Delicates
by Brenna Thummler
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Pub Date 23 Mar 2021 | Archive Date 16 Aug 2023
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Description
Following the events of the bestselling graphic novel, Sheets, Delicates brings Brenna Thummler’s beloved characters, artwork, and charm back to life.
Marjorie Glatt’s life hasn’t been the same ever since she discovered a group of ghosts hiding in her family’s laundromat. Wendell, who died young and now must wander Earth as a ghost with nothing more than a sheet for a body, soon became one of Marjorie’s only friends. But when Marjorie finally gets accepted by the popular kids at school, she begins to worry that if anyone learns about her secret ghost friends, she’ll be labeled as a freak who sees dead people. With Marjorie’s insistence on keeping Wendell’s ghost identity a secret from her new friends, Wendell begins to feel even more invisible than he already is.
Eliza Duncan feels invisible too. She’s an avid photographer, and her zealous interest in finding and photographing ghosts gets her labeled as “different” by all the other kids in school. Constantly feeling on the outside, Eliza begins to feel like a ghost herself. Marjorie must soon come to terms with the price she pays to be accepted by the popular kids. Is it worth losing her friend, Wendell? Is she partially to blame for the bullying Eliza endures?
Delicates tells a powerful story about what it means to fit in, and those left on the outside. It shows what it’s like to feel invisible, and the importance of feeling seen. Above all, it is a story of asking for help when all seems dark, and bringing help and light to those who need it most.
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781620107881 |
PRICE | US$16.99 (USD) |
PAGES | 320 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Delicates is a wonderful sequel to Sheets, possibly even better than the original. The author/artist does a lovely job of conveying the emotions of the characters. Highly recommended.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I read the first book in this series and could not put it down, the sequel was no exception! The art sucks you right in and before you know it, you've read more than 300 pages! You can feel the isolation and loneliness of the main two characters, it eats at you. Can't wait for the next installment.
A brilliantly heartfelt continuation of the sheets series with dear old Wendell and friends helping to save just more than a laundrette this time round.
This is one of the rare cases where I think I liked the sequel more than the original. Marjorie works in her family laundromat and with the help of ghost friends, including young Wendell, she has managed to keep it afloat after her mother's death. This year, she is starting 8th grade and is trying to fit in, but finding her friends might not be the best. We are also introduced to Eliza, who is an 8th loner who is into ghost photography, who is bullied by Marjorie's friends. As the school year presses on, both Marjorie and Eliza will be put to the test as they both learn what it means to fit in.
This was such a powerful story and really got into the meat of middle school bullying. Unlike other books that cover this topic, this book is darker, more full of heart, and ultimately more realistic. I loved the addition of Eliza and I loved how her friendship with Wendell and Marjorie saved her. I was not a big fan of the first one, but I highly recommend this one, even if you haven't read the first. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.
I just want Brenna Thummler to illustrate my life's story once I'm gone, honestly. This book was so beautiful and such a reaffirming read. We follow two girls who are very different but at the core they are the same - they believe in the surreal, in ghosts and that kindness is the strongest power in the universe.
I loved how this not only gave us a sequel to the first installment and brought back the ghosts but also how it tied in to bullying and loss and grief and loneliness, all the topics young adolescents often find themselves faced with even though they don't know how to deal with it yet.
Especially the reaching out part, the fact that you can save someone's life by caring for them and looking after them really made me tear up.
What a wonderful sequel that I would recommend to everyone, whether you have read the first book or not, you will find yourself in these pages for sure.
The perfect blend of uplifting, dark and treacherous times balanced with the good in humanity.
What an incredible follow-up to Sheets. Thrummer does an incredible job of diving into a very sensitive subject and does so with grace. The characters both human and ghost were exceptional.
'A thoughtful look at bullying, peer pressure, grief, family, school and fitting in or being true to yourself. The artwork is wonderfully emotive and the panels featuring the ghosts are always delightful..
This graphic novel, like it's predecessor 'Sheets', should have a place in every school library.
Thank you to Oni press and NetGalley for the ebook review copy.
