Sheet’s a lovely but quite sad graphic novel following a young Marjorie who after her mother’s death is left to handle the family laundry business, taking care of the family and dealing with school. At the same time she’s dealing with her own grief. She encounters a ghost named Wendell who has his own things troubling him, but through friendship they navigate their way through grief and difficulties.

There was a lot of grief in this book, affecting the family members in different ways, showing especially how it affected every aspect of Marjorie’s life and her interactions with others. As I read it, I wished the adults around her would step in and help in a better way, but it’s true that a lot of adults don’t know themselves how to deal grief and hesitate how be around someone who’s grieving. Following the ghosts in the ghost town was intriguing but a little bit confusing at first, but later on as the two main character’s met, it made sense and the two perspectives came together nicely. The art style was also well fitting for the story. Overall a lovely read about grief and ghosts!

This book has beautiful illustrations and is a lovely read - it's easy to see why this has been loved by so many.

Marjorie was a great character and was easily understandable from the great character expressions which helped portray the friendship with her and Wendell throughout.

Overall a lovely read and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a heart warming read.

Such a great story that touched on some difficult subjects that I think lots of teens can relate too. This one had me all up in the feels!

This is a good first book of a series. There are so many character details and character development. Even though this is a graphic novel, it is very detailed.

A great graphic novel about a young girl and a ghost boy whose lives become intertwined. Really beautiful storytelling and artwork, I was immersed from start to finish.

Sheets tells such a poignant story and message in such a simple way. Grief was dealt with incredibly well. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

One of the best graphic novel series that I have ever read. It was fun, light-hearted and at the same time got really deep. It is a thoughtfully written masterpiece that touches your heart.

Loved this unique story. I’m not sure if I’ll read the sequels or not, but I’d be curious to see more depth to this saga.

Such a cute read. I love the ghosts and the colors used through the story. Beautiful work and imagery used to tell this story!

Esta novela middle grade es muy emotiva y tierna, trata temas bien complejos y todo hecho de una manera muy respetuosa.

Un ambiente melancólico y triste nos presenta la historia de Wendell y Marjorie. Ambos unos preadolescentes que la vida les ha jugado una mala pasada. Pero que deben aprender a superar sus miedos pero no hacerlo solos, y parte de este aprendizaje es pedir ayuda y confiar.

Lo recomiendo mucho, la historia es sencilla, las ilustraciones son bonitas y deja un hermoso mensaje de la importancia de la amistad, la familia, la confianza, el amor, el respeto.

Esta primera parte está en español, en inglés están las dos primeras publicadas, pronto saldrá la tercera parte.

¿Te gustan las movelas gráficas?

Super cute book!

Was fun for my oldest to read! We definitely enjoyed this author and story!

Definitely enjoyed this cute, funny book!

Rating 3.5
A story for middle grade readers struggling with the weight of the world being on their shoulders and an intense sense of loneliness. There were deeply layered themes and messages that were heavy with meaning but still easily digestible for middle grade readers (and for grown-up readers as well). I did struggle following the plot with the separate world of ghosts, I do feel that could have been established a bit more clearly that it was a separate setting but I did eventually catch up and throughly enjoy!

I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. The downfall was that I requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before the book was archived. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it!

Sheets by Brenna Thummler is a beautifully illustrated and heartwarming graphic novel that explores themes of loss, friendship, and the power of determination. The novel follows the story of Marjorie Glatt, a practical thirteen-year-old who is in charge of her family's laundry business, and Wendell, a ghost who lost his life much too young.

The novel is expertly crafted, with stunning artwork and a fast-paced story that keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end. The author does an excellent job of exploring the challenges and struggles that young people face, as well as the power of forgiveness and unlikely friendships.

One of the strengths of Sheets is its exploration of the power of determination and second chances. The novel is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of never giving up, even when all seems lost. The author does an excellent job of portraying the challenges and obstacles that Marjorie and Wendell face, as well as the hope and possibility that comes with forging new friendships and finding new purpose.

Overall, Sheets is a beautifully written and illustrated graphic novel that will appeal to readers of all ages. The novel is a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring appeal of the graphic novel format.

I highly recommend this entire series. It's just such a thought provoking, bittersweet and evocative story. I could relate to a lot of the main character's experience, it's definitely hard going through adolescence, and even more so when you have experienced such a profound loss. Her friendship she creates with the cute little ghost boy is so precious, and so sweet, I love the art as well and found this to be such a great story for discussion, also.

Strong storyline for a graphic novel.
The main characters seems to go through a lot. I thought this was going to be a funny story and was surprised it was not. Wouldn't recommend for anyone under the age of 13.

