The second volume of this graphic novel series continues the story of a boy named Barney (who happens to be trans), his friend Norma, his talking dog Pugsley, and their adventures at the actually-haunted haunted house attraction where they work.
In this installment, angels and demons have decided to use the park as the site of their wrestling league, and Norma must confront them and the literal and figurative ghosts of her past. The story is silly and fun, but with some insightful thoughts about the nature of good and evil and the power of found family (despite the frustrations that families can also bring).
This is rated as a YA book; I am making an exception and including it here because many middle-grade readers (and their adults) may learn of it via the Netflix show based on the series and/or wonder if its graphic format skews it younger than YA. I don’t think there’s anything wildly inappropriate for middle grade readers here, though some of the scarier parts mean it is likely best for the older end of that age range and up.
Barney is White and also cued as Jewish (he wears a Hanukkah sweater at one point in the first book). Norma is South Asian (and also autistic); another character is Muslim and wears a hijab. Logan is Asian.
