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Taxi Ghost
At a certain age, every kid expects growth spurts and puberty...but no one mentioned the ability to see ghosts?! This hilarious and heart warming graphic novel about family secrets and the importance of community is great for fans of Witches of Brooklyn and Katie the Catsitter.
Adèle just wants to spend her winter break at the library, cozied up with her favorite books, and completely forgetting abut her friends who are all traveling to warmer climates. Unfortunately life has other plans...not only does Adèle get her first period...but she learns she comes from a long line of mediums!
And if seeing ghosts wasn't enough of a surprise, Adèle learns that not only can she interact with them, but apparently they've been using her sister's car to get around the city for years! These annoying ghosts won't leave Adèle alone but maybe they will be exactly what Adèle needs for an exciting winter!
From Sophie Escabasse, the author of the beloved Witches of Brooklyn, comes a brilliant graphic novel that explores growing up and the importance of standing up for what you believe in.
Adèle just wants to spend her winter break at the library, cozied up with her favorite books, and completely forgetting abut her friends who are all traveling to warmer climates. Unfortunately life has other plans...not only does Adèle get her first period...but she learns she comes from a long line of mediums!
And if seeing ghosts wasn't enough of a surprise, Adèle learns that not only can she interact with them, but apparently they've been using her sister's car to get around the city for years! These annoying ghosts won't leave Adèle alone but maybe they will be exactly what Adèle needs for an exciting winter!
From Sophie Escabasse, the author of the beloved Witches of Brooklyn, comes a brilliant graphic novel that explores growing up and the importance of standing up for what you believe in.
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2024
59 people are currently reading
830 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Escabasse
27 books165 followersSophie Escabasse is a French author and illustrator who lives in Montreal with her husband and three children, and their black cat, Terrence. She has illustrated many books for middle-grade readers, including Florence Parry Heide and Roxanne Heide Pierce’s Spotlight Club Mysteries series and the Freestyler Funnies series by Tom Easton. She has been a graphic novel lover for as long as she can remember, and she enjoys fun and expressive characters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
June 26, 2024
In a Nutshell: A middle-grade graphic novel combining entertainment as well as value-addition. The title isn’t an exact indicator of the content, but don’t let this turn you away. Strongly recommended to the target age group.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Bookish Yays:
👻 Adèle: Constantly worries about her pimples, loves books and the library, adores her family, is courageous about doing the correct thing. A great protagonist for a middle-grade book.
👻 Helen and Grandma: amazing secondary characters. Contrary to each other in attitude but never hesitant about being there for each other and speaking up for what’s right. The girl power in this book is strong.
👻 The ghosts: Coming a variety of ages and sizes and abilities. They range from fun to quirky to slightly dangerous. They bring gravitas as well as humour to this story.
👻 The snowy setting of Montreal, used so well in the plot!
👻 The concept of “period parties.’ I am not entirely convinced by how smoothly the whole first period experience went. Regardless, even the concept of normalising periods and talking about menstruation without awkwardness deserves a Yay.
👻 The theme of city management and maintaining their integrity without succumbing to the demands of big corporations: tackled strongly without making the plot seem tedious to younger minds. I hope this theme raises awareness in youngsters about how much damage the rampant commercialisation of cities is doing to smaller suburbs.
👻 The introductory note by author: offers the perfect start to the story and how it came into being.
👻 The illustrations: Just my kind of comic art, with clear faces and expressions, neat panels, and colourful pages. Even the ghosts are multi-hued. I especially loved the typeface – speech bubble text is usually kept plain as to be legible, but this is the first time I have seen a font style that looks so appealing while still being clear to read.
Bookish Nays:
☠ The title isn't exactly indicative of the storyline. The story is much beyond one “Taxi Ghost.”
☠ I wish the character ages had been specified, especially for the sisters. Right till the end, we don’t know how old they are, though we know that Adèle is probably in school, and Helen is already working and moving out from the family home in summer.
All in all, the complaints are quite minor. This middle-grade graphic novel offers a great package of characters, storyline and artwork for every young reader to be delighted. My daughters read the book along with me, and they loved it as well.
