My 11yo daughter loved Telgemeier’s Sisters, Smile, and Drama, so this was a must-order for me when it came out last week. We opened the package this morning and she and I have both already read this sweet graphic novel from cover to cover! My 8yo son is up next.
Catrina and her family are moving to a blustery coastal California town in the hopes that the climate will be better for Catrina’s little sister Maya, who has cystic fibrosis. Catrina is torn between wanting her sister to be well and feeling sad about leaving her friends behind. In their new town, the sisters meet their new neighbor Carlos, a boy who is eager to teach them about the town’s ghosts and the Day of the Dead celebration. Catrina is afraid of the prospect of ghosts, but Maya shows ebullient bravery at the idea of celebrating the spirits of loved ones.
This book was charming on every level. Amazon lists it as for ages 8-12, and the book sweetly hits the age mark with a focus on the sibling relationship, making new friends, bravery, and talking to a boy (ugh!), and it does so with a childlike balance between reality and fantasy.
Highly recommended.
I didn’t know this was out already! My daughter LOVES these books!