GHOSTS by Raina Telgemeier

“‘There’s something different about this town…’ Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California because her little sister, Maya, is sick. Cat isn’t happy about leaving her friends for Bahía de la Luna, but Maya has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty air that blows in from the sea. As the girls explore their new home, a neighbour lets them in on a secret; there are ghosts in Bahía de la Luna. Maya is determined to meet one, but Cat wants nothing to do with them. As the time of the year when ghosts reunite with their loved ones approaches, Cat must figure out how to put aside her fears for her sister’s sake – and her own.”

What is the book about?

Catrina feels her whole life is ending when her parents announce that they will be moving to the North of California. She feels like it is ruining her life because of the lack of sunlight and lack of friends that she is going to find in Bahía de la Luna, but she has no choice but to pretend to be happy because the main reason for the move isn’t her dad’s new job, but, in fact, that her little sister, Maya, has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty, sea air from the coast. When they arrive and go exploring in their new home, they encounter a neighbour, who lets them in on a secret about Bahía de la Luna – the town is full of ghosts. Maya is beyond excited and all she wants is to meet one, but Cat is far from happy and wants to ignore the nightmare. But, as the time of year when ghosts appear and live alongside people for a night approaches, Cat must set aside her fear of ghosts and face them for her sister and herself…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

When my sister bought this book, I was beyond excited to read it. I knew it was going to be a fast and incredibly interesting read that I was going to absolutely love and I was beyond ready to read. Once I read the blurb, I was even more desperate to read the book as I was so intrigued and curious to learn more about the ghosts that would be found in Bahía de la Luna. I was really excited and, once I finally began to read, I knew that my excitement for the book was well deserved because of how I was already reaching the end, when I thought that I had only just started to read. It really was a great read and I knew that from the start.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was, no doubt, Maya. She was extremely inspirational in the way that she didn’t let her illness deter her from having fun and, in fact, I think that having cystic fibrosis made her braver than any other character. She knew that she was going to die earlier than she should if she wasn’t ill, but she didn’t let that stop her and instead she decided to live her life to the fullest and I think she was one of the happiest children I have ever read about. However, she was also a practical person and she was incredibly stubborn and it didn’t matter what she wanted, she was determined to get it, even if it was risky. She was incredibly inspirational and taught me to face my own fears and not let them stop me from having fun because life is short and it is important to live it to the fullest.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was at the end when Catrina finally set her fears aside and faced the ghosts for her sister, who couldn’t be there herself, but mainly herself. Cat had been prepared to hide away and not leave the house all night, rather than go with her friends to the Day of the Dead party. However, Maya was determined to not let Cat make the mistake of not going and somehow managed to convince Cat to go. It took her a while to get comfortable there, but finally Cat was able to let her fear of ghosts and death go so that she could enjoy the party just like everyone else. I really enjoyed this part of the book because it taught me that my fears are what are stopping me from living my life to the best I possibly could and if I didn’t face them, I would always be living my life in a box, not reaching my full potential as I should if I let my fears go and chose to enjoy a fearless, happy life. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Ghosts was a really incredible book and I really loved reading it. One thing that I really loved about it was how it began to consider big topics that a lot of us always think about, like death and the afterlife and what it is like to die. I really liked this because it was really easy to relate to what Maya wanted – to know what it was like to die and what would happen. Everyone has thought about this at least a few times in life and I really liked how I was able to explore one possibility of what may happen after we die (becoming ghosts). Another thing that I really liked about the novel was how it mixed reality with fantasy and superstitions. Death is a reality and it’s something that will happen to us all one day, hopefully after we have lead a long happy life. However, this isn’t always the case and it is extremely real that there are people whose life ends before they are able to truly live their life. Raina Telgemeier mixed this sad reality (represented through Maya) with the fantasy and superstition of becoming a ghost after you die and being able to continue leading a good life (as a dead ghost). This made death a little less scary and showed me that even if I die I will still have a chance to be happy (if this superstition is true). Ghosts was a really incredible graphic novel and I just adored reading it. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I recommend reading this book, especially for those who love some adventure and some superstition. It is a great read for anyone over 10 who struggles finding books fun and interesting to read.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An amazing, superstitious adventure.

Reviewed by Aldara Gutierrez Reviriego

DRAMA by Raina Telgemeier

“Callie loves theatre. And while she would totally try out for her middle school’s production of Moon over Mississippi, she can’t really sing. Instead she’s the set designer for the drama department’s stage crew, and this year she’s determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle-school budget. But how can she, when she doesn’t know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage AND offstage drama that occurs once the actors are chosen. And when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier!”

What is the book about?

