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Anya's Ghost

I personally really enjoy graphic novels, but many of my favorites are a little too difficult for some lower-level readers. For that reason, I recently read Anya's Ghost in hopes it would be a good recommendation for those students.

Anya's Ghost is about a girl who befriends a ghost after discovering a long-lost skeleton. Things take a turn when Anya realizes her new friend doesn't have her best interests at heart. The novel also explores the difficulties of fitting in as an immigrant in a new country as well as mundane teenage embarrassment over family. The novel also lightly touches on some sensitive subjects, including emotional abuse within a romantic relationship.

The illustrations are lovely, and Emily, the ghost becomes truly terrifying throughout the novel. The slow reveal of how she actually died pays off in the climax of the novel. Although I did enjoy the novel, I think it will only be appropriate for middle-grade readers or low-level high school readers.

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