Ditching Saskia

Living with his grandfather and struggling in a new high school, Damian decides to summon his mother's ghost so he can talk things out - but he blows it and summons Saskia, a scruffy, annoying kid. Trying to settle into his new life, Damian doesn't need her hanging around trying to 'help' him with his crush - but Saskia's suffering too, and everything they're both hiding deep down might be just what they both need to get some peace. John Moore and Neetols paint a sweet and hilarious tale of young love amidst grief, where someone's flaws might be the reason you love them the most.

A lonely outsider who lives with his grandfather, Damian saves up for a Spirit Flower to summon his mother's ghost, but mistakenly calls up Saskia, an irritating, nosy nine-year-old he's now stuck with until the Spirit Flower wilts. Saskia's antics push Damian into the spotlight at school, but there's a mystery surrounding the secretive little ghost. Can he help her solve it, while finding his own niche? A tender, touching 12+ graphic novel about loss, identity and acceptance. -- Imogen Russell Williams The Guardian: Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels
Being the new kid in high school is hard enough, but Damian's also dealing with the loss of hisparents: his mom died when was just four; his dad's new family kicked him out so he's living withhis grandparents. Although he's found one kind friend, he's still convinced "everyone hates[him]." Desperate to talk to a mother he barely remembers, he buys a precious, exorbitant "spiritflower" which has the power to summon the dead. He heads to the memorial he's always beentold is his mother's and confesses "I'm totally lost." The voice that answers, however, isn't whohe expected: nine-year-old Saskia turns out to be a precociously obnoxious, tenaciouslybothersome presence. She's also a local legend who was "found in the woods, starved and withpneumonia." She didn't survive and left behind a mystery. Back at school, news of Damian'swould-be spiritual encounter suddenly makes him "the man of the hour," but all sorts ofmisunderstandings and deceptions about what happened out there start multiplying. Despitetheir initial clashes, Damian and Saskia will need each other to admit and exorcise their truths.British author/playwright Moore provides a poignant, heartfelt tale of grief, loss, and hopefulhealing. In exquisitely expressive black-grey-white swirling panels-with only the spirit flowerhighlighted in vibrant orange-Neetols transforms Moore's narrative into visual magic. -- Terry Hong Booklist STARRED Review
A shy teenager rejected by his father and a nosy 9-year-old ghost untangle a complicated web of lies.Damian, a teen of Filipino descent who lives with Lolo, his grandfather, is the quiet new kid at a school where having the best story can earn you friends and popularity. So, when Damian accidentally summons Saskia, the spirit of a little girl who died after becoming lost in the woods, he invents a story to explain why he didn't use his rare, precious Spirit Flower to be reunited with his mom, who died when he was 4-he says someone stole it. When persistent classmate Meghan interviews Damian for the student paper, his robbery story evolves into ever-bigger lies. Meghan also posts a video fabricating lies that misrepresent Saskia, much to her rage. Damian grapples with grief, his complicated memories of his mom, and mounting scrutiny and pressure to tell the truth. Meanwhile, his crush on his friend Elijah grows into something more. The delicate and expressive illustrations are executed in shades of gray, black, and navy; the gold accents of the Spirit Flower signify its value in bringing back those who have passed. The quirky character dynamics create a sense of comic relief amid the emotional intensity. Saskia and Meghan read white, and Elijah is cued Korean. The story leaves unanswered plot points that suggest a sequel.Intriguing supernatural elements grounded by genuine expressions of friendship and understanding. (Graphic paranormal. 13-17) -- Laura Simeon Kirkus Reviews

John Moore grew up exploring the creaky woods of Hertfordshire and studied at the University of Sussex where he developed his socially conscious writing style. Subjects such as grief, mental health, childhood and family are core themes in his work which he often tries to examine with humour. He has been awarded places on programmes run by the likes of BBC Writersroom, Papatango Theatre Company, Screen Arts Institute and Working Title. In 2021, John was also selected for the VAULT Festival New Writers Programme.Neetols (they/them) is a graphic designer and illustrator born and raised in Manila, Philippines, where they reside still. They have worked in advertising and the non-profit sector where they realized their interest in narrative art and illustrating genuine human connections. They are inspired by classic manga, mid-century packaging design, old gig posters, and slice-of-life movies.

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