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Module 6 Fiction, Fantasy, YA: Ghosts - Written by Raina Telgemeier


 

Module 6 – Book Review 2 

Review of Raina Telgemeier’s Ghosts 

*This review was written for a course through Sam Houston State University. 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Telgemeier, Raina (2022). GHOSTS. Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic. ISBN: 978-1-66884-415-1 

2. PLOT SUMMARY 

In the graphic novel titled “Ghosts” written by Raina Telgemeier the story follows a girl named Catrina and her family as they move to a new home on the coast of California. The story is about Catrina and her struggle to cope with her sister Maya’s illness of cystic fibrosis as well as her fear of ghosts. Catrina tries to settle into her new life and learns of a local tradition where people celebrate Dia de lost Muertos. This tradition helps Catrina confront her fear of ghosts and learn to embrace her cultural heritage. The author weaves themes of family, friendship, and acceptance throughout the author Telgemeier’s narrative and helps to better understand loss, healing, and honoring those we love. 
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS  

In Telgemeier's graphic novel, “Ghosts,” the first thing to note are the characters who everyone can relate to in the story. For example, Catrina is shown to be vulnerable but still has courage in spite of her initial skepticism of the supernatural. Telgemeier takes us on a journey of everyday challenges along with Catrina’s quest to deal with her personal fears and somehow still embrace the cultural traditions she discovers in their new home. It is the blend of everyday obstacles that are believable along with imaginative and supernatural elements beside realistic character growth that keeps the reader zoned in on the narrative.  

The setting itself gives beautiful and important tangible details in a coastal town in California that lends itself to the cultural aspects of Dia de los Muertos and the traditions that are celebrated on that day. Telgemeier does a great job of highlighting the important themes of the story such as loss, healing and the power of cultural heritage and what it means to try and overcome adversity in various circumstances. The author uses a clear writing style but still melds with the expressive illustrations to highlight the distinct voices of the narrative and a touching storyline. The reader can lose themselves in a world of reality and myth and be truly immersed in historical and cultural authenticity and come out on the other side of the narrative having experienced a meaningful and thought-provoking read.  

On a personal note, I read this graphic novel with my four and seven-year-old sons. The topic of ghosts drew their attention, and I was amazed that they were able to connect with the story. It opened conversations about sickness and life and death. While some people may say that the literature was too advanced, I disagree. It was also an experiment in helping my first-grade son with his literacy. He is an emerging reader and struggles due to being deaf. Visual learning is important for his development and this graphic novel helped him with fluency and understanding the “why” of the words he is reading. The content was just the right thing to hold his attention, and the advanced words helped to challenge him, but the pictures gave the same support as the readers he is exposed to daily at school and home. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S) 

Booklist starred (June 1, 2016 (Vol. 112, No. 19))  

Cat and her family move to foggy, windy Bahía de la Luna for her little sister, Maya, who has cystic fibrosis, since the new climate will be better for her health. The bright tones and wonderfully expressive figures of the racially diverse cast, not to mention the jaunty, friendly ghosts that waft over the windswept beach town, make this compassionate, approachable, and gentle story about death irresistible.  

Horn Book Magazine (September/October, 2016)  

Telgemeier presents modern magical realism in a graphic novel format. The plot is paced steadily, building to moments of high emotion, often seen in enlarged panels or full-page illustrations. From sisterly squabbles to tween crushes, the characters’ interactions feel genuine, with plenty of relatable dialogue and interests (e.g., gaming, texting, and pumpkin spice cosmetics). Notes on cystic fibrosis and Dia de los Muertos (but nothing about the cultural liberties taken) are appended. 

Kirkus Reviews starred (July 15, 2016)  

Catrina narrates the story of her mixed-race (Latino/white) family’s move from Southern California to Bahía de la Luna on the Northern California coast. Telgemeier neatly balances enough issues that a lesser artist would split them into separate stories and delivers as much delight textually as visually. Telgemeier’s bold colors, superior visual storytelling, and unusual subject matter will keep readers emotionally engaged and unable to put down this compelling tale.  

Publishers Weekly (June 6, 2016)  

Telgemeier's stirring graphic novel opens on moving day, as Cat's family travels from Southern California to Bahía de la Luna, a foggy village up the coast; Cat's younger sister, Maya, has cystic fibrosis and needs the sea air. The story is consistently engaging, the plot is tightly built, and-as always-Telgemeier excels at capturing facial expressions, as when Maya's oxygen tube shocks Cat's new friends, or when Cat's cool façade melts into ecstasy as she tastes her neighbors' Mexican cooking. 

School Library Journal (June 1, 2016)  

Catrina and her family have just moved to Northern California. Bahía de la Luna is different from Cat's hometown-for one thing, everyone is obsessed with ghosts-but the sea air makes it easier for Cat's younger sister, Maya, who has cystic fibrosis (CF), to breathe. 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.  

5. CONNECTIONS  

  • Related Books - Other books about the themes of family, illness, culture, and belief in spirits 

  • Keller, Tae. WHEN YOU TRAP A TIGER. ISBN 978-1524715731 

  • Nidhi Chanani. PASHMINA. ISBN 978-1626720879 

  • Enrichment Activities -     

  • Dia de los Muertos Exploration – Have students research Dia de los Muertos to understand the traditions and significance associated with the day. 

  • Health awareness connection – Have students research cystic fibrosis and have a discussion about chronic illness and how it affects a person’s daily life.

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