Callie has always loved the theatre and, when she was a little girl, she dreamed of being on the stage someday, singing, dancing and acting. But soon she discovered that her dreams of stardom were impossible because she really can’t sing – she has no talent whatsoever. But soon she found her place, still in the theatre but rather than on stage, in the wings as part of the stage crew. This year, her school is planning the production of Moon over Mississippi and, though she would love to perform, she is a better fit backstage. She is determined that this play will be a complete success and that the set will be absolute perfection. But how can she achieve such a stunning, Broadway-worthy set when she doesn’t know how to do it, and there is drama on stage and off stage? Things are going crazy and somehow Callie must find a way to achieve success, despite all the drama. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

As soon as Jimena (my sister), came into my room holding Drama I knew I immediately had to start reading the book and that I was going to absolutely love it. I had already read 3 other Raina Telgemeier graphic novels, so I knew that this one was going to be as much of a success as the other ones. After reading the blurb and looking at the cover, I began to have a few doubts about the book because it wasn’t like the other ones I had read. I wasn’t entirely sure it was going to be as good as the Smile series, but I was still confident I was going to enjoy it. Finally, I started to read the novel and soon I was nearing the end, finding the book just as faced-paced and interesting as the previous 3 I had read by Raina Telgemeier. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Callie because of her self-confidence. She didn't care about what anyone else thought of her and she did whatever she wanted without caring about whether or not people would judge her. She was herself all the time and found friends that she could count on and could be her true self around. I really loved all this confidence she had in herself because it made me believe a little more in myself and made me think that maybe it wouldn't be that difficult for me to be a little more confident in myself. I care too much about what others think and Callie showed me that I can be myself and, even if other people judge me, I shouldn't care because it doesn't matter what they think it only matters what I think. Callie really showed me that I matter and no one should take that away from me. I hope that I can now take what I learnt from her and put it to use.  

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

This was a really hard decision to make because no part of the story really stood out to me very much, but I think that my favourite part is possibly when Callie manages to encourage people to buy more tickets and literally saves the day. I really enjoyed this part because Callie had spent so long working on  the cannon to make it work and she tried her absolute hardest to make sure that the production could be its very best and she was not about to give up when  she found out that ticket sales were down. A lot of people were discouraged and wanted to just give up, but not Callie, and when her hard work paid off she knew that giving up was never the answer.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Drama was a very incredible graphic novel, which I enjoyed immensely, though it wasn’t as good as the Smile series. One thing that I really enjoyed about the book was the flashback. Flashbacks are something that I find make a book 10 times better and, as soon as I read one, (as long as it’s well placed and relevant) I know I will really enjoy the book. I know that there was only a single flashback and it was extremely short, but it added some lovely backstory and it made the novel so much better. Another thing that I really liked about the book was how there wasn’t a single moment where I found myself bored. The plot was literally just a flow from one piece of drama into the next, with a few moments of resolution in between to keep the story going. I tend to find books so boring, but not Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novels! One last thing I would like to mention is that there is one little thing that I would want to add to the book: some sort of more impactful and noticeable message to take from the book. I know that there is a subtle message to keep inspiring and get inspired, and also to never give up on your dreams, even if they have to change a little to achieve them. But I feel like I wasn’t really able to feel it and it would have been nice to maybe develop the story a bit more and possibly put a deeper message in. However, Drama was an amazing book and I really enjoyed the adventure I went on. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend the book as it was incredibly fast-paced and perfect for people who normally find books boring. It is a great read, especially for readers over 10 who enjoy a bit of comedy, drama and a sprinkling of romance.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A graphic novel full of drama, comedy and romance.

Reviewed by Aldara Gutierrez Reviriego

GUTS by Raina Telgemeier

“Raina wakes up one night with a terrible upset stomach. Her mum has one, too, so it’s probably just a bug. Raina eventually returns to school, where she’s dealing with the usual highs and lows: friends, not-friends, and classmates who think the school year is just one long gross-out session. It soon becomes clear that Raina’s tummy trouble isn’t going away…and it coincides with her worries about food, school, and changing friendships. What’s going on?”

What is the book about?

