On Starlit Shores

Gr 8 Up–Alex has not been to Indigo Harbor, the seaside village where she grew up, in years following the unexpected death of her grandmother. Now as a teen, she returns to say goodbye alongside her best friend, Grim. The longer she spends there, exploring the town and looking through her grandmother’s belongings, the more she starts to see that not everything is as it seems. As she uncovers a great secret, she works to grieve and accept the sudden passing. Filled with dynamic illustrations and complex characters, and of course, a cute cat, Glendining’s graphic novel soars. This is a beautiful read that explores family bonds and grief and is filled with incredibly detailed background scenery. The dialogue is a standout feature of the book, and the discussion of grief within a fantasy setting is reminiscent of the manga series “Fruits Basket.” At the same time, the artwork, and specifically the amount of background detail, is similar to Iléana Surducan’s The Lost Sunday. Alex is Black. Grim is Asian.