User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
*NEW FAVOURITE ALERT* If I can encourage you to pick up a book right now, please let it be this one. I'm still swimming in the illustrations, they were so unbelievably beautiful. I'm sort of considering buying a second copy so that I can cut out some of my favourite pages to hang them in my room? Is that crazy? IT'S JUST SO BEAUTIFUL. But so was the story! The characters! Marjorie and Wendell have my heart! I'm so darn glad that there is a sequel coming because I need more of this world <3
Rating: really liked it
It has been a long time since I've read a graphic novel where I left it FEELING something. Don't get me wrong, I love graphic novels and I think they're so fun, but few really have left an emotional impact on me. I'm leaving this one, feeling the mark of that impact. (or should I say "stain", since our main character works at a laundromat?) I loved this story to pieces. I'll admit that I felt emotionally drained by it, because our main character is dragged through life. From the loss of her mother, to supporting her family, and the crippling loneliness that consumes her. It covers some heavy things, but it was worth making my way to the end to see how everything turned out. I really hope Brenna Thummler continues to create books like this, because I need MORE.
Rating: really liked it
Rating: 3.5 stars
In Sheets we follow Wendell, a ghost wearing a sheet, and Marjorie, a young girl running her family's laundromat. At first, we jump between their two stories but eventually, they weave together. This is such a sweet read, both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I absolutely love the colour palette - the illustrations are truly stunning!
I did find the pacing to be a little off. The start is slow, but I actually really liked this. I enjoyed getting to know Marjorie, and seeing how she moved through her life. Then 3/4 of the way through, it's like a switch is flipped, and the pacing quickens and speeds towards the end. I thought it wrapped up a little quickly, and I was hoping to spend a little more time savouring the resolution.
That being said, Wendell's perspective was definitely my favourite. The pacing was a little more consistent when we follow him, and I really loved the concept behind the ghost world and how they interact with the living world.
Rating: really liked it
I loved this book soooo much! I added to my favorites! It just had a homey feel to it. I can't explain it! And the graphics are wonderful! And ghosts!! Grief, trying to find yourself, family. Just wonderful!
Mel 🖤🐺🐾
Rating: really liked it
4.5 STARS
- The cutest little graphic novel that gives me major Steven Universe vibes with its color palette. The story is so adorable, as well.
Rating: really liked it
3,5* - The ending felt a little rushed but overall I enjoyed this quite a lot! :)
Rating: really liked it
Local Friendly Ghosts, Grief, and Solitude 
Sheets illustrates the determination of a young girl to fight, even when all parts of her world seem to be conspiring against her. It proves that second chances are possible whether life feels over or life is over. But above all, it is a story of the forgiveness and unlikely friendship that can only transpire inside a haunted laundromat.
This book is also quite a looker; I only wish that the storyline would've managed to stir me just as much as the art did. I mean, just take a look at the below:
The amount of dedication it takes to capture the intricate details in one page is mind-boggling.
The color pallets in here make for a visually stunning graphic novel, which means that I have to share my many, many favorites:
I seriously can't get enough of the above. Every time I look, it stirs me anew.
There's so much truth in the last panel.
Just your local friendly ghost telling ghost stories:
I think this last one might be my favorite. I can't stop staring.
Overall, I'd say that though the nonsensical plot felt a bit lacking, in comparison the art style had me wholeheartedly committed to the story. SO MUCH VISUAL INTRICACIES.
Also, fittingly, this song came on loop during my reading:
ARC kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.Expected publication: August 28th, 2018
Note: I’m an Amazon Affiliate. If you’re interested in buying Sheets ,
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Rating: really liked it
Brenna Thummler illustrated the fabulous, wonderful, I can't-say-enough-good-things-about-it Anne of Green Gables a graphic novel, so when I saw she was flying solo on her own debut graphic novel, I didn't hesitate to pre-order a copy and pay the full price for it.