Sheets is the story of a young girl who is trying to hold her family's lives together after the loss of her mother. It is also the story of a ghost who is trying to find friends and a place to belong. I love the way the two characters grow a friendship, the merging of both worlds, and the approach to the difficult topics presented. The art is enjoyable, the story has a good pace, and I definitely recommend this graphic novel!

"Sheets" by Brenna Thummler is a gem of a comic that really tugs at the heartstrings. It's about Marjorie Glatt, who's running a family laundry business and dealing with all sorts of challenges, including the pesky Mr. Saubertuck. But things take a turn when Wendell, a young ghost, enters the scene. Wendell, essentially just a sheet, brings a unique twist to Marjorie's world. Their adventures in a haunted laundromat? Quirky and heartwarming.

I love how this comic blends the everyday with the supernatural. The beginning might feel a bit gloomy, but it's worth hanging in there. Thummler weaves a tale that's intriguing and touching, capturing the essence of friendship and resilience. The story, a bit odd at times, is where its magic lies. It’s a narrative about hope, second chances, and unexpected friendships. "Sheets" is not just a story; it's an experience that sticks with you.

Marjorie Glatt hates laundry and ghosts. She has been singlehandedly running the family-owned laundromat, Glatt’s Laundry, after the death of her mother a year ago. The 13-year-old loner has also been running the household and taking care of younger brother, Owen, who has just started kindergarten. Her dad is engulfed by grief and spends his days in a haze, and isn’t really present for his kids.

If that trouble isn’t enough, there’s Nigel Saubertuck, an annoying man who wants to open a five-star yoga resort and spa on the Glatt property, and plays all kinds of sneaky tricks to get their business to fail. Such a big load for a young teen to carry!

Meanwhile, Wendell, a young boy who died and is now a ghost and doomed to spend eternity in a sheet is dissatisfied with the afterlife. He returns to the land of the living, and ends up adding to Marjorie’s difficulties. Wendell also wants to find out why people are afraid of ghosts, a mission entrusted to him by a Mr Doornail.

Will Wendell succeed in his mission? Will Marjorie be able to save her laundry from the greedy Nigel?

The story is presented in the first person PoV of Marjorie. The illustrations were lovely. The scenes in Marjorie’s PoV are in colour, pinks and greys and blues, with the occasional leaf green catching our gaze, while those in Wendell’s PoV are in grayscale. The dead plant in the office of the ghost administrator was a nice touch.

The innocence of little Owen shone through. He believes that families are okay if they have a mom, unconsciously admitting that their family isn’t doing well.

One thing I liked about this book was the premise. The author has managed to connect two very different references to sheets in this book. She has also worked in the puns, dye and die, to good effect. Unfortunately, beyond the effect derived from the pun on sheets, the potential wasn’t fulfilled.

There were a number of things that didn’t make any sense. I can understand hating laundry because it’s real, but hating ghosts because they aren’t real made no sense. You might disbelieve in ghosts, but would you hate them?

In the first few pages, we learn that Marjorie’s school, Finster Bay Charter, has recently had an infestation of ghosts. When Wendell is caught in the land of the living, the other ghosts have him arrested for coming here. But the ghosts who were infesting the school weren’t arrested.

The writing was superficial; it needed more detail and depth. I can understand that a graphic novel faces limitations in terms of being able to do justice to too many subplots. But then, in that case, just have one subplot at the most.

There is no real character development for any of the characters. A little more depth would have worked wonders for the plot development. We don’t feel the struggles of the characters or their pain.

For a 13-year-old, it’s unbelievable how Marjorie manages all her challenges without much of a struggle.

One of Marjorie’s classmates is Tessi Waffleton, about whom Marjorie tells us, “Tessi Waffleton always looks like a spring holiday gift basket. But . . . one that you give for revenge or a prank or something, that is sort of pretty but is filled with saw blades and worms.”

With that kind of a description, I expected Tessi and her clique to make life hell for Marjorie. But Tessi wasn’t really a ‘mean girl’; she was just a little too conceited. The subplot revolving around her is given short shrift. Even her Halloween themed school project is never taken to completion.

The subplot involving Saubertuck, the main plot, also concludes suddenly and unconvincingly, not really requiring any courage or intelligence on the part of Marjorie.

But it was the subplot concerning Wendell where the lack of closure left me feeling most disappointed. Why was he so keen on coming to the land of the living? What was the mystery surrounding his death? Was he the same boy who helped Marjorie get out of the maze? What happened to the mission given to Wendell by Mr Doornail?

4.5 ⭐

Adorable! Exactly what I was hoping for! And it was perfect for this time of year - dramatic but light, wholesome and mysterious, and what great illustrations! I can't wait to read the rest of the series. This was such a comfort read; can't get enough!

this was just so cute and wholesome. wendell tugged at my heartstrings. marjorie is a character i will not forget. her name especially because it is so near and dear. I can't wait to pick up the sequels.