Recent Reads: Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier
Publisher:  Scholastic
Publication Date:  September 30, 2016

 

Format:  Hardback
Source: Borrowed from the Library

Rating:
 


 


Goodreads Synopsis: 

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.

Review: 
This is a very cute graphic novel about a family that moves to a new place. Maya is the youngest but the story follows Cat, her older sister. Cat is just as you would imagine an older sister reacting to moving - it is her younger sisters fault even though she can't help it ad everything sucks and Cat is being punished by the universe. and things continue to go badly for her. Maya is running off and Cat's parents expect her to be the responsible one and make sure Maya is ok, but that becomes harder as Maya takes an interest in their new towns ability to collect ghosts.

As much as this story tried to portray Dia de Los Muertos and Mexican culture, I think it fell a bit short there, but it is made up for in the realization that the sisters have a bond and they love each other. Maya is trying to learn to deal with dead as it comes for her and Cat is trying to learn how to deal with her sisters death even though she is still there. Their bond through the book waivers and grows due to the traditions that the author tries to make relatable.  

It was a fun book to read, although a bit sad at times, I think if you are expecting a very accurate account of Mexican culture you will not enjoy this one, but if you are looking for a good graphic novel for a young reader with a good overall message this one fits the bill.