Thank you HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“I Witnessed: The Lizzie Borden Story” is a great introduction for kids interested in the true crime genre.
This story covers the historical real-life case of Lizzie Borden, told in graphic novel format with a limited color palette and an engaging art style.
The story wasn’t too dark even given the subject matter. I loved the characters. They were funny, charming, and very expressive.
However since the story is based on an unsolved case, the ending left me a bit unsatisfied and desiring more. Though this could be a good teaching tool for younger readers based on how you present it.
I definitely recommend this for homeschoolers and any child who looks at history with a wide-eyed curiosity.

Charlie Churchill witnesses a murder at his next-door neighbor Lizzie Borden's house and tries to solve the mystery of who actually did it. There are days he believes in Lizzie's innocence and others when he's sure she is guilty. The real-life neighbor of Lizzie Borden inspires this story, but it is a fictional account told through the point of view of a 14-year-old boy sprinkled with historical facts about the case.

I thought this was a very well-drawn and well-thought-out graphic. I loved having the nonfiction sidebars that gave true historical facts to the reader throughout the story and I really enjoyed following Charlie on his journey to figure out what exactly happened on the day of the murders. This graphic is meant for middle-grade readers and considering this graphic is all about a real-life murder, I thought they kept everything at an age-appropriate level. If you loved the I Survived series, then you will definitely enjoy this story.

I found this graphic novel to be an easily accessible piece that is perfect for younger readers who are interested in history and the idea of true crime. The art is well done and the story is accurate.

This is a great middle grade graphic novel! I loved the layout of the panels and the "case facts" that were included to give us extra information about the Borden murders case. Some of the women looked too similar and hard to tell apart, but that is my only complaint. I'll definitely be getting this one for my school's library, and I deeply hope this becomes a series; I could see it being just as popular as the "I Survived" books.

I Witnessed: The Lizzy Borden Story follows the teenage neighbor, Charlie, of the title character. Through his eyes, readers get both the facts of the case as well the emotional impact the story might have had on real life individuals. It's a true marriage of fact and fiction, which works well for such a serious story. Additionally, the graphic novel format is sure to entice middle grade and young adult readers alike.

Readers who enjoyed the I Survived series and its graphic novel companions will be sure to enjoy this novel as well.

I Survived, but make it true crime - that's what I expected given the start of the title, and that's pretty much what you get. As someone who has had phases of being deeply intrigued by this case and the uncertainties of it(and the fact that we'll probably never know what really happened), I was interested as a children's librarian but also personally in what this book would be like.

Using the lens of a teenager living next-door to the Bordens really serves to highlight the uncertainties and the way information can be twisted to serve a purpose (absolutely a topic we need to talk about right now), and overall I did enjoy this book - including the notes at the end that gave some clarity to what was historical and what was fictional (which is so important in any historical fiction work).

We're definitely going to have kids interested in this at the library, and I'd be interested in seeing more like this. (But also - did something happen in the last year or two with Lizzie Borden stuff? I saw several Lizzie Borden winter guard shows in WGI last year and now a kids graphic novel - what did I miss that brought this into the forefront of people's minds???)

4/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Children's for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is a historical fiction story of the events leading up to and the aftermath of the horrid night Lizzie Borden’s father and stepmother were found murdered. It’s told from the viewpoint of Charlie Churchill, Lizzie’s next-door neighbor. Charlie lives with his widowed mother Adelaide and his young cousin Lucy stays with them during the summer. Charlie’s mother is a nosy Nellie and constantly watches the Borden home from the kitchen window. Charlie has picked up his mother’s busybody habit and watches the Borden home from his second-floor bedroom window.

One night Charlie sees the silhouette of two people behind a curtain in the Borden home, with one bludgeoning the other. Not to his surprise, Andrew and Abby Borden are found murdered. In the day and age where forensic evidence was not born, the police rely on circumstantial evidence such as a clean axe head without a handle. Charlie takes it upon himself to find out the truth while reporters, curious onlookers, and police constantly are outside the Borden and Churchill homes.

Having watched some movies about Lizzie Borden, it is amazing how the true story has become a legend, leading up to the rhyme of 40 whacks for her mother and one more for her father. Truth bends over time and eventually becomes a pretzeled puzzle. Adelaide and Charlie were actually real neighbors of the Bordens and I enjoyed the young neighbor’s perspective.

From minor side characters to the women at the heart of this historic tragedy, every character is interesting as you're draw into this graphic, fictional retelling of the Lizzie Borden story. By focusing on the point of view of the boy next door, we're able to get a near inside look into the tragedy, without pretending to offer details that only those inside the house would have known, preserving the mystery. With the general love of true crime sweeping teens of all ages, this is sure to be a hit.

Kids who are into true crime will LOVE this.

