Skeletina and the In-Between World (Skeletina and the In-Between World #1)

Susie Jaramillo's artwork is captivating, with details, bold colors, and intricate use of delicate grays and blacks that result in an ethereal look.

A playful story full of Latinx cultural touchstones.

Skeletina is a self-sufficient skeleton girl who lives in the in-between: a place of the dreams of sleeping children, the realm of the deceased with unfinished business, and home to all sorts of weird creatures and manifestations. "But, nothing scares Skeletina, although many of the odd creatures in the in-between world have definitely tried! And speaking of odd creatures, some of them are even her best friends." Skeletina is meant to be seen as a guide or comforting character for children to seek out when they are in the in-between, which is presented not as a scary place, but one where they can have their own agency. However, this idea barely comes through in the disorganized text, which doesn't immediately place Skeletina in the role of guide. Overuse of run-on sentences create a disjointed feel: "She knows that when she fears that someone is trying to sneak into her house, it is usually the shadow Creepers, who is just lonely and needs attention. Skeletina plays music for him and his eyes grow wide in surprise as he listens. Then he usually smiles and disappears as fast as he comes." Asibikaashi or Spider Woman, here presented as Skeletina's Spider Grandma, inspires the child to create beautiful webs—dream catchers. Spider Grandma embodies a sort of Native wise-woman stereotype, wearing fringed moccasins, chunky rings, bracelets, and a feathered dream catcher necklace. VERDICT Charming pen-and-ink illustrations are comic, but can't rescue the story from veering from a celebration of Latinx culture into appropriation of the Ojibwe. Not recommended for purchase.—Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Lib., MN

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Susie Jaramillo's artwork is captivating, with details, bold colors, and intricate use of delicate grays and blacks that result in an ethereal look." - Kirkus

"Bursting with color and an emphasis on the fact that the world in-between can be shaped and molded however the dreamer wishes. A playful story full of Latinx cultural touchstones." - Booklist

"Engaging, energetic, illustrations draw in young readers with kindness and empathy. . . Skeletina and the In-Between World is a wonderful way to start conversations about managing anxiety, missing people we care about, and other things that weigh on young kids' minds." - Common Sense Media, A Common Sense Selection for Books for Families

"An excellent tool to help children struggling with nightmares and fear." - YA and Kids Book Central

"I love how Skeletina and the In-Between World is inspired by Mexico's Day of the Dead, but most importantly that I can read this book to my daughter and it will not only entertain and delight, but also inspire conversations about our fears and how to face them." - Eugenio Derbez, Actor, Director and Producer, 3Pas Studios

"There's something deeply comforting about being led by the hand through the weird, wild, and downright bizarre by a pigtailed skeleton girl. I can think of no better book upon whom to bestow the phrase 'otherworldly charm'. Tim Burton-meets-Coco, and it's all thanks to the in-between world's most charming little skeleton." - Betsy Bird

"I absolutely love how Susie merges the In-Between World and the seemingly scary and unfamiliar to inspire children (and us adults too!) to find magic and comfort in the things we may not understand." - Valery Ortiz, Actress, Disney's Gabby Duran and the Unsittables

"Kids and parents will be mesmerized by the beautiful characters and brilliant colors that pop off the page. And the storyline will resonate with both children and caregivers who are exploring the world through different cultures and perspectives of childhood. A must read for all families and kids." - Anna Maria Chavez, Former CEO, Girl Scouts of America

"Susie Jaramillo has created such a cinematic universe—uniquely rendered but universally appealing. It's magical and delightful and with so much substance as well. Any kid will love to explore this world and any parent should feel great about the lessons it's teaching them about facing their fears." - Ben Odell, Film & TV Producer, 3pas Studios

"With vibrant illustrations, Skeletina and the In-Between World brings children to a whimsical place where they can allay their fears and anxieties alongside a playful new friend, Skeletina. The characters and storylines in the easy-to-digest prose are very relatable and translate across cultures. This is a gentle read that will surely become a must-have." —Eugenia Miranda Richman, Editor-in-Chief, SheKnows