A absolutely hauntingly heartwarming and touching story. I was so touched by this story and I can’t get over how wonderful it is. Technically a sequel, but can be read as a standalone, Delicates follows Tessi as she is navigating trying to fit into a new friend group and dealing with all the struggles of being a teen. Tessi wants to fit in but her new friends make it hard for her to feel comfortable, all the while there is a new girl in class who is sparking up attention, especially with her determination to capture a ghost on camera. Tessi is juggling both her ghost friends and trying to fit in with kids her own age. The story deals with the difficulties of trying to fit in, bullying, and even mental illness. Everything was so wonderfully handled and truly understandable and relatable. I highly recommend this book and this series!!
* thank you Netgalley and Oni Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
I think I liked this even more than its predecessors, Sheets. The storyline was definitely a bit heavier. Dealt with bullying and mental health among Marjorie and her 8th grade cohort. It's okay to be different and it's okay to not be okay. Sort of on the border between middle grade and YA.
Would definitely recommend.
This was SUCH a spectacular sequel. It was really beautiful. The art was magical, and the story was just so real. It's been a long time since I've been in 8th grade, but I felt it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.
To begin with, I didn't think anything could possibly stand up to Sheets, not even the sequel. But wow, just wow. I've never been hit so hard by a graphic novel until now. Delicates, for a younger audience touches on an incredibly deep topic, which is so, so important. Even from a young age, people have thoughts that they don't want to share with others, that can be potentially life threatening, whether it be from bullying, like in this graphic novel or from any other host of traumas and issues people face. And I think sometimes we forget that young people, younger than we sometimes consider do indeed face intrusive thoughts, and suicidal thoughts and don't always know, or have someone that they trust and someone to talk to. This graphic novel speaks volumes about how important it is to just be kind to people, care for people, let people know that you're there for them. It doesn't take much to just reach out to someone and let them know that you care, and that's all that Eliza needed in this story and that for some people can change their life, even save their life. I am heartbroken that this is a story that needs to be told to children, yet I'm so pleased that it's available in such an accessible, interesting way and that Brenna Thummler has done the most incredible, important job on what can be sensitive subject matter and I'm so glad that it exists.
I am so honored to have received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
If there’s one thing most people can agree on, it’s the fact that middle school is difficult to navigate. So many people go through those years feeling weird, different, left out, and bullied. I know I did.
Delicates perfectly captures the middle school experience and how devastating it can be, whether you're part of the in crowd or not. I’m generally not a crier, but this had me welling up. This is one of those stories that really touches you. And, as always, the artwork is stunning. This is a top-notch graphic novel!
Mind-blowingly good. A deep portrait of what it really is to be an outsider, to be alone—the deepest I’ve seen in a long time. Bullying, peer pressure, casual relentless cruelty, growth, pain—Thummler does all so very well, so delicately. That the bullied girl is Black and genuinely nerdy—geeked out about something no one else seems to care about, no one knows how to react to other than to disavow it—is important. Not only does she not fit in with the whole, she doesn’t fit in with a reductionist idea of “what Black girls are like”. Delicates is one of the best kids’ realistic graphic novels I’ve read to date—second only to Cece Bell’s graphic memoir, El Deafo.
Thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for an ARC!
This was really fantastic. The art is once again beautiful and there is a more interesting and emotional story in this one. I adored Eliza and really related to her being "the wrong kind of weird." Her story is an important one that I think some middle schoolers will see in themselves. I can already think of a couple of my students who would really benefit from reading this one.
This is a fantastic graphic novel that my students will love to read! It has a wonderful storyline about bullying, and great art work. I haven't read the first book, but will definitely do so now! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Brenna Thummler shares a work of beauty in this follow-up to Sheets. We are again carried to a world that is both like and unlike our own, and Thummler explores this visual space with a talent for the art of creating story in words and visuals. I recommend both of these books and will be excited to see where this author’s talent takes us next.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing digital access to a copy of this book for my unbiased review — I can’t wait to get a print copy and share this story with young readers.
Eliza is a ghost photographer, and this fact makes her a target for bullying, especially from the group of popular kids. Marjorie has finally joined the popular kids and if they find out about her ghost friends at her family's laundromat, she'll be called a freak, just like Eliza. And Wendell, Marjorie's ghost friend, feels more and more invisible because Marjorie won't tell her friends about his existence.
Wendell forms a friendship with Eliza, but doesn't let her know he's a ghost. Through Wendell, Marjorie learns that the bullying from the popular kids, and by association, Marjorie, might be pushing Eliza to do something unthinkable.
