Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier

Title: Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier

Author Name: Raina Telgemeier

Lexile Level: GN300L

Age Rating: 9 and up.

Star Rating: ✦✦✦✦✦

Genre: Fiction, Supernatural

Summary:

Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California because her little sister, Maya, is sick. Cat isn’t happy about leaving her friends for Bahía de la Luna, but Maya has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty air that blows in from the sea.

As the girls explore their new home, a neighbor lets them in on a secret: There are ghosts in Bahía de la Luna. Maya is determined to meet one, but Cat wants nothing to do with them. As the time of year when ghosts reunite with their loved ones approaches, Cat must figure out how to put aside her fears for her sister’s sake 𑁋 and her own.

Raina Telgemeier has masterfully created a moving and insightful story about the power of family and friendship, and how it gives us the courage to do what we never thought possible.

Favorite Character & Characterization:

I wasn’t able to find a favorite character because all the characters were so great!

If I had to choose the best ones, it would be Cat and Maya.

• Maya is so positive and full of life. She never lets her disease get her down, and is a really nice kid throughout the whole story. 
• Catrina (Cat) is just a girl who’s worried about her sister, but you can tell that she feels it’s unfair that everything revolves around her sister. I alluded to her relationship with Maya to be similar to Olivia’s relationship with Auggie in the book ‘Wonder.’
• She is overprotective of Maya and is quickly blamed for not being able to protect her sister.

Storyline Development:

The storyline started off normal with Carlos seeming like a creepy citizen. Then Cat’s family has dinner with Carlo’s family and he seems more normal.

But everything is ruined when Carlos takes Cat and Maya on a tour to the mission where Maya is consequently attacked by ghosts.

This turns the story into supernatural territory with the actual existence of ghosts springing up a lot of questions for poor Cat.

Worldbuilding:

The story takes place in Bahia De La Luna, a fictional town that has a mission, an arcade, and among other things: locals who all believe in the existence of ghosts.

Feedback: Overall, the story moves at a nice pace and doesn’t introduce anything in an odd manner. We have smooth transitions and beautiful art throughout. In conclusion, I think this is a great read for anyone nine years old or older.