When it arrived, my 10-year-old (who is our resident artist), couldn't wait to get her hands on it, but I wasn't sure she was the target age, so I retreated to my room to read it.
I came out of the room, finished, with the book in my hand and my dramatic middle child (the artist), who is also highly intuitive, took one look at me and said, “Mommy! You'd better be nice when you review it!! It's hard to be an artist!”
(Sheesh—why does she think I wouldn't be nice? Did she stumble upon my Jaws review?)
How could I not be nice to the young woman who illustrated the newest
Anne of Green Gables?
I will be nice. How about 5 stars for her stunning artwork and 1 star for the faulty story arc, nonsensical plotlines and total lack of character development?
That averages out to a 3. Ish. Not bad for a solo debut. And, if Brenna Thummler ever reads this, I'd like to remind her that both Trina Schart Hyman and Grace Lin (two of my all-time favorite illustrators) both started their careers with powerhouse visuals and weak storylines.
They both achieved greatness, and so will you.
Rating: really liked it
Aw, I enjoy this book. The scenery and the colour palette incorporating the violet hues is my absolute favourite albeit the human illustration being something I'm not really fond of.
Even so, as vibrant as it looks, Sheets is an emotional journey through loss, depression, friendship, and fear. Trying to get through middle school with no friends and run the family laundry with no aid while your father is grieving is a huge load to bear.
It's unmistakable, with the heartbreaking plot, this novel came off a bit slow and might stall your drive to continue reading this. Marjorie's sadness and pain are palpable, but the book never becomes overbearing. I'd say, pick this up for it's lovely and adorably spooky theme.
I also love the message how when all seems lost, hope is still there!
(p/s: bringing Wendell home with me as I speak!)
Rating: really liked it
I have officially given up my human form and turned into the googly eye emoji (🥺) and it is solely for the purpose of accurately portraying my feelings towards this graphic novel.
There is something incredibly pure and wholesome about reading about a sad girl becoming friends with a sad ghost. My heart grew at least three sizes during the progression of the story and i found myself staring at my phone and grinning from ear to ear (like the pathetic, soft-hearted loser that i am).
It is a seldom thing for a graphic novel to make me this giddy and happy. I think this kind of story is something that everybody needs right now, or generally during a rough patch in life. Something that reminds you, even for a moment, that there is still kindness out there and that you can find friendship in the most unlikely of places.
✨ buddy read with may, you are my unlikely place 🥺
rating: ★★★½
Rating: really liked it
SOLD! The ghostly book cover....the inside front and back covers....the detailed soft colored illustrations....just wonderful!
The memories are bittersweet....the laundry never-ending....or is it!
Poor Marjorie....so much to do. Trying to survive middle school with no friends and run the family laundry with no help while dad mourns is such a heavy burden to bear; and that coupled with an evil minded villain and mischievous young ghost bring anguish to Marjorie's face in many of the meaningful illustrations.
SHEETS (great name) is a sad, but powerful little middle grade graphic story about loss, perseverance, forgiveness and new unlikely friendships....plus one fine debut for Brenna Thummler.
Many thanks to Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley for the complimentary ebook in exchange for review.
Rating: really liked it
This didn't work for me as a YA graphic novel or a juvenile graphic novel.
Protagonist Marjorie Glatt (dear lord that name) is a middle schooler who's horrible father has left her as the sole person in charge of her beloved dead mother's laundromat. That's right, a child has been put in charge of running the family business because dad is too sad to come out of his room and take any responsibility at all for his children. She also has a very young brother who seems to be in kindergarten and is being left entirely to his own devices, again because dad's too sad to do anything.
I couldn't get away from that. Its just so awful. I was like immediately heart broken for these kids.
So Marjorie works insanely hard to keep this pretty damn gross laundromat going and every single customer who comes in treats her like absolute shit and says nothing about how insane it is that a 12 year old is running a business.
