Telgemeier, Raina . Ghosts.

Telgemeier, Raina .  Ghosts.  Scholastic/Graphix  2016  239p  $10.99    ISBN 978-0-545-54062-9  Paperback  elem/ms      VG-BN

Upper-elementary and middle-school students who are fans of Raina Telgemeier will appreciate her new title Ghosts. Written in a graphic-novel format, the novel introduces Catrina (Cat) and her little sister Maya, who is sick as she suffers from cystic fibrosis.  When the family moves to the northern coastal town of Baha de la Luna from southern California so that the weather will be more favorable to Maya’s health, Cat is not happy. She misses her old friends, as it is hard for her to make new ones, but she knows that moving would be best for Maya. The girls learn about their new town and its famous yearly Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, as the town embraces ghost sightings and tours. Cat is terrified of ghosts, while Maya is intrigued. Maya’s disease brings her in touch with death, and the issue of dying is presented in a respectful manner by the author. Students will cheer for Maya as she battles her sickness. Even Cat comes to terms with the ghosts and her new friendship with Carlos, and puts her fears aside.

The author includes colorful illustrations, sketches, and factual information about Dia De Los Muertos and cystic fibrosis.

For schools who participate in Accelerated Reader, a test is available for students to take (AR Quiz # 184470).  The title would make an excellent addition to an elementary or middle-school collection for casual reading.    

Summary: “Catrina and her family have moved to the coast of northern California for the sake of her little sister, Maya, who has cystic fibrosis. Cat is even less happy about the move when she is told that her new town is inhabited by ghosts.” 

Moving house-Fiction, Illness-Fiction                 —Charleen Forba-MacCain

Gwynne, Carrie. Pack Up/Moving In.

Gwynne, Carrie.  Pack Up/Moving In.  Saddleback  2016  62p  $9.95  ISBN 978-1-68021-042-2  Series: Lifeskills in Action  hs/adult  Hi-Lo  VG-BN 

The LifeSkills in Action series is aimed at low readers who need some practical advice about everyday life management. In this slim volume, we get two books in one.  The first is a story about two sisters who are planning a move, highlighting the steps that go into a well-executed move to a new apartment in a new city. One sister is practical and detail-oriented, and the other is haphazard in her approach to planning and carrying out the move. The other half of the book, entitled Moving In, lists all the things one should consider when making a move, with key words in bold face.  Both halves of the book would be well suited to a life-skills class in a high school, as well as to a student with high-low reading needs.     

Summary: This is two books in one: a how-to on moving, and a story of two sisters who make a move to a new apartment. The format works nicely for a life-skills class, and it is written at a high-low level as well.    

Moving-Fiction, Moving-How-To                   --Carol Kennedy

Words with Wings.

Grimes, Nikki.  Words with Wings.  Boyd's Mills/Word Song  2013  84p.   $15.95  ISBN 978-1-59078-9985-8     elem/ms  Conflict  E-BN

For those who enjoy playing with words and seeing where words can take them, this book is a treasure.  A novel in verse, the poems reveal the mystical, magical world in which Gabby lives.  Since she was named for an angel, it is no wonder that Gabby’s thoughts gain wings and take flight.  Her love of words and the meanings, sounds, images and feelings they evoke take the reader on an in-depth tour of Gabby’s hopes, fears and joys.  Readers will savor the sound of words like “hush” and the images created by words like “dragon” and “sand”.  Teachers could use this book with any age group from third grade on up through college level poetry classes as a springboard for a discussion of how to create poetry that documents a life event with carefully chosen words that recall the feelings, sounds or smells attached to it.  Gabby finally finds a champion in a teacher who helps her learn how to focus when necessary but also to allow time for Gabby’s mental flights that can develop freely in quiet surroundings.  This is a book to savor.  The sparseness of words only deepens the reader’s appreciation for multiple award-winning Grimes’ linguistic talent.  Kudos to the cover art that is a perfect depiction of Gabby’s mind.                

Summary: Gabriella, named for the famous angel, often lets her mind take flight and gets into trouble for daydreaming.  Her move to a new school after the divorce of her parents leaves her wondering if she will make new friends since she is so quiet. Gr. 3-9.

Moving house-Fiction, Novels in verse                 --Lois McNicol