Reviewed by Sarah Tegerdine
Ghost Book is a rich and
delightfully crafted graphic novel for children and teens from author-illustrator,
Remy Lai.
Known for her previous titles, Pawcaso,
Pie in the Sky and the Surviving the Wild volumes, in Ghost book,
comes a Chinese folklorist fantasy with luminosity, magnetism, and comedy.
It’s Hungry Ghost month, and July, a
12-year-old girl can see ghosts. She finds a ghost boy called William who isn’t
a ghost at all, yet, but his life does flicker between the living and the dead.
July and William fast become friends, and
together they decide to take on the Underworld to return William back to his
body. This of course is made impossibly difficult when there are dangerous
ghosts about with an insatiable hunger for wandering souls.
Remy explores serious themes, such as
grief, death, loss of a parent and betrayal, and all are masterfully interwoven,
without the heaviness you might expect. The balance between light and dark is
just right. Accordingly, each page is also feast for the eyes, illustrations
are energetic and colourful. Young readers who pay attention to the comic strip
will be rewarded with tasty dumpling sized hints that foreshadow important plot
twists to July and William’s destination.
Ghost book is a lush, spooky
treat that champions the power of friendship.
Recommended for readers aged between 8 and
12yrs of age.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Buzz Words Books would love to hear what you think.