Unfamiliar

In this quirky graphic novel by Newsome, originally a webcomic, humble young kitchen witch Planchette couldn’t be more excited about her big move, until she discovers that her new, giant skull-shaped home is haunted. Together with her rabbit familiar, Winston, Planchette sets off to recruit help evicting the spectral squatters. While exploring town, she meets skittish witch Pinyon and her bird familiar, Ari, who agree to assess the situation. But when Pinyon’s attempts to exorcize the ghosts result in her fearful retreat, she and Planchette turn to website Witchyhow for advice. As the two try myriad methods to expel the ghouls to varying degrees of failure, they worry that Planchette’s home will be haunted forever. Newsome’s worldbuilding cleverly toes the line between sweet and eerie, and the creator’s playful, exaggerated cartoonlike style handily conveys the more harrowing story elements—such as lovers torn apart by murder and the young twins who haunt Planchette’s house—in a way that feels cozy and warm, despite the ghosts’ tragic ends. Most characters appear white. Ages 13–17. (Nov.)