the Civil War. While Horace does much to "assist" Middleditch, he has not yet been allowed to take a photograph, but that changes when Middleditch needs him to aid in a scheme. Since this is a middle-grade book, I'll say that while some children might be interested in the technical details, several will probably gloss over it a bit more than I did, since I, at least, had a passing interest. This book starts off slowly, as we spend a bit of time being introduced to Horace - a boy raised by parents who believe in logic and reason, and who is apprenticing to the photographer, Middleditch - and a good deal more time learning about the technical specifics of making a photograph in 1872.
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