Definitely recommended to tweens and teens, looking for a fun story that goes much beyond light entertainment.
4.5 stars, happy to round up. (Not that I had a choice. I am under explicit instructions from the two not-so-little in-house bosses that this needs to be given a 5!)
My thanks to Random House Children's for providing the DRC of “Taxi Ghost” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
On an aside: While I do love graphic novels and rarely hesitate when I see an appealing cover, this book came into my agenda for a different reason: the cover reminded me of the movie ‘Heart and Soul.’ Anyone remembers that old comic fantasy from the early 1990s? It was the first time I saw Robert Downey Jr. act, but more than him, it is the story that impressed me as a child: the ghosts in the car. Seeing this cover made me nostalgic. Does anyone else remember that movie? I wonder how it will fare if I watch it now. 😊
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
When Adèle hits puberty, the last thing she expects is the arrival of a new skill: the ability to interact with ghosts. No one had told her that she comes from a long line of mediums. Her grandmother isn’t happy that Adèle has inherited the family gift, but Adèle’s elder sister Helen encourages her to explore the gift and decide for herself. The interactions seem okay at first, but soon Adèle learns that the ghosts are trying to get in touch with her for an important reason.
Bookish Yays:
👻 Adèle: Constantly worries about her pimples, loves books and the library, adores her family, is courageous about doing the correct thing. A great protagonist for a middle-grade book.
👻 Helen and Grandma: amazing secondary characters. Contrary to each other in attitude but never hesitant about being there for each other and speaking up for what’s right. The girl power in this book is strong.
👻 The ghosts: Coming a variety of ages and sizes and abilities. They range from fun to quirky to slightly dangerous. They bring gravitas as well as humour to this story.
👻 The snowy setting of Montreal, used so well in the plot!
👻 The concept of “period parties.’ I am not entirely convinced by how smoothly the whole first period experience went. Regardless, even the concept of normalising periods and talking about menstruation without awkwardness deserves a Yay.
👻 The theme of city management and maintaining their integrity without succumbing to the demands of big corporations: tackled strongly without making the plot seem tedious to younger minds. I hope this theme raises awareness in youngsters about how much damage the rampant commercialisation of cities is doing to smaller suburbs.
👻 The introductory note by author: offers the perfect start to the story and how it came into being.
👻 The illustrations: Just my kind of comic art, with clear faces and expressions, neat panels, and colourful pages. Even the ghosts are multi-hued. I especially loved the typeface – speech bubble text is usually kept plain as to be legible, but this is the first time I have seen a font style that looks so appealing while still being clear to read.
Bookish Nays:
☠ The title isn't exactly indicative of the storyline. The story is much beyond one “Taxi Ghost.”
☠ I wish the character ages had been specified, especially for the sisters. Right till the end, we don’t know how old they are, though we know that Adèle is probably in school, and Helen is already working and moving out from the family home in summer.
All in all, the complaints are quite minor. This middle-grade graphic novel offers a great package of characters, storyline and artwork for every young reader to be delighted. My daughters read the book along with me, and they loved it as well.
Definitely recommended to tweens and teens, looking for a fun story that goes much beyond light entertainment.
4.5 stars, happy to round up. (Not that I had a choice. I am under explicit instructions from the two not-so-little in-house bosses that this needs to be given a 5!)
My thanks to Random House Children's for providing the DRC of “Taxi Ghost” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
On an aside: While I do love graphic novels and rarely hesitate when I see an appealing cover, this book came into my agenda for a different reason: the cover reminded me of the movie ‘Heart and Soul.’ Anyone remembers that old comic fantasy from the early 1990s? It was the first time I saw Robert Downey Jr. act, but more than him, it is the story that impressed me as a child: the ghosts in the car. Seeing this cover made me nostalgic. Does anyone else remember that movie? I wonder how it will fare if I watch it now. 😊
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
October 22, 2024
I'm putting this on the horror shelf even though it's in no way horror! Just so I remember it when I'm looking for ghost stories!
