Book Review: GHOSTS

Telgemeier, Raina. (2016). Ghosts. New York: Graphix. ISBN 9780545540629

Plot Summary 

Cat and her family have moved to a new town, Bahia De Luna, California because the climate is better for her younger sister, Maya, who suffers from cystic fibrosis. Cat is reluctant about the move and is having a hard time adjusting to her new life in Bahia De Luna. The quiet town celebrates Dia De Los Muertos, where Cat faces her fears of ghosts and overcomes struggles she is having to help her sister’s wish come true; to meet a ghost. 

Critical Analysis

Facing one’s fears and finding out how courageous one can be is a journey in itself. This is what author Telgemeier writes in Ghosts. The characters in the story help define the story. Cat, who is hesitant about moving to a new town and making new friends, Maya, younger sister of Cat who is fearless, but sick with cystic fibrosis. The struggles Maya faces with breathing seems to be one of Cat’s problems she faces throughout the story. Because of her sister’s carefree outlook on life, Maya helps Cat to “breathe” deal with life’s problems and overcome her fears. She makes new friends, which is always a struggle for some in a new place, and is faced with a ghost that she befriends and takes the ghost to meet her sister who is sick in bed (one of Maya’s wishes). The story is divided into months which help with the setting of the story, as far as time. There are plenty of graphics which are vivid in color and almost creates a “movie” like scene for readers.  

Review Excerpt (s)

-Booklist starred (June 1, 2016) “Telgemeier has her finger on the pulse of middle-grade readers, and this might be her best yet.”

-Horn Book Magazine (September/October 2016) “The plot is paced steadily, building to moments of high emotion, often seen in enlarged panels or full-page illustrations. A muted color palette reflects the foggy, misty setting. Ghosts appear bed sheet–like from afar, but at close range resemble human skeletons with smiling faces, making them more approachable and even comforting than frightening.”

-School Library Journal (June 1, 2016) “Telgemeier employs the cheerful cartoon artwork that fans of Smile, Drama, and Sisters know and love, but her palette is more muted in places, fitting the book's somewhat serious and somber themes.”

*Eisner Award, 2017

*Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2017

*Lasting Connections, 2016

Connections

Students can read a section of the story (one chapter; Readers Theatre). This activity can also be done using the following books:

Terry, Laura (2017) GRAVEYARD SHAKE. ISBN 9780545889544

Ostertag, Molly. (2018).THE HIDDEN WITCH. ISBN 9781338253757

Weiser, Joey. (2019) GHOST HOG. ISBN 9781620105979