Brenna Thummler does a wonderful job illustrating the emotions of the characters, as well as showing the subtle behaviors that friends and parents can watch for that might indicate suicidal thoughts, bullying, or depression. I really loved how Marjorie stood up for Eliza, even though it meant risking her place in the popular crowd, she did it anyways. A fabulous follow up to Sheets, and I hope she writes more!
I was surprised by how much I preferred this book when comparing it to Sheets. The illustrations were even more lovely, though continuing the same style, with contemplative pauses in the drawings that allowed for more breathing room. The characters were more dynamic and impactful, and I connected to them much more in this book. While the villain in Sheets felt incredibly cartoonish, the issues explored in Delicates felt real and important. I loved this so much!!
Brenna Thummler is back with another heartfelt, eerie tale of the ghosts who live in a laundromat and the girl who looks after them. Following the events in Sheets, we see follow Marjie as she's navigating friendships and what it means to fit in in middle school. I enjoyed seeing Marjorie and Wendell again in this, but I really connected with our new character Eliza Duncan. Eliza's an avid photographer who doesn't really have friends that aren't the dark room at school. The loneliness that she (and also Wendell) through much of this is visceral and it had me invested in her story from the first page she was on.
This graphic novel confronts what it means to fit in, and the crippling loneliness one can feel when they don't. It asks Marjorie and other characters to confront the choices they've made and decide how they'll move forward, even when those choices hurt others. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series and from Brenna Thummler.
Delicates was a wonderful and heartwarming sequel to Sheets. Sheets has a special place in my heart and delicates was even better. I adored this story. It was powerful, a little bit sad, and definitely heartwarming. The color pallet was gorgeous too. I'll recommend to everyone who wants to read a wholesome story.
What a touching and powerful sequel! Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for feedback.
This story is a sequel to “Sheets” and follows Marjorie, Wendell, and Eliza. Marjorie is starting to fit in with a popular crowd, hangs out with friendly ghosts in her family laundromat, and you learn about another character (Eliza) who feels like a ghost most of the time, but loves to photograph the world around her. This story brings some sensitive subject matter to readers, but it’s a great story that sheds light on helping those who don’t know how to ask for help when they are in need of it. Marjorie gets lost in popularity and knowing who’s a true friend or not; in the end, she figures that all out and helps save another friend along the way. This is a story to pick up and will make you turn page after page until you get to the end and sob/smile because it was a great story!
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review :)
Oh my goodness!! I think I loved Delicates more than I loved Sheets, if that's even possible!!
Thummler has such a beautiful way of telling a story through her absolutely gorgeous artwork - they fully encapsulates the characters and their emotions and manages to make the reader feel absorbed in the story. I really just want to give all the characters a big hug. Especially Wendell <3
Another phenomenal title from Brenna Thummler, only further establishing her place as one of the greatest writers and illustrators out there at the moment. Much like the first installment in the series, DELICATES tenderly explores the many ways there are to be lonely and the impact finding the right person may have. Furthermore, this graphic novel attempts to get at the heart of the ways people may let themselves down once the world has done them wrong one too many times, as well as the ways to pick yourself back you. As heartwarming as it is heartbreaking, I loved every moment of it.
This is the sequel to Sheets. I l adore Sheets and I think I might've loved this one even more. The story is perfectly portrayed through the art. It is just such a beautiful novel with a wonderful message.
This volume continues the story of 8th grader Marjorie, friend to laundromat ghost Wendell, as she struggles to fit in with her sort-of friend group and figure out how to talk to boys. She encounters Eliza, an outcast who spends her time trying to photograph ghosts.
Loved this even more than Sheets, though the first book was also awesome. More, please!
It’s hard to put into words exactly how much I loved this book the illustration style is not only original but is a perfect match for the stories. This book deals with some hard hitting subjects such as bullying and mental health in such a respectful yet impactful way. I really loved Eliza as a character and the glimpses we get into here thoughts throughout the book. Following Marjorie dealing with the grief of losing her mother throughout both books has really touched my heart and although this was not the main plot of this book I liked how it was still an ongoing theme, seeing how she and her family are slowly healing and learning to live without her mum. I really feel this is a great depiction of grief and mental health though a young teenager's eyes.
