Prologue

The Christmas of 1895 was anything but merry for the Palindrome family, for twenty days prior, twelve-year-old Christopher Palindrome had disappeared without a trace. His presents remained unopened under the great tree until early in the 21st century, when a wealthy family moved into the old mansion and disturbed them.

B. Lee Banks

B. Lee Banks had the second best academic record in the history of Palindrome Academy. The top honor was held by none other than Christopher Palindrome, the legendary student for whom the school changed its name in 1897, two years after his disappearance.
B. Lee strove to unseat Christopher Palindrome from his academic throne.
A century of glory was an adequate period of honor, and she was giddy for her reign to begin. Two more spelling bee victories and the title of Most Honored Student would be hers.

Maud Brindlebee

There were rumors that Maud could communicate with the spirit world. Kids said that Maud had witch parents. The truth was that no one really knew the truth about Maud. They only knew what they saw: a loner who dressed oddly and who carried a can on a string she called Poppy.

Obituary for Christopher Palindrome

Christopher Palindrome, aged 12, of Plainbridge, MA, was last seen on the evening of December the Fifth, 1895. He is believed to have perished in Farthington Woods. He is survived by his mother, Agatha Palindrome (née Karp), and father, Otto Palindrome.
Christopher will be remembered for his aptitude and zeal for learning, his shy benevolence, and the legacy of genius for which his school paid him homage by re-christening itself "The Palindrome Academy for Learning Arts".