(read on netgalley)
[2.75 stars rounded up to 3 stars]

This was a quick and easy read. I really enjoyed the art style and how cute the drawings were. Story-wise, it isn’t my favourite. I feel like we could’ve gotten more information about the characters and the events that happened. Some parts were just brushed off and we quickly move away from it. Other than that, it was an okay book.

I really liked the art style - but that is nothing new when it comes to graphic novels published by Oni Press. Regardless, it was stunning to look at and my eyes were very, very happy. Another thing I really enjoyed were Marjorie and Wendell - individually. I felt really connected to both and I think as characters they are very well developed. This graphic novel deals with some rather heavy and difficult topics and I think it does it really well in the moments of solitude and misfortune that these characters experience. Both of their introductions (and color palettes) were really, really great.

I started to struggle when these characters engaged with others or with each other. It very much felt like they were orbiting each other but hardly connecting for me. It was not made better by the ending, which was incredibly wholesome and warmed my heart but felt equally incredibly fast and rushed. I definitely wanted more. The change in pacing was jarring and ultimately made me lower my rating just a little bit. Might check out the rest of the series, though, because it truly is beautiful and I'm sure it has spoken (and will speak) to many other people more than me. Still a win in my book.

Marjorie is an eighth grader with a secret cadre of ghostly friends who live in her family’s laundromat, (especially the young ghost Wendell, who is chafing at being stuck in one place). She’s struggling with friendship issues in the social zoo of middle school while trying to keep her big secret. Marjorie encounters Eliza, another 8th grader and social loner who’s repeating the grade, and who is determined to capture pictures of ghosts with her trusty camera, Lorraine, given to her by her grandfather. Over the course of the following months, Marjorie is faced with her family’s struggle to come to terms with her mother’s death, especially her younger brother Owen, who is facing his own set of challenges at a 6 year old just starting school. She also comes to realize the very real issues that Eliza is struggling with, and a friendship gradually blooms. Brenna Thummler sensitively handles many issues related to loss, depression, social anxiety and keeping secrets, through both text and the wonderfully expressive graphics that add many dimensions of feeling. The title of the book is carefully chosen - both the living and the ghosts can be delicate - handle with care. Highly recommended.

This was a very cute but sad comic because it's about a grief-stricken girl dealing with her mom's death, her family's failing laundromat business (dad, she's a child, get your shiz together!) and the hell that is middle school... But what if she made a cute little ghost friend?? I'll be reading the rest of the series!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!

"Sheets" is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel about grief, loneliness and ghosts. It tells the story of Marjorie, who having lost her mother has now to take care of her family laundromat, whole still at school, and Wendell, a ghost in a search of his identity. The washed out pastel palette used by the author helps to emphasise the emotional feel of the book, the girl's struggle to stay afloat despite emotional burden she has to deal with. I loved the idea of presenting ghosts' personalities through their sheet accessories, and a simple concept of a sheet representing an idea of a ghost itself. This is a middle grade book and the concepts of friendship and grief are gently presented, with sprinkling of a humour to offer some respite. A definite must read.

This was a very touching, heartfelt graphic novel. I loved the message it contained about death and the passing of loved ones.

This was so cute. I may have teared up a little bit. I'm excited to read book 2. My kids are going to love this series too. This is exactly what they like.

Sheets tells the story of Marjorie, a 13-year-old who has to deal with way too much for her age, and Wendell, a ghost boy who doesn't feel like he quote fits in in his ghost world. Marjorie deals with feeling invisible and alone, and Wendall is actually invisible (besides his sheet) while also feeling alone. Their friendship starts out rocky, but is lovely! This story is sweet and a little sad, but ultimately satisfying, and it definitely sets up other books! I would be interested to read the others in the series to learn more about Wendell's history. The illustrations weren't my favorite (just not my style, which is obviously completely subjective) but this is definitely a graphic novel I want for my classroom!

I finally read this and I'm so happy! This was such a sweet, quick, and quirky read! I absolutely loved the characters, color palette, and illustrations. The storyline was so good. I finally understand why this graphic novel is so hyped.

This is cute!

For starters I love the graphics, I think they are very well done.

