Anya's Ghost - Vera Brosgol 
 Rating: 
 (view spoiler)[Skipping class one day, Anya Borzakovskaya falls into a well and meets Emily, a girl who died almost a century ago. After the initial shock of being haunted by a ghost, Anya realizes that her new friend can help her get better grades and maybe a hot boyfriend, but Emily - whose claim to have been murdered hides a more horrible truth - however has her own idea of what Anya's life should be and starts to threaten Anya's family to get her to do what she wants, until Anya confronts her and helps her move on. (hide spoiler)] 
 This coming-of-age story with its paranormal touch was highly enjoyable and Anya, with her struggles to fit in (disassociating herself from her Russian heritage, wanting to be friends with the "right" people, worrying about body image), was remarkably relatable. I liked how Emily seemed to gain power and changed her appearance as she overtook Anya's life, making me wonder what would have happened if the situation had continued. I also enjoyed the art style, which uses only shades of purple. My only wish would have been to see more of Anya's new self confidence at the end. 
 "I don't think murder is an appropriate reaction to disappointment."