0
    • Elementary Secondary Higher Ed Common Reads
    0 0
    Download high-resolution image

    Who Was Lizzie Borden?

    Part of Who Was?

    Author Meg Belviso, Who HQ
    Illustrated by Stephen Marchesi
    Ebook
    Penguin Young Readers | Penguin Workshop
    On sale Jul 07, 2026 | 112 Pages | 9798217144105
    Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

    See Additional Formats
    How did a young woman who was devoted to helping others become the prime suspect in her parents' gruesome deaths? Learn everything we know about the mysterious case of Lizzie Borden in this compelling biography.

    In August of 1892, the Borden family housekeeper found a horrific scene: Mr. and Mrs. Borden both murdered in their own home. There were no signs of forced entry, and no sign that a stranger had been in the house at all! The only other person who was home was their daughter, Lizzie Borden. Although there was some tension between Lizzie, her father, and her stepmother, there was little evidence to tie her directly to the case. And what was the motive for the double homicide? The mystery surrounding these murders became a sensational case in Fall River, Massachusetts, and beyond. Lizzie Borden became a celebrity almost overnight. But was she guilty? And, if not Lizzie, then who else could have been responsible?
    Who was Lizzie Borden?

    The clock at City Hall in Fall River, Massachusetts, had just struck eleven. It was August 4, 1892, and Adelaide Churchill was on her way home from the market. At that time, no one had a refrigerator in their home. Food spoiled quickly, especially on a hot summer day. Adelaide was carrying the groceries she needed to make a midday meal.

    She turned the corner onto Second Street. As Adelaide neared her house, she saw a woman run across the road. Women at the time wore long skirts and petticoats that reached the ground. They weren’t easy to run in, and it was unusual to see anyone try. Adelaide recognized this woman as Bridget Sullivan, who worked as a maid for Adelaide’s next-door neighbors, the Bordens. Bridget looked upset—maybe even scared.

    Could something be wrong at the Borden house? Adelaide grew uneasy as she carried her groceries into her kitchen. She had lived next to the Borden family for years. Andrew Borden was a respected man in Fall River. His wife, Abby, was quiet and sweet-tempered. The Borden daughters, Emma and Lizzie, the children of Andrew’s first wife, were polite and did charity work.

    Adelaide had seen Andrew Borden leave the house at his usual time, around nine o’clock. Andrew was retired, but he often ran errands in the morning and returned home at noon. An hour or so after Andrew left, Adelaide had seen Bridget washing the windows. Emma was out of town visiting friends.

    All in all, it was a completely ordinary day. So what could have frightened Bridget? Adelaide looked out her kitchen window at the Borden house.

    Lizzie Borden was standing at the back door. She was leaning on the door frame, as if she couldn’t stand on her own, and covering her face with her hands.

    Adelaide threw open the window and called out, “Lizzie, what is the matter?”

    When Lizzie looked up, her face was pale and frightened. “Oh, Mrs. Churchill, do come over,” she said. “Someone has killed Father.”
    Copyright © 2026 by Meg Belviso; illustrated by Stephen Marchesi. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
    Meg Belviso View titles by Meg Belviso
    Who HQ is your headquarters for history. The Who HQ team is always working to provide simple and clear answers to some of our biggest questions. From Who Was George Washington? to Who Is Michelle Obama?, and What Was the Battle of Gettysburg? to Where Is the Great Barrier Reef?, we strive to give you all the facts. Visit us at WhoHQ.com View titles by Who HQ
    Stephen Marchesi lives in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. View titles by Stephen Marchesi

    About

    How did a young woman who was devoted to helping others become the prime suspect in her parents' gruesome deaths? Learn everything we know about the mysterious case of Lizzie Borden in this compelling biography.

    In August of 1892, the Borden family housekeeper found a horrific scene: Mr. and Mrs. Borden both murdered in their own home. There were no signs of forced entry, and no sign that a stranger had been in the house at all! The only other person who was home was their daughter, Lizzie Borden. Although there was some tension between Lizzie, her father, and her stepmother, there was little evidence to tie her directly to the case. And what was the motive for the double homicide? The mystery surrounding these murders became a sensational case in Fall River, Massachusetts, and beyond. Lizzie Borden became a celebrity almost overnight. But was she guilty? And, if not Lizzie, then who else could have been responsible?

    Excerpt

    Who was Lizzie Borden?

    The clock at City Hall in Fall River, Massachusetts, had just struck eleven. It was August 4, 1892, and Adelaide Churchill was on her way home from the market. At that time, no one had a refrigerator in their home. Food spoiled quickly, especially on a hot summer day. Adelaide was carrying the groceries she needed to make a midday meal.

    She turned the corner onto Second Street. As Adelaide neared her house, she saw a woman run across the road. Women at the time wore long skirts and petticoats that reached the ground. They weren’t easy to run in, and it was unusual to see anyone try. Adelaide recognized this woman as Bridget Sullivan, who worked as a maid for Adelaide’s next-door neighbors, the Bordens. Bridget looked upset—maybe even scared.

    Could something be wrong at the Borden house? Adelaide grew uneasy as she carried her groceries into her kitchen. She had lived next to the Borden family for years. Andrew Borden was a respected man in Fall River. His wife, Abby, was quiet and sweet-tempered. The Borden daughters, Emma and Lizzie, the children of Andrew’s first wife, were polite and did charity work.

    Adelaide had seen Andrew Borden leave the house at his usual time, around nine o’clock. Andrew was retired, but he often ran errands in the morning and returned home at noon. An hour or so after Andrew left, Adelaide had seen Bridget washing the windows. Emma was out of town visiting friends.

    All in all, it was a completely ordinary day. So what could have frightened Bridget? Adelaide looked out her kitchen window at the Borden house.

    Lizzie Borden was standing at the back door. She was leaning on the door frame, as if she couldn’t stand on her own, and covering her face with her hands.

    Adelaide threw open the window and called out, “Lizzie, what is the matter?”

    When Lizzie looked up, her face was pale and frightened. “Oh, Mrs. Churchill, do come over,” she said. “Someone has killed Father.”
    Copyright © 2026 by Meg Belviso; illustrated by Stephen Marchesi. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

    Author

    Meg Belviso View titles by Meg Belviso
    Who HQ is your headquarters for history. The Who HQ team is always working to provide simple and clear answers to some of our biggest questions. From Who Was George Washington? to Who Is Michelle Obama?, and What Was the Battle of Gettysburg? to Where Is the Great Barrier Reef?, we strive to give you all the facts. Visit us at WhoHQ.com View titles by Who HQ
    Stephen Marchesi lives in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. View titles by Stephen Marchesi

    Additional formats

    Other books in this series

    Other Books by this Author

    Related Articles

    Subscribe

    Penguin Random House Higher Education

    © 2026 Penguin Random House

    Back to Top
    0
    Wish List (0)