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Ghoulia

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Ghoulia
(Ghoulia #1)
By Barbara Cantini
Amulet Books, 2018. Intermediate.

Sometimes, making new friends is a little bit tricky—especially when you’re a zombie girl, and your aunt is dead-set against you having a social life. “Ghoulia” is about a young zombie girl in that exact predicament. All she wants is to make friends, and have somebody to play with. Unfortunately, zombies aren’t usually well-received, socially. Her family is sure that it’ll be a disaster, so she’s forbidden from leaving their haunted house to make new friends.

Cantini plays with a lot of fun details in this spooky but sweet read. For example, Ghoulia’s life is a little bit wacky, and it shows in the funny illustrations, such as her uncle’s disembodied head being used as a jewelry box. Young readers feeling excited about making new friends will relate to Ghoulia’s enthusiasm, especially the ones who like things a little bit spooky or unique.
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