The Ghoul Next Door

By Cullen Bunn

Illustrated by Cat Farris

New York: HarperAlley, 2021. Comic.

11-year-old Grey is having a bad day. While taking a shortcut through the cemetery on his way to school, he trips and drops his school project -- a diorama of the cemetery -- into an open grave, where it is promptly snatched by a claw-like hand. That night, he sees the creature again as a hunched-over figure in his bedroom. Eventually, Grey decides to make contact with the creature and finds an unexpected new friend -- a ghoul named Lavinia. Grey and Lavinia become fast friends, much to the chagrin of Grey's living best friend Marshall. But things are only going to get worse. It turns out, ghouls are not supposed to become friends with "surface-dwellers," and when Marshall is taken as punishment, Grey and Lavinia must brave the Kingdom of the Dead to save his life.

This is a perfectly spooky and delightfully macabre graphic novel to start spooky season. Without ever being too scary, Cat Farris' creepy watercolor illustrations set the tone for the novel with shadowy figures and muted tones. The blend of humor and horror is masterfully handled in this graphic novel that celebrates friendships (especially unusual friendships) and slips in a dose of historical intrigue as well. Readers may want to read this one during the day time, but they for sure don't want to miss it.

Comments

If You Like...KPop Demon Hunters

KPop Demon Hunters has been one of the most talked-about movies of the summer. If you loved this movie as much as I did, you don't want the magic (or the music) to stop. Try reading these books that touch on some of the same topics and themes as the animated hit! Brick Dust and Bones By M. R. Fournet New York: Feiwel and Friends, 2023. Fiction. 247 pages. Orphaned Marius works in the family business--as their cemetery's ghost caretaker. However, Marius also moonlights as a monster hunter in order to earn the costly Mystic currency he needs to bring his mother back from the dead. As the window to bring his mother back begins to close, Marius's exploits get more and more dangerous, and he may have set his sights on a monster too big to handle on his own. Like Mira, Marius longs for familial connection, and his work as a monster hunter will satisfy the thrill of demon hunting for fans the movie. Where's Halmoni? By Julie J. Kim Seattle, WA: Little Bigfoot, 2017. Comics. W...

If You Like... Folktales

Folktales have long carried the wisdom, imagination, and traditions of cultures around the world by passing stories from one generation to the next. They often weave together important life lessons with magical creatures or daring adventures. Books, like the ones on this list, bring these age-old tales to life for today’s readers. Each story is rooted in its own cultural heritage and offers a glimpse into the values of the people who first told them. They remind us that storytelling is a powerful way to connect us across time and place. The Three-Year Tumble By Dayeon Auh New York: NorthSouth Books, 2025. Picture Book. Based on a beloved Korean folktale, a superstitious grandfather and his thoughtful granddaughter turn the legend of Misfortune Mountain on its head. According to the myth, anyone who falls down the mountain has only 3 years left to live! Together, this family learns how changing your mindset can make a positive impact on your life. The Salt Princess By Anoosha Syed New Y...

Five Faves: Witchy Intermediates

Hee hee hee! Hello, my pretties! Here are five short, illustrated chapter books for the season of the witch - some sweet, some spooky, all magical. The Knitting Witch Written by Norma Kassirer Illustrated by Mark Richardson. Oakland, California : The Collective Book Studio, 2024. Intermediate. 88 pages. Outrageously spoiled Ivy Lou meets her match when a witch appears and tries to trick her into becoming her child. Ivy Lou must unravel the witch's dark magic and save her parents. A modern classic in the register of Roald Dahl, with mischief, humor and spookiness. Witchycakes: Sweet Magic Written by Kara LaReau Illustrated by Ariane Moreira. New York : Random House Children's Books, 2025. Intermediate. 76 pages. Witchycakes owes a lot to Kiki's Delivery Service : a cute newbie witch making and delivering baked goods to the residents of their dreamy seaside town. It's cozy and sweet with lots of glowy illustrations. New Girl: Diary of an Accidental Witch Written by...

Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Search This Blog