Anya’s Ghost

Anya’s Ghost

Vera Brosgol

First Second, 2011

$15.99, Paperback

978-1-596-43552-0

February 15^th, 2012

Genre: Horror

Age: 12+

Description: Anya has enough problems—she has an embarrassing Russian mother, is self-conscious about her body, and has a crush on a boy who will never notice her. The last thing she needs is to fall to the bottom of a deep well. At first it is scary when she finds the remains of a body, but not so much when she meets Emily, the ghostly owner of the bones. When she is rescued, Emily follows Anya home and soon life with her ghost BFF is going great. Unfortunately after some differing points of view, it seems like Emily may be taking the “forever” part a little too seriously.

Opinion: The art is simple in its black and gray tones and striking whites which will attract readers. I’m glad the length of the novel is longer than most graphic novels (its 220 pages) so the reader is really allowed to get embedded in the characters’ lives. Many readers can relate to Anya’s life. When Emily helps her get attention of the Sean, Anya feels she should help Emily by trying to solve her murder. That’s when the plot starts throwing twists and turns at the reader so quickly it will keep you guessing how their story will end. Awards: 2012 YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens; 2011 Kirkus Best Teen Books of the Year; School Library Journal’s Best Fiction Books of 2011; Horn Book’s Best Fiction Books of 2011