NPR's Book of the Day In Meg Medina’s new young adult novel, a 13-year-old girl becomes a sea ghost
Sep 11, 2025
Meg Medina, a Newbery Medal-winning author and former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, discusses her latest work, 'Graciela in the Abyss.' The captivating story follows 13-year-old Graciela, who transforms into a sea ghost after an unexpected fall. Medina explores profound themes such as death, transformation, and the significance of friendship through Graciela's journey. She also shares insights from her lengthy creative process, emphasizing the importance of resilience and imagination in writing for young audiences.
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Origin: A Century-Long Awakening
- Graciela is blown off a cliff at 13 and sinks to the ocean floor, then awakens a century later as a translucent sea spirit.
- Meg Medina uses this origin to set up a watery afterlife that begins the novel's exploration of life and community.
Afterlife As Purposeful Work
- The afterlife in the book is structured: spirits sleep a hundred years then take on roles that sustain the sea's balance.
- Graciela becomes a glazier, turning trash into sea glass that connects the dead's work to the living's discoveries.
Be Honest With Young Readers
- Don't shy away from hard subjects with young readers; tell them the truth about death and suffering when appropriate.
- Focus stories on how characters choose to live afterward rather than avoiding difficult topics altogether.
