The Ghoul Next Door by Cat Farris, Cullen Bunn
Published by HarperAlley on July 13, 2021
ISBN: 0062896105
Pages: 200
Genres: Horror, Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads

“The Ghoul Next Door” is a middle-grade graphic novel written by Cullen Bunn and illustrated by Cat Farris. The story starts out with the main character, Grey, taking a shortcut to school through the local graveyard. He’s carrying his history project: a detailed miniature of the cemetery he is walking through. Unfortunately, he trips and drops his project into a hole in the ground. Before he can recover it, a creepy hand snatches it and drags it further into the tunnel. This is the beginning of Grey’s interactions with a ghoul from the graveyard.

The story is both creepy and funny as Grey befriends the ghoul, Lavinia. Lavinia confronts many mistaken ideas he has about what ghouls actually are (they are not monsters. They are former people and they only eat the dead, not living) and they both show bravery and empathy as they try to save Grey’s friend from the clutches of an evil witch.

The story will keep readers interested in finding out what will happen next as the stakes get higher. The artwork is delightfully colorful and creepy and complements the horror/humor of the book. A suggested purchase for middle-grade graphic novel collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.