Character Names
The name of the older sister.
What is Cat (Catrina)?
Cat and Maya move to this foggy coastal town for the sake of Maya’s health.
What is Bahía de la Luna?
The novel's celebration of the Day of the Dead helps Cat and Maya understand this inevitable part of life.
What is death?
Cat and Maya move to Bahía de la Luna because of Maya's health condition, which affects this part of her body.
What are her lungs?
This object, often seen on the Day of the Dead altars, symbolizes remembrance and the connection between the living and the dead.
What are photographs?
The name of the younger sister.
What is Maya?
The coastal air in Bahía de la Luna is said to help Maya breathe because she has this illness.
What is cystic fibrosis?
The relationship between Cat and Maya is an example of this theme, often central to the story.
What is family?
During the Day of the Dead festival, Maya desperately wants to meet and talk to these.
What are the ghosts (or spirits of the dead)?
This beverage, which Maya and the ghosts share, symbolizes comfort and warmth in both life and death.
What is hot chocolate?
The name of the neighbor boy.
What is Carlos?
This cultural festival is central to the town and brings ghosts and people together to celebrate.
What is the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos)?
Cat’s fear of ghosts is symbolic of her deeper fear of losing this person.
Who is Maya?
At first, Cat is terrified of the ghosts, but by the end of the story, she learns to do this.
What is face her fears?
The Day of the Dead altars are decorated with these orange flowers, which are traditionally used to guide spirits back to the world of the living.
What are marigolds?
The name of the sisters' mom.
What is Leona?
Bahía de la Luna is known for having lots of this weather phenomenon, which adds to its spooky atmosphere.
What is fog?
This theme is highlighted by Maya’s optimistic attitude toward life, even though she faces a serious illness.
perseverance (or a positive mindset)?
This event is when the spirits of the dead are said to return to visit the living.
What is the Day of the Dead festival?
This traditional Mexican bread, often made for the Day of the Dead, symbolizes the nurturing bond between the living and their ancestors.
What is pan de muerto (bread of the dead)?
The name of Seo Young's brother.
What is Jae?
This location in the town is where Cat first encounters the ghosts.
What is the old mission?
Through the town's celebration of Día de los Muertos, this theme of cultural identity is emphasized.
What is Mexican heritage (or tradition)?
Maya has to stay home during the Day of the Dead celebration because she uses this medical device to help her breathe.
What is an oxygen tank?
The wind that often accompanies the appearance of the ghosts symbolizes this, representing change and the transition between life and death.
What is the breath of life (or the spirit)?