Age: 7th-12th grade

Nobody seems to appreciate the effort that Annushka Borzakovskaya, or Anya outside the home, seems to be taking to fit in to American life. Since Kindergarten, she's managed to rid herself of her accent, dress like her classmates, eat like her classmates separating herself from her Russian heritage. But she still cannot get the dreamy basketball star and her only true friend is as disgruntled as she is. With all this on her mind, Anya doesn't see the well before she's falling down it. Little does she expect a ghost to be waiting for her at the bottom who wants a friend more than anything.

The drawings are full of expression and character and are as essential to the story as the words. Occasionally, Brosgol skillfully employs the effect of movement by subverting traditional placement of panels--a perfect touch to essential scenes. The humor is sarcastic and angsty without be overbearing and melodramatic.

This story uses a unique and exciting plot to address young immigrants acclimating to the U.S.