The book highlighted the importance of confronting our own ghosts, overcoming our fears, whether it be Maya confronting her own limitations or Cat actually confronting ghosts and her inability to accept her sisters inevitable death. Cat does this by eventually embracing those ghosts, and realizing that while she may lose her sister someday, she will always hold her in her heart. One of my favourite scenes happens between Cat and an elderly female ghost, who she believed was her grandmother. They are both alone in a sea of people partying, but together they find respite and strength of spirit. It was very emotional and poignant. Maya's character is full of enthusiasm, joy and energy; the only thing that stops her is her sickness. She is more confident and aware of life than Cat. Breathing and breath played a very important role within this novel. Maya has a hard time breathing with her CF, but she is still willing to lend some of her limited breath to the ghosts, so they can speak and she can ask them questions. Cat suffers from anxiety and needs to remember to take calming breaths. Quite a few times the sisters help each other to breathe (Cat running with a sick Maya, Maya helping Cat to breathe during anxiety attacks). This really highlights their love for each other, their sisterly bond, as though they are sharing this life force. The timeline breaks in the novel (papel picado) are beautiful and I loved that it takes place within the fall (my favourite season). The girls celebrate both Halloween and Dia de los Muertos, both celebrations have tons of colour, laughter, love and fun. Both circle around food and giving, also both embrace neighbours and friendship. A perfect combination for a story all about bonds. The town may be foggy and gray, but the characters are vibrant, colourful, full of life and breath. Each panel was powerful, the story flows well, and the artwork was phenomenal (cartoonish, while also featuring stunning landscapes). I loved that the town was bleak, as was the school, but the homes were always bright and warm. I highly recommend reading this graphic novel! A nod to ones we have lost and those we fear to one day lose.
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