Nearly 70 Alta High students filed in after school to welcome graphic novelist Joanna Taylor share insights into her first book, “The Ghostkeeper.” 

It marked Taylor’s first school visit after months of coordination and planning with Alta librarian Amanda Siler, whose goal is to build a strong reading community through meaningful author connections.

Taylor’s graphic novel, which was released in July 2024, blends fantasy with mental-health themes and was inspired by Oscar Wilde’s “The Canterville Ghost.”

“I thought what if someone’s job was to go to haunted houses and ask the ghosts about their feelings,” Taylor said.

Siler summarized it as “the story of a therapist for ghosts who helps them cope with grief, death and regret, so they can move on to the next life while also grappling with his own mental health struggles.” She added the book “discusses coping skills, real therapeutic techniques and boundary-setting through a Victorian fantasy backdrop.”

Alta High sophomore Shelby Bennion said she “absolutely loved it,” especially how the story came together at the end.

Taylor took an unconventional path to becoming an author. Originally, pursuing animation at Brigham Young University with dreams of working for Pixar or Disney, she was forced to pivot following a repetitive strain injury. That led her toward illustration work and comics. 

During COVID-19, she saw a pitching event on Twitter.

“I had a lot of time on my hands, so I decided I’m going to take a big swing,” she said. 

That leap resulted in a book deal with Penguin. Taylor committed to the project by quitting her job and working on the book full time. She wrote and illustrated the book with Micah Myers serving as the book’s letterer.

After her book presentation, Taylor answered questions ranging from her writing process to the theme of healing. She revealed that initially she had her villain survive, but she knew he needed to die.

“He met his fate in a poetic way,” she said. “But I knew Dorian (the therapist) would survive and make amends. He needed to come to terms with the abuse and make some measure of peace. He learned he needed to do his part with a clear conscience, but the healing comes from within.”

Alta junior Taylor Boudruau said the book felt realistic in its portrayal of mental health.

“It had a really unique premise, and she showed with the characters how things can spiral out of control fast,” Boudruau said. 

After answering questions, Taylor autographed books for a long line of students, joking she had “practiced my signature for today’s signing” and shared with the students about her possible sequels and other graphic novels in the works.

Siler said graphic novels have become one of the most popular formats in the library.

“There’s been a ton of research that shows graphic novels support visual literacy,” she said. “It supports storytelling; it supports narrative. It gives all the things we hope students obtain from reading, but in a more visual way.”

Taylor’s visit was part of Alta’s monthly book club meeting, which includes not only students, but staff. It’s a place of inclusion and creativity—and belonging.

“Book club is my absolute favorite thing I do at school,” said junior Ainsley Gorringe. “You get free books and meet great people and it’s a community where everyone is welcome. It’s a place we can go and geek out and feel nerdy, and nobody is going to judge you.”

The club regularly hosts themed activities, such as creating ghosts around the library that were inspired by “The Ghostkeeper.”

Senior Afton Harrison said the club also encourages students to explore new genres.

“We have a certain genre to read every month,” she said. “Normally, I read fantasy and romance, but in book club, I read graphic novels and historical fiction and mystery—stuff I typically wouldn’t read.”

Alta High junior Cooper Collings agrees: “Coming to book club helps me find new books and helps me branch out on what I read.”

Senior Lucy Denzer adds that it’s not just books that expand horizons for some students: “It’s socially too. Some students are so quiet until they come and find common interests here.”

Siler said that fostering this environment is intentional.

“One of my primary goals as a librarian is that students can have a positive experience with reading and in the library,” she said. “If I can get students excited about reading, have authors come and have fun engaging activities to make it a community, more students engage and see themselves as readers.”