Raina was just hoping to have a completely normal school year, but one night she wakes up with a horrible stomach ache. At first she and her parents just seem to believe that it is just stomach bug, especially as her mother isn’t feeling very well either, but it turns out to be so much more. She finally returns to school and back to the usual drama of close friends, enemies, presentations and gross classmates. Soon, it becomes apparent that Raina’s stomach ache is so much more than just a bug and might even be linked to the stress she feels from school and her home life. Her parents finally take her to a therapist who they think might finally help with the pain and stress as it becomes even more of a strain on her daily life and she is missing more and more school each day. Raina must learn to face her fears and learn that sometimes stress and pain is just a part of life and you just have to deal with it. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Obviously, as soon as I finished reading Sisters (the second book in the series), I knew that I immediately had to read Guts.  I was slightly upset because this was going to be the last book in the series, but I knew I had to read it because I was not going to lose the opportunity to read another absolutely amazing graphic novel. As soon as I got my hands on it, I started by admiring the matching cover to the first two books and then I read the blurb, which just added to my immense love for a book that I hadn't even started reading yet.  Before even opening the front cover, I already knew that this was going to be another book I was going to absolutely love and I was prepared to be amazed. Once I finally began to read, I knew that I had been more than right and I  got through the book wanting to reach its end, but also wanting to make it last because I knew it was going to be by the last one in the series.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Raina because of how courageous she was and how she managed to face her fears. My favourite thing about her was how she was like any other young girl with somewhat simple issues, like friends, enemies, schoolwork, etc. However, to her all of these problems seemed impossible to overcome. I know that she is completely based off a real person so obviously she is going to act like a real person, but I still found that the fact that she and I and all the other girls in the world are so alike made it so much easier for me to understand her and to really feel for her and everything she was going through. I also really liked how she never truly gave up, even when the world seemed to be ending, and she continued to try her best in everything, but still managed to be exactly like a normal girl.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was definitely when Raina was able to not just face her fears but learn to understand them. I liked how after this it wasn’t like all her fears just disappeared and she was all of a sudden completely ‘cured’, but instead she learnt to cope with the fact that she was always going to feel scared at times and nothing was going to go back to the way it used to be, but it could be near enough to normality if she could just live with the emotions she was feeling. This book was not a stranger to thoughts and feelings like some of the past books I have kind of read (meaning I read a few pages and gave up) but instead it deals with them as if they were real and not just parts of a person that can easily be dismissed. This part of the book made me feel like I could also overcome my fears and understand my body, as long as I was prepared to put in the effort. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really enjoyed Guts and I thought I was a really incredible read.  One of the things that I really loved about it was how relatable it was and how it really made me think about my own life. This whole book is based off a true story and is centred on the idea of gaining the courage to face your own fears.  Riana has to learn how to face her troubles and, as a reader, I was able to go through everything with her. All of the things she went through made me realise that there were a few things that I am afraid of and maybe I should start trying to gain the courage to face them. Another thing that I really liked about the book was how incredibly fast paced it was and how there wasn't a single moment where I was bored or though the plot wasn't that good. Every single moment I was reading I enjoyed it and I felt like I completely flew through the book and reached the end before I even realised that I had got so far. It really is a great book to read if you're struggling with reading books and you tend to find them boring. One last thing that I really liked about the book was, once again, the absolutely amazing illustrations. I know that's essential for a book to be called a graphic novel, but it completely amazes me just how well drawn they were and how all the drawings added to the fast pace and the way that it really made me relate to the characters and be a participant in the story and not just a witness. It really was an incredibly well-written book, and I can’t believe that the series is actually over. 

Which is your favourite book in The Smile series? (1, 2, or 3)

Although all 3 of the books were incredible, there can only be one favourite and I think that the best one out of all three was Sisters. The main reason for this was because of how relatable it was to my own life. It just described my own life and my relationship with my sister perfectly and I found that nothing could have been more accurate than this book. There were so many moments where I completely understood what Raina and Amara were feeling because something almost identical had happened between me and my older sister, Jimena, so I found that Sisters just spoke to me on a whole other level as I related to it so much. Another reason why I enjoyed this book more was because it wasn't just all about Riana and her story; it was also about her little sister and her whole family, so it was easier for me to understand the book because I could relate more easily to at least one of the characters. One last reason why I definitely enjoyed Sisters more than Smile and Guts was the flashbacks that only this book had. It was so cute to go back to when Amara and Riana were younger and that made me look a back on my own life and to all the memories I have my own sister. These were definitely the parts that I most enjoyed and they made the book stand out from the other two. All three books have been absolutely incredible, but Sisters was by far the best. I still can’t believe that I finished a whole series of books, even if they are just graphic novels, and I think that this series will always be one of my top ten reads.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend this graphic novel for anyone over 9 who are struggling to find a book that they aren’t bored to read. It is a great first read, though I do advise reading the first 2 books in the series before this one, but it doesn’t really matter that much. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An engaging and thought-provoking novel on facing your fears.

