Bumpy Oak Books

**spoiler alert**

**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.**

4 stars

Brenna Thummler returns to the world of Sheets with its sequel, Delicates. Readers continue to follow Marjorie as she enters the eighth grade and joins student council. Wendell the ghost struggles with feeling left behind now that Marjorie has live friends, and Eliza is introduced as a new character.

Where the first book, Sheets, dealt heavily with grief and the process of Marjorie dealing with the loss of her mother, Delicates also handles heavy topics in an accessible way. Delicates focuses heavily on Eliza who is ostracized and bullied for being different. I was unclear if Eliza is meant to be neurodivergent, but I feel that regardless of whether the coding is intentional that anyone who has ever been bullied or felt like they don’t belong can identify with her experience.

Delicates addresses bullying and how those who stand by and watch have responsibility as well. It also addresses seeking help for suicidal ideation. The topics are handled tactfully, respectfully, and in a manner that will easily be understood by children of similar age to Marjorie and Eliza. In addition, Wendell and Marjorie have revelations about maintaining friendships that have been present and supportive even as new friends are made.

The art style is whimsical and accentuated by a muted color palette heavy in pastels. Characters with various body types and ethnic and racial backgrounds are included as well.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this sequel and would recommend it for anyone middle school aged and older.