This was actually, like her Witches of Brooklyn books, a super fun look at the supernatural. I love her illustration style, and I instantly liked both Adéle and her sister Helene. I also really liked the shoutout to the Witches of Brooklyn!
This was actually, like her Witches of Brooklyn books, a super fun look at the supernatural. I love her illustration style, and I instantly liked both Adéle and her sister Helene. I also really liked the shoutout to the Witches of Brooklyn!
December 20, 2025
Ik vond deze echt heel leuk!! Waarom hoor ik niemand over deze graphic novel praten?
September 15, 2024
Taxi Ghost is a super cute, laugh-out-loud funny, middle school graphic novel that tackles the topic of gentrification through the perspectives of a young new medium and an organization of ghosts. I loved the main character, and her willingness to help the ghosts.. I also loved her family, her grandmother, a community activist who avoids her gift, ghost-proofs her home, and her supportive older sister who can’t talk to spirits but wishes she could. I really enjoyed this one, and would recommend to all ages!
September 28, 2024
she's not an auto-buy author for nothing 😌🤲🏻💝
November 3, 2024
Cute and creative with good lessons about civic responsibility. A lot of telling and not much showing at the end of the day, but probably sufficient for middle grade readers.
October 10, 2024
Fun, light and with a soul.
October 12, 2024
Charming take on ghosts and being a medium. I love that we are shown a character who wishes she could see ghosts/is a ghost enthusiast, one who hates ghosts, and one who is neutral, our title character.
There's a plot involving gentrification that is a little unrealistic and cheesy, but it's a good time nonetheless.
There's a plot involving gentrification that is a little unrealistic and cheesy, but it's a good time nonetheless.
June 10, 2024
This was fun and unique. A girl has her first period and learns that she can see ghosts. She is what her family calls a medium and not everybody in her family has this special ability. She starts seeing ghosts in various places, makes friends with them, and helps solve a problem. This book looks both at family, at gentrification of neighborhoods, and how time changes. That’ll be checked out by kids for years to come.
September 2, 2024
The premise of this is cute and I think we need more puberty/menstruation books out there so this is much needed. I am all about ghosts so I thought I would love this; however, I think I missed out by reading the audio adaptation of this graphic novel as I imagine the images add a lot to the story. This left me just liking it but I would be open to rereading it in its original form. Thank you to Libro.fm for the ALC!
October 1, 2024
I knew we were in Montreal as soon as I read the word "dépanneur" in this terrific story about Adèle and her newfound ability to see ghosts.
It's winter break, and Adèle gets not only her period, and a party to celebrate it, but also a new, shocking ability: she can see ghosts. And that's not all: she comes from a long line of mediums.
Adèle discovers she can also talk to them, and pretty soon she becomes mixed up with both her grandmother's protest group to prevent a sleeazy developer from building a new condo, but also the ghosts, who are fighting the same fight. Adèle brings both groups toghether to save the neighbourhood.
Adèle is believable, worrying about her ability and her pimples. She loves books and going to the library, has a great relationship with her family, and communicates well and works with others to do the right thing.
I loved her sister Helen and her grandmother, both of whose personalities come through well in the illustrations, and who all love and support each other.
I also like the way the author Sophie Escabasse wove in gentrification and the way certain interests can change and harm cities, and how the people living in affected neighbourhoods have a voice in the makeup of where they live.
The author's illustrations are terrific, beautifully conveying emotions, with a variety of people, whether alive or deceased, with different body types.
I enjoyed this a lot, and highly recommend it.
It's winter break, and Adèle gets not only her period, and a party to celebrate it, but also a new, shocking ability: she can see ghosts. And that's not all: she comes from a long line of mediums.
Adèle discovers she can also talk to them, and pretty soon she becomes mixed up with both her grandmother's protest group to prevent a sleeazy developer from building a new condo, but also the ghosts, who are fighting the same fight. Adèle brings both groups toghether to save the neighbourhood.
Adèle is believable, worrying about her ability and her pimples. She loves books and going to the library, has a great relationship with her family, and communicates well and works with others to do the right thing.
