almost American Girl (Balzer + Bray, 2020) by Robin Ha is a fascinating graphic memoir of one girl’s life. I learned a lot about Korean culture and had such empathy for Chuna.
Chuna and her mother often travel. This time they’re going to Alabama which Chuna hasn’t even heard of. But it isn’t just a visit as Chuna thinks–they’re going to stay. Trying to fit in with a new family, new school, and new country when she barely speaks English is very tough. One consolation is getting to pick a new name, Robin. After many tears, a comics drawing class makes a huge difference in her life.
Don’t miss the acknowledgements at the end. They are well worth reading, too. I wish this book was required reading for everyone.
Robin Ha is a cartoonist–read more about her here. See her work here.
Roller Girl (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2015) by Victoria Jamieson is such a delightful story of hard work, heart, old and new friends, and roller derby! The drawings are fun and really bring the story to life. If you’ve never read a graphic novel, this is the perfect one to start with. Really!
“Imagination is the highest kite that one can fly,” Lauren Bacall once said. Not only is English author/illustrator Alan Snow flying high in his book Here Be Monsters (Atheneum, 2005) but he’s definitely having fun and giving the reader a good time as well. The middle grade graphic novel has a whole cast of interesting characters that live in the city of Ratbridge. We get to meet most of them through a boy named Arthur, who came above ground to get food for himself and his grandfather. Arthur is captured by Snatcher and the Hunt, while they’re out hunting cheeses. Yes, you heard right. Not only will you meet cheeses, but Mr. Nibble, some friendly boxtrolls, a cabbage head or two, some fresh water sea cows, the rabbit women, and the rats and pirates from the Ratbridge Nautical Laundry.