SO NOT GHOUL

A young ghost finds her spooky flair.

Mimi isn’t looking forward to her first day of haunting a new school. Per all the proverbs and rules for “good Chinese girl ghosts” that her ancestors preach, Mimi is dressed and styled quite traditionally, wearing “old Chinese gowns from her great-great-great-great-great-ghost-grandmother.” Her family doesn’t want her to emulate American ghosts. But “Mimi is American—Chinese American.” And the traditional “haunt couture” touted by her ancestors is “SO NOT GHOUL!” At school, Mimi feels she doesn’t fit in with her ghoulmates, who cruelly taunt her. How can Mimi be a fearsome and horrifying ghost if she sticks out? Full of ghostly puns, this is a playful look at identity, culture, and new-student blues. Though the narrative and antagonism between characters are resolved a little too neatly, readers will root for Mimi as she embraces her bicultural identity in her own way. She contradicts the idea that “good Chinese girl ghosts are not permitted to show their feelings” by loudly standing up for herself and against dominant norms by finding confidence in her ancestral gowns. Her family applauds in pride, and her ghoulmates are inspired to broaden their views. Lui’s digital illustrations are full of textures and layers, adding to the otherworldly motif. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A fun, ghostly spin on trading blending in for standing out.