I loved her sister Helen and her grandmother, both of whose personalities come through well in the illustrations, and who all love and support each other.
I also like the way the author Sophie Escabasse wove in gentrification and the way certain interests can change and harm cities, and how the people living in affected neighbourhoods have a voice in the makeup of where they live.
The author's illustrations are terrific, beautifully conveying emotions, with a variety of people, whether alive or deceased, with different body types.
I enjoyed this a lot, and highly recommend it.
January 27, 2025
A girl’s first period brings unexpected consequences in this MG graphic novel.
🚕
Adele loves spending time at her library and that’s all she wants to do this winter break, but life has other plans. When she gets her first period and starts seeing & hearing ghosts, Adele learns she’s from a long line of mediums. When one asks for a favor from her, it leads to more until she has her hands full trying to solve their problems!
👻
Precious. It was funny, the artwork was adorable and I loved the Witches of Brooklyn series so I knew I’d enjoy this one too. I actually listened to the audiobook as well since it had a full cast and I’m obsessed that graphic novels are getting this option as well because it was so well done! We need more of that in the audio world!
CW: death, gentrification, abandonment, grief, classism
🚕
Adele loves spending time at her library and that’s all she wants to do this winter break, but life has other plans. When she gets her first period and starts seeing & hearing ghosts, Adele learns she’s from a long line of mediums. When one asks for a favor from her, it leads to more until she has her hands full trying to solve their problems!
👻
Precious. It was funny, the artwork was adorable and I loved the Witches of Brooklyn series so I knew I’d enjoy this one too. I actually listened to the audiobook as well since it had a full cast and I’m obsessed that graphic novels are getting this option as well because it was so well done! We need more of that in the audio world!
CW: death, gentrification, abandonment, grief, classism
October 15, 2024
"Adèle just wants to spend her winter break at the library, cozied up with her favorite books, and completely forgetting abut her friends who are all traveling to warmer climates. Unfortunately, life has other plans...not only does Adèle get her first period...but she learns she comes from a long line of mediums!
And if seeing ghosts wasn't enough of a surprise, Adèle learns that not only can she interact with them, but apparently, they've been using her sister's car to get around the city for years! When the ghosts won't leave her alone Adèle starts to get to know about them and their problems. Maybe helping them out will be just what she needs for an exciting winter break!"
This is the author of The Witches of Brooklyn series, which I also love.
And if seeing ghosts wasn't enough of a surprise, Adèle learns that not only can she interact with them, but apparently, they've been using her sister's car to get around the city for years! When the ghosts won't leave her alone Adèle starts to get to know about them and their problems. Maybe helping them out will be just what she needs for an exciting winter break!"
This is the author of The Witches of Brooklyn series, which I also love.
September 15, 2024
[4.5 ⭐]
at this point, i would read ANYTHING by sophie escabasse with my eyes CLOSED 😳✋🏻
my fav thing about her books is her characters. so lively, so laugh-out-loud funny, so real; they could really jump out of the pages anytime! especially the grannies 🫶🏻
also, loved the social commentary on gentrification and the entire airbnb business that has a detrimental effect on cities and citizens alike. it was very refreshing to see sensitization around this matter!
lastly, i will NEVER shut up about how important it is to see positive period representation in children's / YA books! it's something so natural and, really, not a big deal so i love how it's recently started getting un-demonized and not treated as a taboo topic anymore in children's lit 💚
at this point, i would read ANYTHING by sophie escabasse with my eyes CLOSED 😳✋🏻
my fav thing about her books is her characters. so lively, so laugh-out-loud funny, so real; they could really jump out of the pages anytime! especially the grannies 🫶🏻
also, loved the social commentary on gentrification and the entire airbnb business that has a detrimental effect on cities and citizens alike. it was very refreshing to see sensitization around this matter!