Reviewed by Aldara Gutierrez Reviriego

SISTERS by Raina Telgemeier

“Raina can’t wait to be a big sister. But once Amara is born, things aren’t quite how she expected them to be. Amara is cute, but she’s also a cranky, grouchy baby, and mostly prefers to play by herself. Their relationship doesn’t improve much over the years. But when a baby brother enters the picture, and later, when something doesn’t seem right between their parents, they realise they must figure out how to get along. They are sisters after all.”

What is the book about?

Before Amara was born, Riana had felt lonely and bored as she had no one to play with but herself. So one day she has a marvellous idea and asks her parents for a sister to play with. But when the day finally comes and her parents bring her newborn sister home, Riana isn't sure if the idea was as amazing as she had first thought. Ever since that first day, Amara and Raina's relationship hasn't been very good, as all Amara wanted to do was play alone and all Raina wanted was someone to be with. But when they get a new little brother and things with their parents aren't going very well, Amara and Raina have to fix their relationship and learn to get along. It couldn't possibly be that hard. They are sisters after all. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

As soon as I finished reading the first book (Smile), I asked my sister if she had any other graphic novels, specifically ones by the same author. When she finally came back to me with Sisters, I knew I was going to love it more than Smile because of how much I thought it would relate to my own life and my own relationship with my sister. Smile was interesting and a bit relatable itself, but I had a feeling Sisters would take my newfound enjoyment for reading to a whole new level. After reading the blurb and then the first page, I was so confident that my prediction was correct and soon I was reaching the end of the second book in the Smile series. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character (and I know that this may seem a bit strange for those who have read the book) was Amara. The main reason for which I really liked Amara was because of how much I could relate to her. I also find that I need to be alone sometimes and want to be alone, while my sisters don't seem to understand that and are constantly annoying me. I sometimes reach the maximum social interaction I can and then just can’t deal with anymore stupid, annoying people and need to be alone in my room. I especially liked how Amara didn't hide anything from her sister when she felt like she wanted to say something, even if it was something slightly rude. I'm always honest with my sisters when they're asking my opinion on something or when I'm in a bad mood, but they never seem to understand that I'm just trying to tell them the truth and not hold anything back. I know I can seem harsh sometimes and Amara was portrayed as a very rude and don't care kind of character, but I like that about her because she kind of reminds me of myself. However, I also liked how, when the time came for Amara to set aside her differences with her sister, she was able to do that and it really shows me that I can set aside my differences with my own sister and be kind and caring for once. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was definitely when Amara and Riana’s  relationship was restored and that they were finally able to communicate with each other in a more civilised way. This made me look back on the moments when me and my sister, Jimena, are able to bond and be kind to each other. To most people it seems like we are always at odds, but there are many occasions when we are the best of friends and I wish that would happen more often. This part of the book showed me that it doesn't matter what your personality is like or how much your sister’s personality clashes with your own, you are still sisters and you will always love each other, no matter what. I'm always fighting with my sister but I hope that she knows that deep down I will always love her and I hope that she feels the same. This part is definitely a moment to make you think of your own relationship with your siblings and to make you realise that deep down, no matter what they do and no matter how they act, you always care for them – even if you despise them in that moment. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Sisters was an absolutely outstanding graphic novel and I think this might be one of my favourite series so far (not that I've read very many). One reason why I absolutely loved it was how it was basically made for me and my sister. Our relationship is almost exactly identical to Amara and Riana's relationship portrayed in the novel. It was creepy how much I was able to relate to many things that happened. Another thing that I really enjoyed was the flashbacks to when the girls were much younger. I think these might have been the parts that I enjoyed the most and I was always looking forward to the slightly more yellowish pages showing that I would be able to read another one of Riana's memories. I particularly enjoyed them because they made me look back on my own life and the memories I have with my own family. This helped me realise that I do have quite a lot of good memories of my sister and that she isn't all bad. One last thing that I really enjoyed about the book was, once again, all the amazing illustrations that make this book a graphic novel. I've never been able to finish a book before and now I can show people that I have finished 2. I know that doesn’t count as a proper book in their minds, but for me they are, because they are the sort of books that were made for me. I suppose my sister was right when she said that I just had to read the right books to be able to enjoy reading.

Which book did you like better, the first or the second?

