Publisher Description

For as long as she can remember, Chelsea Grant has tried everything she can think of to distance herself from the disastrous damage her father does to her social life. It's not easy to shake her reputation as Ghost Girl when Dad keeps advertising his business as a "paranormal removal expert" in big, bold, loud letters all over New Orleans!

This year, Chelsea's all grown up, attending one of the most prestigious high schools in the city, and she's finally made friends with the popular crowd. Things are looking up—until a night on the town backfires spectacularly, landing her in hot water at home. Her punishment Working for her dad at Paranormal Removal Services. All. Summer.

Worst of all, her new job reveals an unexpected secret she has to keep: While Dad hunts ghosts with his own DIY tech, Chelsea can actually see them. And when she meets Oliver, a friendly spirit, at the fancy mansion her dad is getting a handsome fee to exorcize, she realizes she has to save his after-life, even if it risks everything her father's worked for.

Review

"In the vein of Octavia Butler's Kindred and boasting the fun of Ghostbusters, the Gibbs sisters invoke New Orleans mysticism to shed light on the city's history. [The] vibrant, beaming color palette keep spirits—and suspense—high." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)"Well-paced. Lively and expressive manga-style illustrations. A fresh and charming modern Southern ghost story." — Kirkus Reviews"Visually appealing. Vivid coloring… Chelsea is a terrific protagonist, memorable in her balance of empathy and drama, but the ghosts are the stars here, mysterious, vulnerable, and each carrying their stories that no one (until Chelsea) can hear." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"Not only a visual delight, it's a wonderfully executed remix of the Classic Southern Gothic ghost story… A fresh take on a tried and true genre… Beautiful, romantic, exciting, and essential." — John Jennings, #1 New York Times bestselling, Eisner Award-winning illustrator of Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation"Mysterious, magical, and marvelous, Ghost Roast is an unputdownable adventure about the things that haunt us in high school—first love, family secrets, and making friends….with dead people. Most original graphic novel I've read in…forever."  — Kwame Alexander, #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Crossover"Bursting with humor and charm… An observant, page-turning tale of teenage identity, historical intrigue, and paranormal romance. It is sharp, funny, and nuanced… Equal measures fun and thoughtful, a book I could recommend to just about everyone." — Jen Wang, New York Times bestselling, Eisner Award-winning creator of The Prince and the Dressmaker"Mysterious history, tangled family secrets, friendship anxiety, and a handsome ghost boy build a lovely story from the Gibbs sisters. Emily Cannon's artwork is immensely appealing and will pull readers right into Chelsea and Oliver's world." — Molly Knox Ostertag, New York Times bestselling creator of the Witch Boy trilogy"An end-to-end must-read that… captures the essence of being a teen... One of those books that seems to cast a spell on your fingers and make them keep flipping the pages." — Zaila Avant-Garde, New York Times bestselling author of It's Not Bragging If It's True"A perfect blend of suspense and captivating characters. Seriously, I couldn't put it down! …Shawneé and Shawnelle Gibbs's masterful storytelling and Emily Cannon's mesmerizing illustrations… transport readers into a world where the weight of history shapes the present." — Reggie Brown, New York Times bestselling illustrator of Who Are Your People?"For the history buff, the paranormal adventure seeker, and the romantic at heart. So sweet and so fun!" — Robyn Smith, Eisner-nominated illustrator of Nubia: Real One and Wash Day Diaries"An instant classic in its own right. Readers will appreciate the intention and care put into the colorful cast of characters and the story's setting… A visual feast of storytelling." — Stephanie Williams, author of Nubia & the Amazons and Nubia: Queen of the Amazons"A cozy, ghostly tale full of mystery, history, and heart." — Nilah Magruder, Dwayne McDuffie Award-winning creator of MFK and writer of the Marvel Rising (2019) series"Ghost Roast reels you into this fantastical story about the paranormal, family, and friendships. While the supernatural story serves as an entertaining backdrop… the core plot about the father-daughter relationship is the anchor that keeps you engaged." — Jamie Broadnax, Founder of Black Girl Nerds

Prizes

Winner of NAACP Image Award (United States).
Winner of Harvey Award (United States).

Details