I really liked the sprinkling of facts throughout the story, reminding the reader that this is based on a true story. I remember when I went through my Lizzie Borden rabbit hole, and after reading this, I know I'll be back there again, digging deeper.

I just know that after reading this book I'm going to be fighting a hyperfixation on Lizzie Borden. This was well told and informative. The illustrations are a perfect match for the story. I really appreciated all of the case facts and real headlines throughout the story. While it's about a very gory murder, it's tastefully done and appropriate for older middle grade readers.

What a great way to introduce this important case to younger readers. This would be totally appropriate for middle school readers! I love the art and the variety of page layouts, especially incorporating headlines from the newspapers of the time. The main character is a boy, which is a nice counterpoint to all the female characters that populate this story. Excellent blend of informing us on the facts of the case as well as the deeper questions of justice. Lots to discuss here with students. Definitely a must have addition for classroom libraries!

Pub Date: March 18, 2025
Genre: Middle grade horror, graphic novel

“Lizzie Borden took an axe, and gave her mother 40 whacks…”

I love the Lizzie Borden case. Her innocence or guilt is ambiguous and I both love and hate that we will never know the true story. This middle grade graphic novel was so fun to read and I really hope the author & illustrator create more “I Witnessed” stories!!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC!!

“Lizzie Borden took an axe/She gave her mother forty whacks/When she saw what she had done/She gave her father forty-one.”
Most people know about Lizzie Borden. Jeramey Kraatz gives the story a fresh set of eyes for younger readers whilst giving them actual facts. Charles Churchill was a real boy that did live next door to Lizzie Borden. However, the POV, life, and perceptions in this graphic novel are made up.
Charlie’s neighbors were always a bit odd and kept to themselves. Lizzie Borden takes care of her pigeons and her sister shops for dresses. Over a short period of time, things seem to escalate for the Borden family next door. Lizzie’s pigeons are killed, her family may have been poisoned, and Charlie might have seen her stepmother being murdered. All the hot tea is that Lizzie killed her parents.
I’m still not sure whether Borden killed her father and stepmother. Maybe new evidence or DNA could be revealed to us soon. One thing is for sure, Fall River was never the same.

#ThxNetGalley #JerameyKraatz #IWitnessed:TheLizzieBordenStory

Advanced Reader Copy - Review

As someone fascinated by true crime and unsolved cases, this story was a blast to read. I love how the author took the story of the Borden family murders and turned it into a first hand account from the neighbor or the Borden family. It was amazing to see how the author also included notes about the actual case in the story too! I could not put this book down!

An interesting take on the Lizzie Border story which retains the mystery behind whether or not Border actually committed the crime. Told through the perspective of Lizzie's young neighbor, the story mixes the real facts behind the story with some fictional aspects. A good starting point for those interested in the murders.

A lot like the I Survived Graphic novel series, this book does take a mark darker tone though. Interesting take on the story, and will definitely grab readers' attention with the infamous tale of Lizzie Borden, especially with a lot of students watching or at least aware of the wave of serial killer/murderous shows on streaming channels. I would consider adding this title to the shelves for grades 6-12.

This was a very interesting book. I did find it slow towards the end, but it was interesting to see a historical murder portrayed as a graphic novel!

As someone who grew up in Fall River Due to my father and grandparents living there i was Always interested in Lizzie Borden. The story was always so crazy to me, that even now we still truly don't know the real answers.

When i seen this graphic novel about it with its own fictional twist i had to read it And absolutely was not disappointed. In fact i read it in one sitting. The writing was nice and got to the point. The art style was stunning. Also he characters felt very fleshed out for a graphic novel. (Who doesn't love Lucy let's be honest.) I would absolutely recommend this one! For adults and children wanting to learn about the case of Miss Lizzie. In fact i could even see this book being used in schools or promoted in libraries across Massachusetts and more!

Fourteen year old Charlie lives next door to the Borden family. Their house has always been gloomy and the family members, especially adult daughter Lizzie, always seem a little off. Charlie's mother is notorious for keeping tabs on her neighbors from her window, so it's no surprise when Charlie starts to watch the Bordens from his. One day, Charlie is sure he sees something terrible - and hours later Mr. and Mrs. Borden are both found dead. The book follows the trial of Lizzie Borden (with a few extra-curricular and fictional inserts from Charlie) through the verdict and legacy of the story.
This book successfully walks the line between appealing to young readers who are looking for something spooky in the true crime genre, while also avoiding graphic imagery and detail that would make it a tough sell for an upper elementary audience. It will definitely be popular with readers who seek out the I Survived graphic novels. From the adult perspective, some anachronisms are evident, and the blurring of fiction and nonfiction may be a little tricky to help readers untangle (especially the sections where Charlie intersects with the actual investigation of the crime, which are highly unlikely to have happened in real life).

i don’t typically read historical fiction but it was interesting to see it in the form of a graphic novel. i like that the colors were grim.