Ghosts ✩✩✩✩✩

In our elementary school library, Raina Telgemeier's first three graphic novels always top our "most checked out books" list. Our beloved and well worn copies of Smile, Sisters and Drama are already due for replacement. I'm sure Ghosts, Ms. Telgemeier's fourth book, will be extremely popular as well.

The story takes place on the northern California coast in a seaside town called Bahía de la Luna. Ms. Telgemeier's visuals of the foggy landscape use a palette of grays that are more nuanced than you would normally see in a graphic novel. You can almost feel the seawater in the air as you read the story. Catrina is the main character, and the family has moved to this town to enable her younger sister Maya, who has cystic fibrosis, to breathe easier. Soon upon arrival, the girls meet a neighbor and potential friend named Carlos who introduces them to some very real ghosts. Catrina "Cat" is afraid of ghosts, but she prepares to face her fears as the town's Day of the Dead celebrations are upon them. The girls, who have a white father and Mexican mother, learn a lot about ghosts and themselves as the special day takes place.

This story will resonate with your fourth grade and up reader who devours graphic novels or realistic fiction. If your student is taking Spanish for the first time, they will be interested to learn more about the Day of the Dead. One recommendation for lovers of this author would be to read El Deafo by Cece Bell.

The Graveyard Book Seen At Nantucket Bookworks

Cover of the graphic novel
version of The Graveyard Book.

Something about this time of year makes me want to read a really scary book. I was in Nantucket this weekend for a friend's birthday party, and I saw a copy of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman in the very cute and cozy Nantucket Bookwork's display window. This is the new graphic novel version, and I almost bought it then and there. I decided I didn't want to carry it home, but am now regretting the decision, because buying a book at a special bookstore is so much more meaningful than waiting for a brown package to arrive in the mail.

I read and loved The Graveyard Book when it came out as a chapter book several years ago; it started out as one of the scariest middle grade books I had ever read. In the Newbury award winning book, Nobody Owens, "Bod," is a human boy who lives in a graveyard among ghosts and ghouls. The story is at times terrifying, and other times touching and tender-hearted. I know it's been out for awhile, but I really want to read Neil Gaiman's latest, Fortunately, The Milk. I need to add it to the pile on my nightstand and put it in my "want to read" list on Goodreads.

Entry to the charming children's area
of Nantucket Bookwords

Two of my other favorites for scaring young readers out of their wits are Closed for the Season by Mary Downing Hahn, and The Nest by Kenneth Oppel. These are all great books for your not-too-easy-to-scare 9-12 year old reader.