Ghosts

Catrina and her family move to Bahía de la Luna, a foggy town on the Northern California coast, to help her younger sister, Maya, who has cystic fibrosis. Maya’s condition makes breathing difficult, and her parents hope the cool, salty air will improve her health. Upon arrival, a local boy named Carlos informs the sisters that spirits occupy the town and return to visit their families during the Day of the Dead. While Maya is eager to meet the ghosts to ask about what happens after she dies, Catrina feels paralyzed by fear. The story follows their preparation for the holiday as Maya’s breathing worsens and Catrina struggles to accept her sister's physical decline and the presence of the supernatural surroundings.

Middle-grade readers interested in magical realism find this graphic novel helpful for understanding terminal illness and grief through a cultural lens. It serves children who are managing family health crises or those curious about the traditions of Día de los Muertos. Readers finish the book with a clearer picture of how Mexican heritage celebrates ancestry and a concrete way to discuss the reality of death without losing the capacity for joy.

Clear-cut; an easy read.

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