Graphic Novel

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol

Bibliographic Information: Brosgol, Vera. Anya’s Ghost. NY: First Second, 2011. Hardcover

ISBN: 978-1-59643-713-5. $19.99 US. 221 pages.

Awards/Honors:

• 2011 Cybils Award
• American Library Association (ALA) Notable Children’s Book
• ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults
• Young Adult Library Service Association (YALSA) Great Graphic Novel for Teens
• BCCB Best Book of the Year
• Graphic Novel Reporter Best GN of the Year
• Jezebel.com Best Female Creator of the Year 
•  2011 Eisner Award Winner
• Booklist Editor’s Choice
• Kirkus Best Book of the Year
• Library Media Connections Best of the Best

The Graphic Form:

Anya is a first generation Russian immigrant just trying to fit in and be a normal American high school student (flip through the first 10 pages). However, Anya’s search for normalcy gets a little complicated when she falls in a well (show page 13) and meets the ghost of Emily. Emily’s bones have been sitting in the well ever since Emily was murdered about a century ago.  One of Emily’s bones mysteriously winds up in Anya’s bag, and now Emily can go anywhere Anya can, as long as Anya has the bone (show p.101 of Emily flying) At first, everything is great. Emily helps Anya score higher on tests (show p. 35), helps her get closer to the boy of her dreams (show p. 111), and Emily enjoys her new freedom. However, once Anya starts digging into Emily’s past, things get a little complicated. Who exactly is Anya’s Ghost? 

Useful Links:
View a preview of the novel on the publisher's website, watch a trailer for the book, read the author's bio, and find out how to purchase a copy, all right here.  

Watch the book trailer here: