SOLVED. Middle School Time Travel - Wheelchair bound girl with memory loss traveling with family in USA sees familiar house, gets transported to 1800s, meets an African American slave boy named Rafe. Read late 90s. [s]

[Jade]

A young Caucasian girl maybe tween has memory loss and there is something wrong with her legs - she can't really walk, so she is wheelchair bound. She just appeared one day with no memory so was taken in by a family. I guess she's had tests done on her legs and no one knows why she can't walk.

She's traveling with her new family, I think foster parents and possibly a foster brother. I'm pretty sure they were in Southern USA, they drive past this historic house, and she swears she's been there before, said it feels like she used to run up to the porch all the time or something. I don't remember if she enters the house or what, but she's suddenly yanked back in time to the 1800s.

I can't remember much about what happens when she gets there, except she's no longer crippled, the house is obviously 'newer' looking, slavery is abundant :( and she meets an African American slave boy named Rafe. She becomes friends with this boy. But I can't remember much else in the middle of the book.

(view spoiler)[At some point she's trying to save Rafe from someone, they're running, and *poof* they get yanked to present time, but right before they do, something sharp hits her legs and she can't walk again. I think both children retain their memory when they jump to present time; she at least remembers her foster family. I think her foster family ends up taking Rafe in as well, (hide spoiler)]

I do think this was a popular book in the 90's, it might have been given the Newbery Honors Silver Seal.

[Juels]

Ghost Hotel by Larry Weinberg. There are two sequels Return to Ghost Hotel and Escape from Ghost Hotel.

[Jade]

Oh my gosh you are like the book guru!! Thanks again!!

[Juels]

You're welcome. You provide good details. That makes them easier to find.