Sean Click recomendations for a Graphic Novel: Anja's Ghost by Vera Brosogol

Anya's Ghost written and illustrated by Vera Brosogol is the first graphic novel I have ever read and I loved it.  I wonder if there are many others this entertaining and thought provoking?  

This is the story of Anya and how shie learns to see her trueself in the behaviors of a ghost.    Anya is a first generation Russian-American. She and her family came to the United States when she was five. Anya despite having acquired an American accent and an American fashion sense feels like an outsider.  She has few friends and spends her time fantasizing about being the object of affection of the star center on her New England prepatrory school's basketball team,   She doesn't feel American but she doesn't feel Russian either.  She feels caught between two worlds, the one of  her  traditional family and church and the one of her American private priveleged high school.

One day walking on her way home from high school Anja falls into a deep well and meets Emily the ghost who died almost a hundred years ago.  Anja is quickly rescued two days later from the well Emily her poltergeist hitches a ride out of the well too.   Emily whose life was cut short wants to experience teenage life vicariously through Anja.  She helps her new living friend pass tests without studying and go to parties without invitations.   Emily and Anja seem to be great friends until Anja does some research at the library and finds out the true reason Emily's spirit was trapped down at the bottom of the well.

When Anja understands Emily's true motives for favors, she starts to question her own negative attidudes and unhealthy behaviors.

This story is clever and captavating and I think approprate for ages 14 and older.  It would be espeically relatable for any first gerneration American who is having challenges with cultural idenitty. Some of the characters smoke cigarattes and drink alcohol.