I too hate laundry!!

I felt the main characters sadness through the scenes about her mom and dad. Her dad basically being a "ghost" and having to raise her sibling.

Wendell made me giggle, his how I died story was very unique. Their meeting and relationship formed was cute.

I don't usually read graphic novels.

- [ ] After the death of her mother, Marjorie is left with a broken father. She cares for her little brother, runs the home, and runs the family’s laundry business. Marjorie doesn’t believe in ghosts, but when a ghost stumbles into her family’s laundromat and starts wrecking havoc, Marjorie goes to investigate and meets Windell. Windell is a misunderstood little ghostie. After Marjorie accuses him of breaking in (as a human) covered in a sheet he starts to explain where he used to live and some facts about him. Marjorie realizes she knew him when he was alive. After an unfortunate chain of events, Windell’s “help” puts Marjorie’s family’s business on the line. Wendell has to find a way to help Majorie, and with a little help from his ghost friends, he’s going to find a way to help Marjorie with more than just laundry!

A touching middle-grade graphic novel that deals with themes of loneliness, grief, and the power of friendship. "Sheets" is beautifully illustrated, and the colour scheme of pinks and blues works to convey a sense of melancholy with a bit of hope mixed in.

The story revolves around Marjorie, a young girl who finds herself burdened with the responsibility of managing her family's failing laundromat after her mother's death and her father's subsequent deep depression. As she struggles to keep the business afloat, Marjorie must also contend with the relentless pressure from her classmates and the uncaring owner of a nearby mega-corporation, who is determined to shut down her family's only source of revenue and shelter.

While it is a middle-grade book, "Sheets" is a graphic novel that will resonate with readers of all ages, and will connect with people because of it's display of the power of human connection. This is an excellent debut, and I hope that there is a Sheets, #2.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute story about grief, and actepting deadt is a part of life. whit beautifull illustrations.

This is so adorable and I loved every minute. I have been wanting to read these for ages and am so glad I did. I love the story and the cute little twists at the end. Sheets is about accepting yourself and understanding what you've got may not be exactly what it seems.

Sheets is a lovely middle grade graphic novel about loneliness, grief, and friendship. The art added so much to the story, and it was a book that felt like a hug in the end. While there are some heavy themes around death, it would be a great book to read with middle grade readers with lots to talk about. Wonderful characters and thoughtful storytelling. Thank you to Netgalley and Oni Press for access to the ebook.

Well this was an interesting read. It gave me all the feels when I read it.

It feels at some points semi-autobiographical as weird as that sounds but if you read it, you will know what I mean.

Metaphorical use of being a ghost was clever. Now to find books 2 and 3.

The "kiddo" is cute.

This was the first manga type book I’ve read. It wasn’t really my cup of tea. It was a sweet ending and showed the MC ending up happy but it was a sad story…realistic…but sad. It was a reminder to hold those closest to us right because tomorrow isn’t a guarantee. Illustrated well.

the illustration are soo vibrant and just amazing! highly recommend it if you are in for something wholesome and short 💖

I've had this book on my TBR for a while due to the cover alone. When I saw that it was on Netgalley, I absolutely jumped at the chance to read it and I am so happy that I finally did. I love everything about the art from the style to the coloring. I spent the entirety of it wanting to wrap Marjorie in a hug. I liked Wendell, he was just trying his best and I am super happy that everything ended on a better note.

The synopsis of this graphic novel grabbed me, and I'm glad to have given it a whirl, with thanks to Netgalley. There is deep loneliness in this story, with Majorie trying to adjust to life following the bereavement of her mother, and living with a dad who seems to be disappearing before her eyes, all while having to take care of both her younger brother, and the family business. Then we have Wendell who is struggling to adapt to his new ghostly existence. The story and illustrations give a real sense of how seperate the two are from their own worlds.

I feel this book could be used powerfully in helping adults and children consider the role and impact of being a young career.

All that said, sadly I found the overall experience a little lacking. At times I felt the pacing could have been better, with a slow start and very rapid conclusion. I also found some panels confusing, and the plot felt clunky. This does not take away from the fact that at its heart this is a heartwarming tale about the power of friendship.