Shane-Michael Vidaurri

Thus is my 15th graphic novel I have read for the Cybils selection committee. While I wasn’t really taken with the story, I was captivated by the illustrations. They are beautiful, especially when our main and troubled character Effie is experiencing fantasy.

Here is the premise...

Effie is not doing so great in school, in fact she is failing. Effie would rather write monster stories than go to class, therefore she follows in a tradition of heroines searching for life far beyond the her normal existence.

This is where Effie befriends a trio of teen ghosts in her local state park: poltergeist Beulah, bird-headed pyrokenetic Caim, and “regular ghost” Nikhil. The three attend the Escher-esque Minourghast Middle School for Wandering Spirits, where they learn to stay connected to their former human identities and avoid becoming “lost souls.” Effie sneaks into their school in a comical disguise that features a mounted singing novelty fish for a head. We have all seen those annoying singing fish mounted on a board.

As the group plots to save lost souls without being consumed by them, Effie sorts through a falling-out with a human rival during a spirit-induced flashback. Vidaurri explains the emotional and energetic exchanges between humans, ghosts, and lost souls. The rich illustrations, diverse cast, and small twists on middle school drama establish a world where escape can be therapeutic, . Ages 9–12.… (mer)