Ghosts: A Graphic Novel

What is the importance of Discovering One’s Heritage in the story? How do Cat and Maya begin to discover their Mexican heritage upon moving to Bahia de la Luna, and how does each sister react to this journey of self-discovery?

Cat shows strong resistance to the town, the ghosts, and Carlos early in the graphic novel. Why does Cat act out in this way, and what changes to allow her to mature and grow stronger?

Telgemeier employs a mix of classic comic-style artistic techniques and her own unique style. How do Telgemeier’s illustrations, use of paneling, and text placement help illuminate the story’s plot, characters, setting, and tone?

José is an eight-year-old spirit who seems to be livelier and more optimistic than many of his living counterparts. Why is José integral to Cat and Maya’s healing, and what does he represent about Maya’s future?

Maya has CF, and nobody is sure how long she will live. What does Cat mean when she tells the spirit, “Maya’s not ready!! Neither am I” (124-26)? How does Cat interpret the presence of the spirits at first, and how does Maya interpret them differently?

Foreshadowing is a prominent plot device in the story. When and how does Telgemeier employ foreshadowing, and what do these instances imply about the story’s conclusion?

Through her graphic novel, Telgemeier confronts an important and difficult topic: the reality that some people die young. Does Telgemeier explore this dark fact of life effectively? Why or why not?

The story is structured over three months: August, September, and October. It concludes with almost half of the story being dedicated to one night: Halloween. Why did Telgemeier organize the plot’s development this way, and what is the special significance of Halloween night to the plot and cultural context?