I don’t want to spoil anything in the book as I loved going in blind but highly recommend this beautiful graphic novel as an amazing sequel to Sheets as well as being a strong book on its own.
I wish that I could live in a world designed by Brenna Thummler. I spent so much time just staring at each page because they were so beautiful.
Delicates takes all of the best parts of Sheets and just turns it up to 11. It tackles a lot of issues and lets the reader sit with each one of them for more time than I expected from a graphic novel targeted towards young people. I wish that I had been able to read this story at Marjorie's and Eliza's ages, and I know that young readers are lucky to have it now. (Also, Wendell continues to be one of my all time favorite ghosts!)
This graphic novel was truly something special! Not only were the illustrations excellent and the characters were adorable, but the overall theme of this book was well executed in a friendly way for younger audiences.
This story really emphasized the desire for us to fit in, to the point where we lose sight of our true selves. This story educates about bullying and the long term affect it can have, especially on our youth, and that is an important message to share.
“For a freak who sees dead people, I’ve been pretty blind to what’s in front of me. Last year, I was the one who felt like a ghost. How did I end up on the other side? You never know what’s going on inside someone else’s head -- how they’re hurting -- even if you put the hurt there yourself. Maybe we need to stop thinking only about what we see, and focus on learning what is actually there.”
Delicates, the sequel to Sheets by Brenna Thummler, continues to follow the life of Marjorie Glatt just as she starts her 8th-grade year. She’s been accepted by the popular kids but worries that everyone will discover that she is a freak with ghost friends that help run the family laundromat. Eliza Duncan, a fellow 8th-grader, feels just as out of place and seeks solace in her photography. Marjorie, a guilty bystander, must figure out how to mend the harm that Eliza endures along with healing a scarred family and balancing a ghostly relationship.
Delicates was even more powerful than Sheets. This stunning -- seriously, stunning -- graphic story captures exactly what it feels like to be invisible and in middle school. Marjorie’s character is just beginning to shape what her values are and who she wants to be as she grows up. Eliza, though, was my favorite. Her passion for photography and the fact that she stood behind her beliefs no matter what was inspiring. I liked watching the character growth, the realistic portrayal of friendship, and honest family dynamics in Delicates. Wendall, as always, will be my favorite sheet ghost of all time.
I loved the importance stressed on taking care of your mental health and that it is ok to ask for help when you need it, even if you can’t find the right words at first. Heavy thematic elements like bullying and suicidal thoughts are dealt with in a compassionate way. This will be an excellent addition to my early High School classroom when the physical copy is published.
[CW: bullying, suicide/suicidal thoughts, death of a parent, depression.]
Oh my goodness. This was amazing. I cried my eyes out in the end. After having only read Sheets last week, it was so perfect picking Delicates straight up.
Although for the most part, I didn't feel as connected to the story as I did with Sheets, about 75% in the story started to come together and it really hit me in the feels. This is a very beautiful but touching middlegrade novel surrounding friendship, grief, mental health, family and the hardships of being a kid in school.
I love the illustrations as well, just think the graphic novel is so beautifully done and very colourful. Despite having some darker topics at its heart.
TW: Grief, loss of a parent, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, bullying.
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger warning to those who may be affected by themes of bullying and suicidal thoughts, these are themes within this graphic novel.
Delicates is poignant, heartfelt and filled with an important message.
I loved this one even more than I loved Sheets, it really hits home with it's underlying message of acceptance and tolerance. I could not put this down, it really hit home and left me feeling so much. I adored it from start to finish and I hope that we may be blessed with more stories in the future of Marjorie, Wendell and Eliza in the future.
I love this one as much as I love the first book.
A heartfelt and dreamy story that will wrap you up like a hug :)
This is a story about friendship, about wanting to fit in, about finding your identity, and about being yourself.
The illustrations are filled with the same color as the first book and I adore the color pallete.
Delicates by Brenna Thummler is a superbly crafted graphic novel on grief, anxiety, and bullying.
Let’s get straight to the point, this was brilliant, I feel like I’ve not shut up about it since I finished it!
The colour palette Thummler opted to use was absolutely stunning, and the use of matte colours with a focus on blue, pink and purple hues creates such a warm and safe atmosphere which perfectly balances out the story. On a somewhat unrelated note, can I say that I want to own every outfit featured? Because I do.