Although this may seem completely surprising, I think I loved Sisters more than I did Smile, mainly because of how relatable it was to my own life. Sisters  just fit so perfectly into my own life and my relationship with my sister was definitely reflected in the novel. I feel like Amara and Riana were literally reflections of me and Jimena and there were many moments where I felt like it couldn't be more accurate. One particular moment was when Riana got her own room and Amara was so annoyed, which happened in my own house when Jimena got her own room and I was left sharing with a younger sister. Another reason why I enjoyed this book more was because it wasn't just following Riana and her story, it was also following her sister story and her whole family story, so it felt a lot wider and easier to understand and enjoy. One last reason why I definitely enjoyed Sisters more was the incredible flashbacks that I absolutely loved. It was so funny and cute to go back to when Amara and Riana were younger and that made me look a back on my own life and to all the memories I have my own sister. Both books have been absolutely incredible, but Sisters was by far the best. I just can't wait to read the third and final book in the Smile series. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would 100% recommend this graphic novel, particularly to anyone over 9 who is struggling to find the right book to read. I suggest reading Smile before Sisters, but it is not necessary because there is not much of a link between them. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A well-written, relatable graphic novel that I know anyone with siblings will adore. 

Reviewed by Aldara Gutierrez Reviriego

SMILE by Raina Telgemeier

“Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there’s still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly. Raina’s story takes us from middle school to high school, where she discovers her artistic voice, finds out what true friendship really means, and where she can finally…smile. 

What is the book about?

This book is a true story based on the life of Raina Telgemeier. Raina seems to have a perfectly normal, drama free life. But one night, everything changes when she trips and falls while running with her friends after a Girl Scouts meeting, and knocks out both her front teeth. The story follows Raina as her dentist, Dr Golden, tries his best to fix her teeth and leave her with a healthy and normal looking mouth. On top of all that dental drama, Raina also has to deal with boys, friendships, a major earthquake and the transition from middle school to high school. Here she is finally able to be her true self and finds true friends and discovers her love of art. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I have never really liked to read and personally I think it is extremely boring, but my sister is insistent on the fact that books aren’t boring and if I think that then I’m just not reading the right books for me. So, finally after years of trying different types of genres, she found one that she was almost 100% sure that I would love – a graphic novel called Smile. When she handed it to me I wasn’t too sure what I would think of it. It didn’t look like it would be that interesting and I wasn’t really used to graphic novels so I was a bit confused as to why she thought I would like it. But, as soon as I read the first page I knew why she thought I would definitely enjoy this book – it was fast-paced and had so many pictures; it was perfect for me. I whizzed through the book and soon I found myself asking my sister for another book like it. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Raina because she was like what every person feels like on the inside when they are in their teenage years, awkward and weird and out place. She made me feel a little bit more confident in myself because I knew that I was not the only one who was feeling a little bit alone and I think now I feel like I can be more like myself now and not how other people want me to be. I particularly admired her when she finally stood up to her so-called friends, because this is something that I don't think I would ever be able to do myself because of how scary it is to be on your own and, even if they aren’t real friends, at least having someone to make it look like you aren’t a loner, makes secondary school (high school) a whole lot easier. I’m having some friendship issues myself at the moment and seeing that I’m not the only one makes it easier to keep going and to just fight back and make a stand for myself. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was definitely when Riana finally stood up to her friends because it had been bugging me from the first time I saw them being mean to her and I just really wanted to slap them all. This part really showed me that I should have more self-respect and that I don't deserve to be treated badly by anyone and no one should ever have to feel like their own friends or family aren’t there for them.  This also showed me that Raina wasn’t just some weird, awkward teen and that she was actually very brave and she had her own views and her own things to say.  This really showed me that sometimes you have to leave behind the people who you spend every day with because sometimes they are holding you back and you need to just let them go and see what you can do for yourself. Her friends had been doing terrible things to her and I had to just sit there and read through those parts when I really just wanted to tell her to man up and tell them to stop, and when she finally did it I realised that I should also be able to do that if I was ever put in that situation. It was a really inspirational part of the book and I really enjoyed it.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Smile and I sped through it completely and reached the end far too quickly. One thing that I really liked about it was how fast-paced it was and that it really just went straight in. With most books I read, I find that I get extremely bored after only a couple pages because the author introduces things too slowly or gives me an extremely boring backstory that I really don't care about, but with this book I got none of that feeling of boredom and I just couldn't put it down. Another thing I also liked about it was the incredibly drawn pictures that made it feel like I wasn't really reading at all and I was actually experiencing the story for myself. I never really thought I would feel something like this as I've always believed that books are just words on paper, but I realise now that my sister was right all along and books  can make you feel something and can connect with you on a whole different level. This graphic novel really was amazing and I just can't wait to read another book like this. I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy all of Raina Telgemeier’s books, especially if they like Smile. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I recommend this book to anyone around 9-13 years old who is looking for a book that they will finally not find boring and will actually enjoy. It is perfect for first time enjoyment readers. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An incredibly well written and drawn graphic novel based on a true story.

Reviewed by Aldara Gutierrez Reviriego