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Cover of Sheets

Age rating and parents' guide:Sheets

by Brenna Thummler

Ages 12–14

Sheets by Brenna Thummler is best for children aged 12–14. It has no violence, a few mildly scary moments, no romance and no bad language. Worth knowing: Grief theme.

Thirteen-year-old Marjorie Glatt is barely keeping things together. While dealing with the loss of her mother and an overwhelmed father, she is forced to run the family laundromat, all while facing pressure from a sleazy local businessman and cruel classmates. Enter Wendell, a young ghost wrapped in a sheet who longs for friendship but inadvertently wreaks havoc on Marjorie's wash cycles. With its soft pastel palette and poignant storytelling, this graphic novel balances gentle whimsy with tender, relatable reflections on grief, loneliness, and hope.

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Content ratings

How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.

Violence
None
Scary moments
Mild
Romance
None
Bad language
None

Worth knowing: Grief theme

Dhiraj Bodade

Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on 21 September 2026.

At a glance

  • ★Graphic novel
  • ★A steady start that picks up quickly
  • ★Pictures on almost every page
  • ★Emotionally light
  • ★A good pick for reluctant readers

Great for kids who like

  • Family
  • Emotions & empathy
  • Visual storytelling

Reading mood

  • Playful

Good to talk about

  • Family
  • Emotions & empathy

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  • Cover of Holes

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    Holes

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    Stanley Yelnats is plagued by bad luck, thanks to a curse placed on his great-great-grandfather. Sent to Camp Green Lake, a brutal juvenile detention facility in the middle of a dried-up desert lake bed, boys are forced to dig one five-foot hole every day. Stanley soon suspects the cruel Warden is secretly hunting for buried treasure. With clever, interlocking timelines and a dry, witty narrative voice, this absorbing story balances hardship with humor and deep friendship.

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  • Cover of Ghosts

    Ages 9–14

    Ghosts

    by Raina Telgemeier

    Catrina and her family move to a foggy coastal town because the salty air might help her younger sister, Maya, who has cystic fibrosis. Cat wants nothing to do with the local rumors about real spirits walking the streets, but Maya is eager to meet one. As the Day of the Dead approaches, Cat must confront her deepest worries about her sister's health. It balances genuine emotional weight with warmth, sibling love, and gentle supernatural mystery.

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    Ages 9–14

    Measuring Up

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    Front Desk

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    Ten-year-old Mia Tang lives in a motel where her immigrant parents work, managing the front desk while hiding secrets, including undocumented guests. Mia dreams of being a writer despite her mother's doubts and the daily racism and poverty her family faces. With resilience, humor, and heart, she uses her words to fight for fairness and support her community. Readers love Mia's brave, optimistic voice and the engaging, relatable look at friendship, family, and overcoming tough odds.

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Questions parents ask

Q: What age is Sheets for?
Sheets suits children aged 12–14. It is a graphic novel: a steady start that picks up quickly, pictures on almost every page.
Q: Is Sheets appropriate for a 12 year old?
Yes. Bookstaken rates it for ages 12–14. It has no violence, a few mildly scary moments, no romance and no bad language. Worth knowing before reading: Grief theme.
Q: What should my child read after Sheets?
Try The Arrival, Holes and Ghosts. They share the same kind of story and suit the same ages.
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