I’ll be honest though, going into this I didn’t expect it to be so emotionally charged, and I certainly didn’t expect to cry whilst reading it, but it’s an emotional ride that you quickly become invested in. The book deals with bullying in a nuanced way and it explores how the most pain can come from the bystanders surrounding bullies, which is something that is rarely found in literature.
I would have liked to have seen more of an exploration of Marjorie’s father and his depression/coping mechanisms, but perhaps that will be explored in the next instalment.
I’d wholeheartedly recommend this if you’re able to handle the topics that it covers. TW for: suicidal thoughts, bullying, and grief.
This graphic novel went above and beyond my expectations.
It deals with teens navigating through school, trying to make friends and stay true to themselves. But most importantly it teaches us to stand up for what's right, stand up to bullies and see life as it is despite our struggles: worth living.
The characters are deeply relatable and the art is really nice.
I might have cried a little... A couple of times. Or five.
Oh, wow.
Ok, first of all, thank you to Netgalley and Oni Press for the opportunity to read and review an electronic galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, I still love the color scheme and illustration style for this series. It's absorbing. The storyline for this book felt so much more compelling to me--so much that I was sitting straight up in my chair scrolling through the pages there at the end to see what happened next, and I got little chills from how personally affecting some of the connections between the characters were. This book deals with bullying, and how it feels to be the "weird" kid, while still developing the themes of grief and coping from the first book in the series.
Highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
A great sequel in the series! Phenomenal artwork with a wonderful color theme depending on what’s happening in the story. I loved the expansion of Wendell and Marjorie’s friendship. This graphic novel did a great job of taking me back to middle school and immersing me in the angsty, frustrating feelings of toxic teen frenemies. You simultaneously feel for Marjorie and want to yank her towards being friends with Eliza. This was an unfortunately representative look at bullying in pre-teen girls, perfect for the young reader audience to reflect on! I loved the heartwarming friendship that eventually developed between Eliza and Marjorie.
This book did an excellent job showing the “delicates” in our lives and friendships. It is a wonderful graphic novel, and a great way to start to talk to children about mental health and how it is okay to be different. The illustrations were beautiful, and I cannot wait to read more from the author. I highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, this graphic novel blew me away. I’m not normally a big fan of sequels and series and find myself drawn to standalone books, but when I saw there was a sequel to Sheets, I instantly wanted to read it. When Sheets came out, I was immediately drawn to the art on the cover. I love the cozy yet chilly at the same time vibes that Brenna brings to these novels.
While Sheets was a cute story and it dealt with feelings of loneliness and making friends, Delicates goes much deeper. Marjorie is back and finds she is becoming accepted by the popular kids at school, but she feels that she has to hide her ghost friend Wendell from them. Next we are introduced to Eliza, a girl interested in ghost photography which causes her to be labeled as “weird” and “different” by other kids at her school, causing her to feel alienated, and almost like a ghost. Before long, the popular crowd that Marjorie has been hanging with starts to bully Eliza. Marjorie feels torn between wanting to be accepted by the popular kids, being friends with Wendell, and reaching out to Eliza.
Delicates is a story about feeling like you don’t fit in, standing up for others, and embracing who you are. It does an amazing job at inspiring its readers to reach out to those who may be in the dark and help others to feel visible.
Ok WOWZA this story was beautiful and intense!!
Trust me, it's not one of the graphic novels that you read for the cute pictures - there is a deep and obvious message about bullying and suicide. *trigger warnings for sure*
I love the fact that books like this exist and kids growing up in the future will be taught about the realities of mental health issues. This author did an INCREDIBLE job at making a hard topic engaging and appropriate for all ages. I would 100% recommend.
TW: bullying, talk of suicide, grief, loss of parent
I was lucky to get a free eARC of this book to review. This is the sequel to a graphic novel about ghosts at a laundromat. This story just expands on the brilliance that was created in the first book, but with an extra level of reality on top of it all
This book tackles some very tough subjects. Our main character has been accepted by the popular kids and really starts to lose herself by trying to be cool. This book beautifully explores the topic of bullying in school, and how you can still be a bully by not doing anything at all. The topics of grief after a loss of parents and suicidal thoughts are talked about as well. This small novel is GREAT for younger readers, and has these tough conversations in a way that they can understand.