There's a local, deeply, deeply insane man who keeps breaking in and trying to convince/strong arm Marjorie into letting him turn the laundromat into a spa. He is just so deeply, deeply insane it defies any kind of understanding. He runs around the town telling everyone that the laundromat is horrible when he isn't actively engaging in sabotage by putting dye in the laundry soap. Again no one thinks this is weird or troubling or that this man should be arrested.
Then there's a ghost who lives in "the land of ghosts." Everyone in the land of ghosts in covered in a sheet that they must take care of at all costs and they can't ever be seen by people and a bunch of other rules typical in this kind of story. This particular ghost makes up a lot of silly stories about how amazing his life was when he was alive and is having problems coming to terms with being a ghost. I think. Honestly I found ghost world deeply confusing and kind of boring.
There really isn't a solid bridge of any kind between Marjorie and the ghost. I guess she cleans a lot of sheets in the laundromat? But somehow they sort of get into each other's orbits and learn from each other?
I just didn't get this. None of the important stuff like the families grief over mom's death or Marjorie's horrible father or the legal repurcussions of a child running a business or a madman routinely breaking into said business are ever even a little bit addressed and everything just sort of works out because ghosts!!! yay ghosts!
I also really don't mean to be a total jerk here but I hated the artwork. Everyone is drawn with these very long faces and super weird long noses that just make everyone look absolutely miserable all the time. The colors are very muted, which I get, but it just left me feeling horribly depressed.
There was nothing uplifting about this and no real magic. It left me sad and uncomfortable.
Rating: really liked it
What a great book we have here! I read this book in one sitting and it absolutely blew me away. This is such a moving story about the girl, Marjorie, who spends most of her time doing the family laundary business. Alone in that world, she feels invisible. People treat her so bad and they have no understanding for her. Mar J is that type of girl who will forgive you anything in order to live her life peacefully.
Once you're dead,
you're dead.
You can't over-die.Even though people treat her so bad, she still finds her will to fight for a good life. And once she meets Wendell, her life turns upside down. She doesn't believe in ghosts, yet he comes to her house every night. Firstly, she's not happy at all - ghosts are not real! But Wendell proves her that she's wrong. Also, he brings faith in her life. True friendships exists just like ghosts does.
But this place is home, baby.
And once you have that,
there's nowhere you'd rather be.I loved everything about this book. It has lovely art and this type of setting is so unusual, I didn't know I would like it this much. I'm so happy that I read this book and I highly recommend it to everyone!
Rating: really liked it
sheets is a somber yet adorable ghostie graphic novel with beautiful coloring. i love ghosts, especially cute ones, so i really enjoyed this!
the art is interesting, because i love how the ghosts are drawn, and the purply-pink coloring is absolutely lovely (and in keeping with the 90s setting). but i'm not a fan of the art for the humans, especially the main characters.
rosalind's review mentions how fucked up it is that the villain is a the only fat character, and that's something that also bothered me a great deal. this came out in 2018... can't we do better? don't young readers deserve better? (a few reviews also mention that the villain may be queer-coded, which is also pretty fucked up)
otherwise it's a touching story, and the grief theme meshes really well with the ghost theme. i wish the relationships were more developed, as they are far more interesting than the save-the-laundromat plot. and some more worldbuilding for the ghost towns would be cool too. but hopefully the sequel digs deeper into the characters, and brings even more pretty pages!
Rating: really liked it
The story of Marjorie Glatt and Wendell in this graphic novel is quite entertaining to read. While reading this, Wendell reminds me of the famous Casper not only because they are both young ghosts but also for their personality and the way they try to help as much as they can. However, I was torn on the rating between 4 and 5 stars; I am hoping that there would be a second volume because I like how there was a panel that shows that Marjorie and Wendell might have met already when he was still alive.
The story of grief, loneliness, depression, moving on and remembering our departed loved ones were all tackled in this fast-paced story. The colorful illustrations are also highly appealing that makes the story charming and delightful to read. A must-read if you are looking for something that is a light-read yet still captivating.
