This is Raina Telgemeier doing what she does best—taking real, hard stuff kids face and making it digestible through comics. The story of Cat and Maya is genuinely moving, and the cystic fibrosis representation matters.
But let's be real: this is a book about a kid who's probably going to die young. It's not morbid or scary, but it's sad. Some kids will find it cathartic and beautiful; others will just find it depressing. Know your kid.
The ghost element and Day of the Dead setting soften the blow, though some critics argue Telgemeier oversimplifies the cultural aspects. The reviews are mixed—fans love the emotional depth, but even superfans admit it's not her strongest work. Less funny than Smile, less dramatic than Drama.
Still, if your kid is ready to process big feelings about illness and death, this is a solid entry point. Just maybe don't hand it to a kid whose grandma just died without a heads-up.