This book I feel like should be required reading for middle schools, because of the beautiful creativity of the world the author created as well as tough topics discussed. I am so glad I was able to get a look at this truly beautiful read, and I HIGHLY recommend it for readers of all ages.
I was obsessed with Brenna Thummler's Sheets, and as soon as I spotted this cover I was just so excited to read Delicates! Her illustrations are just so amazing, and the storytelling is wonderful.
Like its predecessor “Sheets,” “Delicates” is a fantastic read. The striking art-style and vibrant color palette suck you into the story immediately. This story proves that you don’t need bland, gritty, or colorless art to depict a serious story. “Delicates” is provocative, compelling, and youthful in look and in narrative.
This story depicts loneliness, loss, and bullying with honesty and care. As these are all things that young adolescents are faced with, I applaud the author’s willingness to explore these topics with such sensitivity. This is a haunting and heartwarming story about the strength of human kindness. If you, like so many others need to find faith in humanity again, this is the book for you, and if you enjoyed the first installment, I dare say that you’ll enjoy “Delicates” more.
I got an ARC of this book.
Can you imagine a book that seems to be about sheet ghosts actually being about something so emotionally gut punching that you feel hollow after you finish it? I doubted, despite reading the first book.
This book made my body hurt. I understood so intensely what one character was feeling that I felt sick at one point. Her pain is so palpable. Being bullied most of my life, but pretending it was fine to be alone is something that still gets to me when I see something this raw and this earnest. How could I not feel for the ghost photographing weirdo? I was her. I befriended every horse girl I came across. They were always the nicest girls. A ghost photographer would have been a better match for me. I would have loved to go ghost hunting with her. She didn’t deserve anything that happened to her.
This is clearly aimed at teens, but it really works well for adults. Looking back at how painful middle school really was. Eighth grade seriously sucked. Bullying became more vicious, new social rules, puberty, dances, dating. It all got overwhelming. Add in depression and you got this book. It is so intense. It is so perfect. I seriously worried in the middle. There was a chance that this would go even darker. I will warn you there is a suicidal character. There are emotions around this and there is danger. It feels real. It felt like the times I have had to stop someone. This book doesn’t pull any emotional punches.
I really shouldn’t have read this in public, this close to the anniversary of the last time I rushed someone to the hospital after a suicide attempt. This book hits really close to home. It isn’t easy to read and it isn’t as goofy as sheet ghosts promise. It is so easy to forget that cartoon ghosts are really dead people, people that never got to live out their dreams and their lives. Kid cartoon ghosts are always so friendly and it is so easy to just forget they aren’t alive any more. This book really confronts death on a lot of levels. This series really does hit hard.
The art I think adds to it. It keeps a bit of a distance by not being hyper realistic. But it also makes it easier to be sucked in, because you don’t expect such deep emotions from something cutesy. The art is perfect and the story is a lot.
This is not a book to take lightly and not one to be read when you are feeling vulnerable. Take care of yourself and any sheet ghosts you find. Everyone deserves a friend.
This is one of those rare cases when the sequel is better than the original. I received an ARC of Sheets back in 2018 and still remember how beautiful the artwork was so I knew I had to request a copy of this as soon as I saw it. The color palette of these books is god-tier. Truly stunning. I don't remember the storyline of the first book all too well but Delicates will be sticking with me for a while. I don't know many people who haven't experienced being bullied at some point in their lives so I feel like most can relate to Eliza's character. This book portrays the effect bullying can have in an honest way and teaches the harm of staying silent. An important read for all ages.
Thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was even better than Sheets, and I think that was one of the best graphic novels of 2018. Bullying is a good topic, and I like how subtle it was here. It was so hard to watch Marjorie shun Eliza so thoughtlessly. I think this will be a good wake up call to middle schoolers who think they're not wrong when they just stand by and let things happen.
This is probably one of the most beautifully written graphic novels I've ever read. It was an absolute delight to read this.
Fully recommend it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Delicates is the sequel to Thummler's graphic novel, Sheets. In Delicates, Brenna Thummler follows Marjorie Glatts into eighth grade where she struggles to maintain her identity and belonging with the popular kids while also remaining true to her friendship with Wendall and the other ghosts in her family's laundromat.
