Fall Reading 2013 Will-o-the-Wisp

Will-o-the-Wisp is a graphic novel by Tom Hammock and Megan Hutchison. Aurora Grimeon is orphaned by the accidental poisoning of her parents (they picked wild mushrooms to put in pasta sauce and chose the wrong kind). She is sent to live with the grandfather she has never met on spooky Ossuary Isle. From the other residents of the island she learns that it was used as a cemetery there in the swamps, back before cremations became more common. Aurora slowly makes friends with some of her grandfather's neighbors like the Devereaux family and the local hoodoo woman, Mama Nonnie. For those of us who have never lived in the southern swamps, hoodoo and voodoo sound a lot alike. Mama Nonnie makes spells and charms for protection from evil spirits and bad luck. Since her grandfather is busy making molds of old bones for scientific study and other odd experiments, Aurora spends time with Nonnie and begins following her advice to protect herself and grandfather. It turns out to be a good thing that Aurora has listened to Nonnie when a vengeful spirit returns from the grave and begins killing the islanders.

If you like shows like "Grimm", "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", or "Supernatural", then this is probably something you will enjoy. The publishers recommend it for teens/YA and I agree that it might be too creepy for younger readers. I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley. The book will be published December 3, 2013.  The publishers webpage for the book has more information and they have a trailer. There is also an interview with the author and illustrator talking about the story.