Book 252 of 350 ~ 2025

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Gracie's ghost died not caring about things so as a way to improve her karma I guess she becomes Gracie's 'guardian angel' and from the looks of things, only friend.

It sounded like an interesting read.

Then I read it.

It is absolutely disturbing how Gracie's mom clearly has no love for this child. Don't get me started on how she is crazily bullied in school.

I am surprised Gracie hasn't snapped yet..maybe that's why the ghost came along to keep her somewhat sane.

Each chapter though it is a new chapter is just repetition of the bullying and the hate.

Not a fan.

I received a complimentary copy of the ebook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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I wished the story was more developed instead it felt like all the “episodes” told in this book are not well connected. There’s not really an exact plot, apart from the recurring theme of Grace being mistreated by kids at school and by her own mother and being helped by her ghost. If there was some kind of plot I would’ve enjoyed it more for sure. Speaking of, the mother is definitely going through depression but the fact she’s so harsh on her daughter and meanwhile sweet with the son made me feel really upset.
Anyway this book is not bad and I appreciated the ghostly part. Graphically is not bad either: it’s a black and white comic, except for the mid covers through the volume.

I am not sure about this graphic novel. The first thing I am doubtful about is the audience. Who is this intended for? It feels like it's intended for kids at first glance, but the topics covered are incredibly serious. Maybe this is a good graphic novel to use in class, when talking about these serious topics.

For the rating I went back and forth between 2 stars and 3 stars a few times. It feels like it is just short of 3 stars for the following reasons:
- The characters feel a bit flat and very stereotypical
- Except for the E.T. bit we get no indication of which year this is supposed to take place in, something that I find very important seeing the subjects of the graphic novel
- While it is supposed to be a heart warming story, I found it lacking on the warming part. It was a sad story, one that didn't get any emotional closure if you ask me

Everytime something positive happened, something negative was right on the way. Poor Gracie couldn't catch a break. It's basically about a out-cast getting bullied, the brother being favoured by the mom, sexism and other serious & negative subjects. There really was nothing to balance out the negative with the positive.

The art style of this graphic novel was gorgeous though! I absolutely loved that part of the book. I would just have liked a little bit more balance, both in story and in characters.

I thought this may be a cute book following a young girl and her ghost, instead it's a very sad book about a young girl whos life sucks and the ghost doesn't really do much to help at all. This is set in the 80's, so mum is very much in the "you can't have/do that as it is for boys", though dad seemed more open. Gracie is picked on at school, mum pays more attention to her younger brother and things are just very glum. If you're after something fun and lighthearted, this is NOT the book for you. I would even say this should be aimed at teens or older.

This is such a sad book showing how little poor Gracie was seen by anyone including those in her family. But it is also an honest look at a family. One that wants to make sure everything is fair. I felt so bad when her mother took away her castle. Having a safe place is so important. This book is touching and I loved the ghost because they added levity, gave support, and guidance when Gracie needed it. This is beautifully drawn and while some of the storyline is sad it is a fun book that readers I think will resonate with depending on when they grew up.

Thank you to Image Comics and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

First things first, this story is not for kids. It’s not the type of book I’d give to a child.
THIS IS NOT A CUTESY BOOK!!
I started this with an expectation of one but it was one of the saddest, most heartbreaking children’s books I ever read. Gracie - our main protagonist, is a little girl bullied in school AND at home. She has a ghost guardian who follows her around and doesn’t really do anything. Gracie is getting bullied by mom. She doesn’t talk to her or her dad about her problems or feelings. She keeps everything inside her and does that until the end of the book.
If you’re looking for a book with good moral (or any moral), look somewhere else. This book doesn’t teach anything good.

Thank you Image Comics and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this book. This is a peculiar story, made from multiple chapters that show us glimpses into a girl’s life where nothing goes right and a friendly ghost who is trying to help. I liked that the story is told from the ghost’s point of view as a flashback and is drawn in black and white to visually support the writing choice. Such a unique angle to tell a story! Definitely a thoughtful read.

Gracie's Ghost was ... hard to get through; from it's black and white form to it's story line that is difficult to digest.

I'm not sure if kids would find this appealing ... it's pretty emotionally complex and overall bleak. There is an ounce of hope in the ghost that befriends Gracie, but that's about it.

I was left feeling a bit worse for wear after reading this one.

This book is about a little girl called Gracie who is abandoned by her mother and is also often bullied at school. There is a guardian ghost assigned to her who is with her always and remains her friend. And through all the struggles of her late childhood to teen, tween years this ghost is by her side. Though this is looks like a kids book it holds a lot more value and depth which made it a little heavy on content for kids.

I read a simple graphic novel for over a month, when I can usually finish them in a day.