This one blew me away. I had seen pictures and reviews of Sheets on GoodReads and Bookstagram for months, and I'd been meaning to get around to it. Delicates has a beautiful art style and colour palette, and a powerful story. I love paranormal elements running parallel to the tween/teen identity search, and Delicates provided that combination in a stunning fashion.
I loved Marjorie's struggle to be herself while maintaining a sense of belonging at school, which felt like the quintessential teen journey broken down into a very sensitive and reflective journey. Wendall the ghost was also a very sweet and delightful character to meet and offered a lot of opportunities for Marjorie and Eliza to reflect on what was important. Mostly I adored the character of Eliza, who felt like something of an Agent Mulder with a passion for ghost photography. The descriptions of the film development were probably my favourite part of this book, it was beautiful how Eliza related that to her observations about people.
The characters were extremely likeable and relatable. I think everyone has a moment in their coming of age where they feel like the odd one out, and Thummler captures this so well I felt myself drudging up those old feelings. I would definitely recommend this book to young readers, but the feeling of nostalgia it left me with had me asking my own friends if they have read Sheets despite us being a few years out of our teens.
Thank you to the publisher, Oni Press, and to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wow love this book! I love the talk about bulling, taking a stand, feeling different and suicide. These are tough subject that need to be talked about. This book does a great job talking about these subjects and weaving then into a great story. This graphic novel will be a great addition to your library.
Marjorie and Wendell are back! Marjorie is excepted in with the cool kids, so things should be great. But then Marjorie is to busy to play with her ghost friends and her new friends are starting to bully the "weirdo" girl named Eliza, who is obsessed with ghosts. Will Wendell and her ghosts friends leave Marjorie? Will she be able to stand up to her friends? What message is Eliza writing and will anyone find out before it is too late?
i absolutely loved this book - i loved sheets and i was beyond excited when i got to review it in exchange for a copy on netgalley. the art work is wonderful, and the budding relationships that formed were so heart-felt. i can’t help but feel so anxious when i read these, as everything goes wrong for the main character, and there’s a sense of urgency for the situation to unravel and fix itself. i’d love a third instalment.
The sequel to Sheets, but now stronger, more impactful, and with even more incredibly art (if that's even possible!!)
Thummler takes us on a journey back to the late '90s, into the cringy and so relatable time that is the teenage years. When doing yoga with your mom is embarrassing and you just want to fit in. It tells a story of bullying and the depression and suicidal thoughts it can lead to, as well as what it means to be implicit. The many facets of friendships are so beautifully illustrated and by the end I was on the floor bawling, my bunny licking up my tears. Highly recommend reading the first book, just so you get to experience the depth of the second.
I have made a dedicated review that will be uploaded on the release date. Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with a copy, I loved it!
I loved the continuation of the series. The art work is beautiful and the author does such. a great job of capturing the feelings of middle school. This graphic novel is a continuation on the themes of grieving and friendship whilst also adding the themes of bullying and mental health.
A beautiful, adorably illustrated sequel to its predecessor Sheets.
With such sensitive topics, depression, bullying, grief, and discovering who you are, this story wonderfully encapsulates the importance of friendship, forgiveness, and healing. I love this world Brenna created. The color palette is by far my favorite of any graphic novel. The characters are honest, and the illustrations convey the true depth of emotions. As long as I've been out of middle school, I still found myself thinking back to those days and how relatable this story was. Thank you so much, NetGalley. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Brenna! I hope you continue to write in this world as I will continue to come back and read it again and again.
Another poignant, heartfelt and stunning story following on from the events of Sheets. The artwork once again was beautiful throughout, with some of the full-page scenery illustrations regularly taking my breath away as I was reading. Something about the nuance of the character design, in particular the facial expressions of our main characters, had me emoting all the emotional emotions alongside everyone in the story. I loved the progression of Marjorie and Wendell's friendship over the course of the book as both of their needs and situations were changing; I'm so glad they were both still a main focus of the story. The ideas put forward about the various relationships we have at different stages of our lives, and how they can serve us in different ways were so refreshing and real. Eliza instantly found her way into the deepest corner of my heart and will never leave.
I feel warmed right through and full of appreciation for stories like this one.
