Meryl Blomseth: Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier

Catrina and Maya are sisters. The book starts off with their family relocating to Northern California, Bahia de la Luna. Maya, the youngest sister, has cystic fibrosis and being in the cold, wet air is supposed to help her breathe. As the girls explore, they meet Carlos, a young boy who exposes the girls to the secret of the town. Ghosts live in the town. Maya is thrilled to know this, but Cat drags her back home, unsure about the new boy and his ghost stories. Maya is a bubbly character even though she has limited time on Earth. She has accepted her fate and wants to live a "normal" life. Her family recognizes the limitations that Maya's body has and acts accordingly. Knowing that ghosts are living in town, Maya prepares an ofrenda for her abuela and hopes to see her again. Maya shows little fear in ghosts and wants badly to connect with them, ask questions, and see if they really do exist.

Once Cat starts school, she realizes that Carlos is not the only person who believes or talks about ghosts. Her new friends talk about Dia de los Muertos party and explain that it is the social event of the year. She can not seem to escape the topic of death. Cat spends much of the book fearing ghosts and what they remind her of until the party. There she meets many ghosts and searches for her grandmother. As she goes from uncomfortable to laughing, Cat sees Carlos who introduces her to his uncle who passed at eight years old. It is this reunion that Cat learns that the afterlife is full of adventure. This new understanding helps her come to terms with the life her sister, Maya, will live. 

I would recommend Ghosts for 4th-8th graders. This is a magnificent story that is equally brilliant in illustrations. Read this book and find out how confronting fears shapes the resilience of one's soul.