Graciela in the Abyss

Newbery Medalist Meg Medina delivers a thrilling fantasy adventure about an unlikely duo: Graciela, a young sea ghost who has lived for over a century, and Jorge, a twelve-year-old mortal boy with a deep fear of the ocean. Their worlds collide when Jorge discovers an enchanted harpoon capable of harming sea ghosts, accidentally reuniting it with its vengeful creator. Graciela and Jorge must overcome their fears and differences to work together, venturing into the abyss to prevent evil spirits from destroying both the living and the dead. This action-packed story explores themes of bravery, teamwork, and finding inner strength, making it ideal for readers aged 8-11 and a compelling read-aloud for younger children.

"A thrilling, action-packed journey filled with heart, bravery, and ghostly exploits." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) A sea ghost, a mortal boy, and a dangerous enchanted harpoon . . . A Newbery Medalist takes us far beneath the waves in this extraordinary foray into fantasy. In the deepest recesses of the ocean, Graciela—once an ordinary girl—now makes sea glass and assists her friend, Amina, as she welcomes newly awakened sea ghosts from their death sleep. Though Graciela’s spirit is young, she has lived at the bottom of the ocean for more than a hundred years. Meanwhile, in the mortal world on land, twelve-year-old Jorge Leon works in his family’s forge. He’s heard of the supernatural spirits living beneath the ocean’s waves—tales that do nothing to quell his fear of the water. But when Jorge discovers a hand-wrought harpoon with the power to spear a sea ghost, he knows he must destroy it any way he can. When the harpoon is accidentally reunited with its vengeful creator, unlikely allies Graciela and Jorge have no choice but to work together to keep evil spirits from wreaking havoc on both the living and the dead. If only the answer to saving what they care about didn’t lie within the depths of the abyss . . . Newbery Medal winner Meg Medina and illustrators Anna and Elena Balbusso have crafted a thoughtful tale infused with magic and high-stakes adventure that will leave readers wondering what power lies in the depths of the ocean—and inside each of us.