“GHOSTS” BY RAINA TELGEMEIER: BOOK REVIEW

            I originally read this book a couple of years ago, in sixth grade. Though now, I’ve read it many more times than that. I remember picking up this comic at least once a week and somehow I was still entertained by it. 
            Raina Telgemeier wrote this 256-page graphic novel in the year 2016 captivating many young readers into her realistic fiction story. The pages tell the story of a teenage girl named Cat (catrina) and her younger sister, Maya. Their family of four moves to a town called Bahía de la Luna in Northern California, which Catrina is both sad and a little angry about. Though she knows the reason they did this is because of her sister, and for that reason alone, it is the best decision for their whole family. Maya must be in a better environment for her lunges, and Bahía de la Luna offers that. Maya needs this because of her cystic fibrosis. (Cystic fibrosis is a disorder someone can be born with that only gets worse as you get older, there is no cure for cystic fibrosis. When you have it, there is lots of excess thick mucus that builds up and blocks many different tubes, ducts, and passageways.)
        In the new town of Bahía de la Luna, Catrina and Maya walk around and discover a dusty old arcade. In this arcade, they meet a kid named Carlos who ends up being around Cat’s age. Carlos tells the two of them about a ghost tour that they have in the area and how you could see ghosts, but Catrina rejects the idea and takes Maya home. Eventually, Cat and Maya meet Carlos again as their neighbor, and his parents also bring up the ghosts in Bahía de la Luna and also the incredible celebrations their town has for día de los muertos. Carlos again suggests that he should take the two of them on the ghost tour. Maya constantly begs Catrina to let them do it, and she eventually complies.

        When they finally go on the ghost tour, they become surrounded by ghosts. Unfortunately, Maya gets too much air taken away from her when the ghosts go a little too far playing with her. This ends up in Maya going to the hospital and coming home with a breathing tube.
        When the celebrations of Halloween and día de los muertos arrive, Maya is disappointed that she cannot participate, but she makes sure that Catrina does. The experience of going to these two festivities opens Catrina up and makes her see the world of ghosts in a much happier light. She also learns to accept the new place she is living at, and her own heritage and culture through the celebrations of día de los muertos. Eventually, Maya does get to see another ghost but in a much safer way.
        All in all, this book has a great message of seeing the light in all things and not taking anything for granted. I am not much of a graphic novel reader now, I read “Ghosts” in middle school, but this book is still incredible! I wouldn’t really recommend it to someone in high school, but for those who enjoy this style or for someone in middle school or elementary school, I would definitely recommend it!
        -Written by: Claire Hobson