I don't really know if it was the setting, the plot or the flow of the story, I was not really hooked into the story. I finally finished it today after spending a lot of time on it and it was a hard job.

Pretty powerful graphic novel about bullying, being treated unfairly by a parent, and a reminder about how creepy clowns are. I feel like the subject matter is pretty heavy for some kids, but nothing they can't handle. I felt deeply for Gracie throughout. Though, I was hoping for a better ending or some redemption or a change in character, but never really got it.

It is a refreshing story with strong undertone. The book has atmospheric eerie appeal and the tension buildup is immersive.
The art style, minimalist and expressive, mirrors the story’s restraint. Small visual cues — a glance, a shadow, an empty chair — do more emotional work than pages of dialogue ever could. There’s a kind of visual poetry at play, one that leaves room for readers to pause and feel alongside Gracie.
I really enjoyed it till the very last page.

Gracie is a little girl who likes Spider-Man and castles made from cardboard boxes. She is treated badly at school and treated unfairly at home. But she has a ghost friend who try to help.

This was a cute and sad read!

This was A LOT more miserable than I was expecting. Her mam is horrible to her; the kids at school are terrible; her teachers are the worst. I’m glad she has her ghost and her dad. Poor Gracie. I did enjoy this; it’s just really saddening and maddening.

I enjoyed this graphic novel, the artwork style was simple and appealing, while the story was engaging enough. Following Gracie, and her ghost, this story talks about perseverance through setbacks and managing unfortunately common school problems.
I also gave this book to my 12yo to read, their feedback - The ghost is portrayed in a very good way and the plot is great and funny in places, overall a great book. .

This was an intreasting book maybe not for me specifically, but it was cool and i liked the art style as it was very original and great for kids.

Book Title: Gracie’s Ghost
Author: Dawn Brown
Genre / Age Range: Paranormal mystery / Older middle grade (ages 10–13)
Read-Aloud or Independent Read: Independent read (or read-aloud with discussion)

What My Young Readers Thought
Ages: 8 and 10
Favorite part: The spooky mystery and unraveling what happened with the ghost—especially for the 10-year-old.
What made them laugh (or gasp or cry): Some of the creepy scenes and the ghostly moments brought gasps, and the 8-year-old was unsettled by the bad parenting and heavier themes.
What stuck with them after reading: The emotional core—how Gracie was struggling and how she found strength, even without great support.
Would they read a sequel or recommend it to friends? The 10-year-old would recommend it to kids who like ghost stories and mysteries. The 8-year-old needed support while reading it.

What I Thought as a Parent
Quality of writing and storytelling: Strong and compelling, with an eerie tone and emotional depth.
Themes or topics worth discussing: Neglect, emotional resilience, friendship, and the idea of being seen or heard.
Content notes (if any): Depictions of poor parenting, emotional neglect, grief, and a haunting—definitely better suited for older or more emotionally mature readers.
Educational or emotional value: Meaningful, especially in how it shows a child navigating trauma and forming connections.
What I appreciated most: That it doesn’t shy away from harder realities, but also models perseverance and emotional growth.

Quick Impressions
Fun and engagement: High for the older reader; mixed for the younger
Writing quality: Strong and atmospheric
Relatability and themes: Relatable for kids who have ever felt unseen or misunderstood, but emotionally intense
Age appropriateness: Best for ages 10+ due to themes and tone
Re-readability: Possibly for the 10-year-old; the 8-year-old found it a one-time experience

Would We Recommend It?
Overall impression: Yes, with a note that it’s best for upper middle grade readers who are ready for darker or more emotionally charged themes.
Who we think would enjoy it: Kids who like ghost stories with heart, readers drawn to emotional journeys, and fans of Coraline or The Graveyard Book.
Best time or setting to read it: Cozy mystery season, a rainy weekend, or with a trusted adult to process together
Perfect for fans of: Mary Downing Hahn, Lindsay Currie

While this book is marketed to an upper elementary market, I do not think it would do well in a elementary school. It has some curse words, but in particular the scene where Gracie sprouts breast buds and her classmates chant "tits" at her makes it better for an older market.

Gracie's Ghost is a heartwarming graphic novel about Gracie and her guardian ghost. Gracie doesn't seem to fit in at school or home. Gracie tries her best, but it seems the world keeps knocking her down. Gracie keeps getting up, dusting herself off, and tries again.
A must-have to add to your graphic novel collection.

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I was received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF @ 15%

Compromised of lots of short comic strips that follow an outcast kid and her ghost friend, this collection seems like it's aiming for some kind of Calvin & Hobbs all ages appeal, but it really missed the mark for me.

Between the portrayal of bullying, the stereotypically awful mother, and idealised father, this was just unpleasant to read that particular prodded my C-PTSD triggers and provided nothing that made me wish to continue.

Your mileage may vary.