ARC REVIEW: Sheets
genre: graphic novel, fantasy
I thought it might be nice to review a heartwarming ghost story as we ramp up for the Fall season. Sheets tells the story of a young girl named Marjorie, who, after the passing of her mother, tries to juggle some adult responsibilities like looking after her younger brother and running the family’s laundromat. Simultaneously in the Land of Ghosts, Wendell is a young boy who is having trouble fitting in so he decides to head back to the Land of Humans. Eventually, these two narratives intertwine and the results are really cute (and maybe a bit predictable?).
While this graphic novel is very charming, there were a few things that drew my attention, and not in a great way. Wendall the ghost boy is supposed to be eleven-years-old but he acts much younger and I don’t think his behaviour is intentionally juvenile. When I was eleven, everyone was trying to learn how to skateboard and some kids had even started dating (well, holding hands in public). Wendall’s speech patterns sound like those of a much younger boy, re when he can’t read the word “dye” or when he makes up stories about lion taming.
This leads me to my next major issue in that I don’t really know which demographic this novel is for? It has a simplified storyline ideal for younger audiences but I also think that adults might relate more to the undertones of loss and financial obligation. The graphic novel itself is quite short and there isn’t a lot of room for character development other than Majorie is really sad and Wendall is a lost ghost. Without spoiling too much, the resolution is complete wish fulfilment, which might be far-fetching for adult audiences but expected in novels for children.
Sheets’ most redeeming quality, however, is its artwork and colourization. The story is completely done in pastel tones, and when we see the autumn cityscapes, the panels are truly breathtaking.
Here is one panel for example:
Ultimately I think because the artwork is so beautiful and the story is so short, read this book if you have the time because it’s cute and might make you feel good.
3/5 stars
Read if you like: Casper, How to Make Friends With a Ghost, The Halloween Tree
Sheets by Brenna Thummler will be available for purchase starting August 28, 2018.