Brosgol, Vera. Anya’s Ghost. First Second, 2011. 221 pages, $19.99 ISBN: 9780316056212 (trade)
Plot Summary:
Walking to school one day Anya stumbles into an open pit, where she encounters the remains and the ghost of the last person to fall down the pit. Lucky for Anya she is rescued, but the ghost hitches a ride when one of her bones ends up in Anya’s bag. Initially Anya is annoyed by the ghosts hitchhiking, but when she helps Anya cheat on her test and impresses Anya’s crush, Anya changes her mind about having the ghost around. That is until the ghost starts getting demanding and Anya discovers the true nature of her dead friend and how she really died.
Critical Review:
Brosgol’s first book is a stunning graphic novel. Anya is a funny and clever narrator struggling with fitting in without betraying her Russian and Jewish heritage. Like many teens Anya feels like an outsider and yearns to fit in and be accepted by her classmates. Brosgol’s graphic style of drawing is similar to the style of artist and writer Marjane Satrapi.
Genre:
Graphic Novel
Fantasy
Multicultural
Interest Level:
Grades 7 and up
Similar Books:
Persepolis Marjane Satrapi
Subjects/Themes:
Ghosts
Teenage girls
High School
Judaism
Awards/Honors:
ALA Notable Children’s Books 2012
Cybil Award 2011
School Library Journal Best Books 2011
YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2012
YALSA Top 10 Graphic Novels for Teens 2012
Author’s Website:
Annotation:
After falling down an old well Anya meets a ghost who returns home with her and becomes her new friend.
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