Ghostopolis: 06/20/11

Ghostopolis by Doug TenNapel, a tween graphic novel was on my wishlist but I read it early when it was shortlisted for the Cybils.

Garth Hale is a critically ill boy, pulled accidentally into the afterlife by a ghost wrangler named Frank Gallows. Like Danny Fenton, Garth now finds himself having some ghostly powers, except he's stuck and doesn't know how to get home. He also doesn't know for sure that he wants to go home since he's probably dying anyway.

So like The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Garth has to go to the central city, Ghostopolis to hopefully find the help he needs to go home. Along the way he befriends the bones of a horse, a boy who claims to be his grandfather and ultimately the man who accidentally sent him here.

Ghostopolis has great graphics. They're colorful and surreal and sometimes absurd. There's a logic to how the afterlife works and political divisions, a corrupt government and uneasy truces.

It's a good book for tweens who enjoy Gothic horror, ghost stories and time travel.

Four stars.

Comments (6)

Comment #1: Sunday, June, 26, 2011 at 23:50:13

MarthaE

You read such different books. Guess having young ones in the house effects that. :-)

Comment #2: Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 22:04:35

Pussreboots

I read the picture books mostly because of my daughter. My son now is moving into middle grade books and graphic novels. Ghostopolis though I read as a judge for the Cybils this year.

Comment #3: Thursday, September, 8, 2011 at 12:20:28

Ann

Hi Puss,
I love your reviews! They are a great source for me when purchasing books for my grandchildren. My grandson loved Ghostopolis! Thanks so much for sharing.

Comment #4: Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 16:09:22

Pussreboots

I'm glad to hear it! Has he tried the Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi? It's a great age appropriate fantasy series done as graphic novels. The first book is The Stonekeeper.

Comment #5: Monday, September, 12, 2011 at 15:14:31

Ann

Hi Sarah, Just shot my grandson an email about The Amulet series and Stonekeeper to see if he has read them! Thank you so much for the answer to my comment. Now I can converse with them on things they really love instead of fishing around for a topic that interests them!

Comment #6: Friday, September 16, 2011 at 22:25:51

Pussreboots

If he is reading them, the newest book was just released. I also posted a review of the third book, which was published last year.