Ghoster Heights

Ghoster Heights by Corey Lansdell & Kelly Mellings is a middle grade graphic novel about grief and loss. Ona and her father move in with her Baba at the beginning of the book. As the reader, we aren’t aware of the circumstances, but it becomes immediately clear that her mother isn’t in the picture, and Ona misses her. What she has left of her is a little electronic pet, very similar to a Tamagotchi; hers, however, is broken. Instead of showing a pet, it shows a ghost. Suddenly, Ona begins seeing ghosts all over her grandmother’s apartment complex. Yet these ghosts aren’t all they appear to be. Can Ona solve the mystery and help the ghosts find happiness?

This was an interesting take on a ghost story. These ghosts are a part of people living in the apartment complex, they are the part of them that is scared or sad. Ona somehow has the ability to see these ghosts. Once she realizes what they are, instead of being scared of them, she finds a purpose in helping them. I love this aspect of the story. Ona’s empathy and compassion for her neighbors drives the plot as she finds ways to help them.

Ona herself also has a ghost to deal with, and that ghost eludes her most of the book. My heart ached for Ona. She’s hurting, clearly missing her mother, and at the same time dealing with living in a new neighborhood and having to make new friends. Not only can this be terrifying, but it’s not easy to make friends when you are the new kid.

Overall, Ghoster Heights is a cute story about grief and loss and how we deal with it. Ona and Haunty (her ghost friend) make a good team as the story unfolds. The illustrations and paneling are beautiful, adding to the story, rather than detracting from it. These panels are just as important to the story as the words themselves. Ghoster Heights is sure to capture the attention of middle graders looking for a spooky story.