lastly, i will NEVER shut up about how important it is to see positive period representation in children's / YA books! it's something so natural and, really, not a big deal so i love how it's recently started getting un-demonized and not treated as a taboo topic anymore in children's lit 💚
December 15, 2024
Ihana sarjis tytöstä, joka ensimmäisten kuukautistensa myötä saa kyvyn nähdä aaveita. Kyky kulkee suvussa, mutta Adèlen siskolla ei meedion taitoja ole. Isoäidillä puolestaan on, vaikka hän kieltäytyykin näkemästä aaveita saati puhumasta heidän kanssaan. Adèle laittaa verenperintönsä hyvään käyttöön ja auttaa erästä hyvin sitkeää herraa. Oma suosikkihahmoni oli kirjastossa hengaileva aave Ambrose, joka harrastaa hakkerointia.
November 25, 2025
I found this book when looking for middle-grade graphic novels about social issues (in this case, gentrification and urban planning). For the middle-grade audience, it’s not really an intro into those topics; gentrification is there, but it won’t be clear to a sixth grader by the end of the story. So for my purposes, the book was a slight disappointment. But that being said, it’s not amazing in story or characterization. Everything (for me) was just fine.
My favorite thing, though, was the illustrations. I really liked the “vibes” of the book and appreciated the look of the streets—buildings, snow, etc. The city felt real.
My favorite thing, though, was the illustrations. I really liked the “vibes” of the book and appreciated the look of the streets—buildings, snow, etc. The city felt real.
January 11, 2026
Content warnings: gentrification, death (in the past), classism
Well this was lovely. The whole idea of ghosts not being able to walk around in the snow of a Montreal winter and hitching rides with cars heading in the right direction was delightful, and then you add in a tween medium trying to work out her powers on top of that and you've got yourself one hell of a good time. I had a lot of fun with this!
Well this was lovely. The whole idea of ghosts not being able to walk around in the snow of a Montreal winter and hitching rides with cars heading in the right direction was delightful, and then you add in a tween medium trying to work out her powers on top of that and you've got yourself one hell of a good time. I had a lot of fun with this!
September 30, 2024
4.5/5
There's something about Escabasse's stories that I love. Her Witches of Brooklyn is one of my fave graphic novel series, and this new story definitely meets my expectations.
Adele's discovery of ghosts, and her willingness to listen to people who no longer have a voice made such a good story. I love how her family and the ghosts helped to make changes for the betterment of the community.
There's something about Escabasse's stories that I love. Her Witches of Brooklyn is one of my fave graphic novel series, and this new story definitely meets my expectations.
Adele's discovery of ghosts, and her willingness to listen to people who no longer have a voice made such a good story. I love how her family and the ghosts helped to make changes for the betterment of the community.
September 8, 2024
Kinda weird, kinda cute. Mostly weird, though. Not at all what I was expecting, but the message of the story is very important. 3.5 stars rounded up.
September 10, 2024
This was super cute! I loved the cozy, wintry atmosphere and the conversations about gentrification. Would recommend to young readers who are looking for books that bridge between children's and YA.
December 20, 2024
4.5★
It was actually a really good non creepy ghost read
It was actually a really good non creepy ghost read
February 10, 2025
Taxi Ghost
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 5.57/10 overall
Characters - 5
Atmosphere - 6
Writing - 6
Plot - 5
Intrigue - 6
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 5
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 5.57/10 overall
Characters - 5
Atmosphere - 6
Writing - 6
Plot - 5
Intrigue - 6
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 5
Read
June 14, 2025Menstruation with a side of mediumship. ESP wit dat PMS.
4⭐️
4⭐️
June 15, 2025
Cute, fast, and fun!
June 23, 2025
Rating: 3.5/5
September 17, 2025
Fun story, well-developed characters, interesting and unique.
February 9, 2026
It had no plot. It suck’s
August 11, 2024
Taxi Ghost follows a young medium as she first begins to see ghosts. I love how colorful and detailed the illustrations are, and I found the story to be very heartwarming.
I received an ARC from Random House Children's | Random House Graphic via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC from Random House Children's | Random House Graphic via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2025
4⭐️ ~ This was a really fun graphic novel! I liked the plot, and the illustrations were lovely!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews