My son enjoyed this book a lot, he enjoyed the character and the illustrations. He is the target audience for this book, so his 5 star rating is the rating I’m using.

Adèle lives in Montreal with her older sister Helen and her grandmother, who runs a small shop. Over winter break, she hopes to spend some time at the library, reading, but when she gets her first period, she finds that she has inherited the ability to see ghosts. Her grandmother has gone to a lot of trouble to NOT interact with the spirit world, so isn't much help, but Adèle does work with one ghost who doesn't want his grandson to sell his house to a wily developer who is trying to ruin the neighborhood. Since the grandmother is also involved in such an endeavor, she is a little more interested in helping Adèle with her new abilities, especially when an especially evil ghost, a soul eater, is on the loose, causing damage in the real world.

Fans of Escabasse's Witches of Brooklyn series will enjoy this one, and will readers who enjoyed Steinkellnerr's The Okay Witch, Paramore's Malcolm Kid and the Perfect Song, or Mandanna and Ballesteros' Jupiter Nettle and the Seven Schools of Magic. I really like Escabasse's illustration style, and this will get a lot of love for the period positivity and fighting against gentrification.

4.5/5

I adored this book. If you like the idea of ghosts and mediums that can see them, and you want a children’s book of it this book is for you.

Adele can see ghosts but didn’t know it runs in her family. She meets some ghosts and there are some issues in the human realm that will affect the ghost realm if not dealt with. Because Adele can see the ghosts, they ask for her help. I don’t want to ruin it from there, but this book was not only a cute story but also just so well written and drawn.

I want more from this author and can’t wait to see what future graphic novels are in store.

Welcome Back!

I can not believe we are already in June! I feel like I have read several great books this year and DNF’d a few as well. I am hoping to reach my Goodreads goal this year but if not that is totally okay (I have talked about this some before but my Goodreads goal is a personal challenge for myself and if I do not reach it that is totally okay). I am currently trying to decide what graphic novel or manga I want to pick up next as I just recently finished two! One of them is Taxi Ghost (thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions).

SPOILERS AHEAD

Adèle is looking forward to a break from school where she can curl up read some awesome books, make several trips to the library, hang out with her family, and just relax. However, her plans definitely do not work out when one morning she catches a ride with her sister and hears something or someone in the car. Her sister swears she sees and hears nothing but Adèle feels different. She knows she heard something but they continue their drive. When they arrive at the house of the woman her sister has to work with for the day, Adèle goes inside with her sister and that is when she sees a ghost. She faints and her sister rushes her home where she learns that some people in their family can see ghosts and one of those people is her grandmother. Adèle and her sister live with their grandmother but she has zero interest in talking about seeing ghosts. Since Adèle’s sister does not have the ability she is kind of on her own here. Adèle has to make a choice she can learn from her grandmother and ignore all the ghosts or she can talk to them and see what they want?

I absolutely loved this graphic novel. The characters, the setting, and the plot all caught and kept my attention. I really enjoyed the illustrations as well, the colors were vibrant and I loved seeing the winter environment. The author also has a great note at the start of the graphic novel about where the inspiration came from for this book and I know think about this every time I get into a car. I definitely recommend giving this graphic novel a try when it comes out on September 3rd.

Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars

***Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC!

This was such a lovely little book. It has everything you could possibly want in a story: mediums, cats, ancient ghosts, hacking, libraries, and even period parties. Add in charming graphics, and you get this absolutely fantastic story.

I loved the family dynamics in this, especially the relationship between Adèle and her sister. I think fans of Shannon Hale and Raina Telgemeier will adore this charming, heartwarming story! I know I certainly did.

Holy cow this was an amazing graphic novel. I loved it from start to finish. I hope that the author writes more in this series.

I very much enjoyed how Adèle interacted with the assorted New York ghosts and with her family. Also much enthusiasm for pragmatic celebration of the start of Adèle's period. As usual with Sophie's work, I was uncertain of how the story would proceed, which is always a delight to this long-time reader.

Adele's winter is interrupted by two rites of passage - her first period and learning that she's from a long line of mediums. Adele's changing body brings disembodied spirits to her door and sister's car. Adele reluctantly agrees to help a ghost who wants to stop gentrification and a ghost-devouring spirit. An adorable middle grade graphic novel about a unique puberty experience.

Every graphic novel from this author/illustrator is like a gift from heaven. I really hope that this is one with series potential. I absolutely adore the characters and I would like to see more of the main character being a medium and helping ghosts fix their problems and cross over.

This was fun and unique. A girl has her first period and learns that she can see ghosts. She is what her family calls a medium and not everybody in her family has this special ability. She starts seeing ghosts in various places, makes friends with them, and helps solve a problem. This book looks both at family, at gentrification of neighborhoods, and how time changes. That’ll be checked out by kids for years to come.

From the author of Witches of Brooklyn comes another supernatural graphic novel. While there may be similar elements, the characters, setting, and plot feel unique enough that the novel doesn't come across as a watered-down version of her popular series. In fact, this book feels like it is geared older than her other series, though I would not have reservations about ordering it for my elementary school library.

Adèle discovers that she can hear and see ghosts one morning. However, this is not unusual as it runs in her family, and her grandmother also possesses this gift. A ghost always hangs outside their home, and he needs her help. His grandson plans to sell his home to unscrupulous dealers who intend to renovate the neighborhood, which means that the ghosts won't have a place to call home anymore. Adèle takes it upon herself to save the ghosts from being displaced due to the town's renovation.

This book thoroughly entertained me! The story follows a young girl named Adèle who discovers that she comes from a long line of mediums after she gets her first period. What's more, she also gains the ability to see ghosts!
What I loved about this book was how it dealt with serious topics such as menstruation, family lineage, and even death with a light and humorous touch. The illustrations were lovely and helped bring the story and characters to life.
I also appreciated how the book highlighted the importance of compassion and community, as Adèle helps the ghosts she encounters with their problems. It's always great to see a strong protagonist willing to help others, even if it means facing some challenges. However, Adèle's grandmother provides an interesting contrast to her character. While her views on ghosts may have been frustrating, it's understandable that she may have had some negative experiences with them.
The variety of ghosts has been fascinating to read about. It's always interesting to see how different authors portray supernatural beings; this book created unique, memorable characters.

Overall, Taxi Ghost is a heartwarming and funny graphic novel that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys an excellent coming-of-age story with a paranormal twist. The themes of friendship, self-discovery, and overcoming obstacles are universal, making this a book anyone can enjoy.

I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It’s winter break, and all Adele wants to do is visit the library and read all day. But when she begins her period, she learns (by surprise) that she’s from a long line of mediums in her family. The ghosts need Adele to help them move on, and Adele agrees. All the While, her grandma is fighting against a corporation that wants to buy their neighborhoods and create a new real estate. Can Adele do everything and still have time for winter break?
From the author/illustrator of the Witches of Brooklyn series, this standalone graphic novel is as funny as it is fun. Adele hits puberty but also can see ghosts all on the same day. Trouble is brewing in the local neighborhood, ghosts are becoming violent, and all Adele wants is to read. Sophie Escabasse does another fantastic job at creating the magical and the mayhem of New York, ghosts and all.

** Publishes on August 2
From the Publisher:
In this hilarious and heartwarming graphic novel, a young girl's first period brings an unexpected gift: the ability to see ghosts! As she meets these spectral visitors, she uncovers her family's secret lineage of mediums, while learning about the power of compassion and community.

Adèle just wants to spend her winter break at the library, cozied up with her favorite books, and completely forgetting abut her friends who are all traveling to warmer climates. Unfortunately, life has other plans...not only does Adèle get her first period...but she learns she comes from a long line of mediums!

And if seeing ghosts wasn't enough of a surprise, Adèle learns that not only can she interact with them, but apparently, they've been using her sister's car to get around the city for years! When the ghosts won't leave her alone Adèle starts to get to know about them and their problems. Maybe helping them out will be just what she needs for an exciting winter break!

From Sophie Escabasse, the author of the beloved Witches of Brooklyn, comes a brilliant graphic novel that explores growing up and the importance of standing up for what you believe in.

My Thoughts:
What a shock when Adèle gets her first period and can suddenly see and talk to ghosts. In addition, once these neighborhood ghosts figure out that she can see, hear and talk to them, she starts getting ghosts stalking her. That seems scary to have a ghost out in the snow outside your New York apartment waiting for you, but for Adèle, once she gets over the freak out, she learns so much about these people that have always been in her neighborhood.

She soon finds out that this ability to see and talk to ghosts is a gift in her family that seems to skip women, but always comes with the first menses cycle. Her older sister does not have the gift, so she can only join her quest vicariously through seemingly one sided conversations.

There is so much in here that I cannot talk about, but as I'm reading, those scenes still make me smile. The title has to do with the ghosts in her neighborhood putting a ghost mark on people's car so that when they want to go from one place to another, they know which car is going near their "home." That is how Adèle lets her sister know that she has been a Taxi for neighborhood ghosts. Hilarious.

The other funny scene is when Adèle learns that ghosts have a hard time in the NY snow (unless they are very old), so when she wants to take a ghost somewhere (like her cute library friend), she drags a flattened cardboard behind her and the ghost rides along while others think she is just a girl dragging a cardboard sled behind her.

This is not a book that I would use in whole class activities, however, this is a great book to have in your classroom library for silent independent reading. It is approachable, but it is also complex with both seriousness (gentrification, social justice) as well as levity and spirituality.

Follow this with:
There really is no story like this, but if you look at this as a kind of coming of age story, I would suggest the following. There is no really good fit, so I am looking more at the age level and the use of both social commentary and humor.
Turtles in Paradise a Graphic Novel by Jennifer L. Holm. Taking place in Key West, Floriday in 1935, Turtle, the main character, is a spunky and convincing liar who finds adventure as a member of the "Diaper Gang."
Girl on Fire graphic novel by Alicia Keyes. 14 year old Lolo goes through two disturbing incidents in the neighborhood which triggers her superpower abilities. She tries to keep her powers secret, but the local drug dealer wants to use her as a weapon for his crew.
Sheets by Brenna Thummler. This one is a little more emotional, but it is lovely. Read the review. I cannot do it justice here.
Publication Information:
Author: Sophie Escabasse
Publisher: Random House Graphics (September 3, 2024)
Paperback: 224 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0593565971
Grade level: 3-7

My students are big Witches of Brooklyn fans, so I think they're going to love this Montreal-set story about Adele who begins to see and communicate with ghosts upon the advent of her first period (props to the author for throwing Adele a period party to celebrate!). The art is vivid and dynamic and themes of family, friendship, and community resonate throughout as ghosts and living alike team up to battle neighborhood gentrification. I do hope this becomes a series! I'll certainly be purchasing it to have as a highlight of the new book shelf in September.

Many thanks to the creator, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

A cute, good-hearted book with an interesting take on ghosts and fun, colorful art. I like the heroine: Adèle is snarky but well-meaning and very practical about her new ghost-seeing abilities. The wintry Montreal setting is fun, and it creates an obstacle for the ghosts, who do not like traveling through snow. Because Adèle gets her ability to see and talk to ghosts at the onset of her period, we also see her figuring out things like period underwear (and her family throwing her a "period party" - very cute).

My full review can be found at No Flying No Tights.

I think this one was very cute! Girl who sees ghosts and helps them? Great trope! I loved, loved, loved the period party mention - normalizing menstruation for young girls is a must! The illustrations were cute and I think the theme of community throughout was a nice touch.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really liked it, stuck with me & would recommend
I love this concept and this was so cute and thoughtful. Adele gains the ability to see and talk to ghosts with her first period, much like some of her ancestors. This is a multi generational story, with cultural elements, and civic minded with gentrification conflict.

I liked the artwork which was bright and bold. I also liked how the ghosts were differentiated in their depiction.

Thank you to Random House Children’s, NetGalley, and author Sophie Escabasse for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review. Taxi Ghost is out September 3, 2023.

This is enormous fun that is certain to get readers questioning who is in the backseat. The ending is rather abrupt and oversimplified, but it makes the reader wish for more!

Another cute middle grade graphic novel fro.m the author of Witches of Brooklyn. On the day Adele gets her first period, she learns is a medium who can see ghosts. She isn’t sure she wants to help the ghosts, but they figure out ways to help each other.