*re-reads book instantly*
Thank you so much to the publisher for this BEAUTIFUL e-arc.
Brenna Thummler's art is wonderful! Pastel pink and lilac. But her stories are hard hitting and sad. Both Sheets and Delicates deal with friendship, grief, bullying, and suicidal thoughts... I love that the ghosts are the ones helping humans to pick up the pieces and slowly heal.
I really enjoyed reading both Sheets and Delicates. That being said - Delicates seemed to hit me harder.
"Delicates" is a sweet, beautifully written graphic novel about belonging and staying true to who you are. The art style is gorgeous, and perfectly matches the voice of the story. Perfect for fans of 'Pumpkinheads' or 'Mooncakes', I can only recommend this book to anyone who loves carefully crafted stories, and sweet, hopeful endings.
I absolutely enjoyed reading Sheets, and Delicates was an incredible follow up. Both the artwork and the narrative are so well done. Brenna has done it again!
Another perfect installment of this series! Delicates is just as touching and beautiful as Sheets and I can’t want to run out and buy the physical copy so I can hold onto it always.
Read this is one sitting and really enjoyed it. I haven't read Sheets which I realise is the first in the series -I will now seek it out, but this book stands on its own.
Following the death of her mother, Marjorie is struggling to cope with a depressed father, a brother who has chosen to lose himself in video games and school (plus the group of ghosts living in her family's laundromat). School is a believable tension of mean girls, bullying and machinations about the school dance. Eliza is re-taking 8th grade (admittedly a slightly odd concept for UK readers where this wouldn't happen) and is finding it hard to fit in or ask for help. Eliza's one passion is photography and specifically, photographing ghosts.
Fitting in (or learning that you don't have to) is the main theme of the book and is a concern that will resonate with its target audience. It is compassionate and funny and works well as a graphic novel using a distinctive palette of colours and accessible style.. No spoilers, but I did shed a tear at the end.
The long awaited sequel to Sheets! I read Sheets recently and adored the story and illustrations and this sequel does not disappoint!
Sheets was a story about coping with the loss of a loved one and Delicates deals with loneliness. Delicates follows two lonely grade eight girls trying to get through school in their own ways. Thummler presents the struggles middle grade kids have forming meaningful friendships, navigating misunderstandings, and finding ways to fit in.
I think in order to really appreciate the friendship and back story of Marjorie and Wendell, you need to go back to Sheets. Wendell’s friendly ghost adds a whimsical aspect to the story that is both beautiful and tragic. I would encourage everyone to read Sheets prior to because I can see how someone reading the sequel would feel confused about the ghosts in this story.
There’s something about Thummler’s work that’s unique only to her style and I love it. I love her choice of colour palette for her illustrations which is consistent throughout her graphic novels. The author also writes about challenging topics in the most subtle of ways that make it approachable and appropriate for middle grade and young adults.
I would highly recommend this one! I really hope this series continues because it is so beautiful with such important topics to address. It was a brilliantly executed reminder that we’re all going through our own problems, we just need to open up and talk to each other about how we’re feeling.
Thank you so much to Brenna Thummler for this sequel! And thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The sequel to Sheets, we follow Marjorie Glatts as she deals with her friendship with Wendell the ghost, her new friendship with mean girl Tessi, crush on Colton, and potential friendship with Eliza who is obsessed with photographing ghosts and just so happens to have heard Marjorie talking to Wendell one night, but is also bullied by Tessi and her crew.
This graphic novel read a bit older than Sheets as it deals with suicidal ideation and bullying. Marjorie felt like a ghost in Sheets, but in this graphic novel, we meet Eliza, who feel like maybe, being a ghost will be allow her to feel better. In Eliza's quest to photograph ghosts and spirits, she becomes alienated by her peers and labeled "weird." It doesn't help that her father, Mr. Duncan, lets it slip that she's repeating the 8th grade. The novel goes between Eliza and Marjorie's perspectives as Marjorie tries to hider her friendship with Wendell because of her newfound friend-group. However, Marjorie begins to learn that these friendships are negatively affecting the people and relationships around her. This was a heart-wrenching yet beautiful graphic novel that handled a difficult topic delicately.
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Stewart C Baker
Essays & Collections, Novellas & Short Stories, Sci Fi & Fantasy