Graphic Novel: Almost American Girl by Robin Ha

Sometimes, adults need to read books with pictures. Or at least I do. And I was pleased to find Robin Ha's Almost American Girl: An Illustrated Memoir. Graphic novels and memoirs are a fantastic way to portray a story, and it can certainly be fun to see classic novels converted into the sequential art format (such as A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle, or Kindred by Octavia E. Butler). I was certainly excited to read about a young Korean girl's experience as she is unexpectedly brought to the U.S.

Genre, Themes, History: This graphic novel is mostly set in the mid-1990's, when Robin's world is turned upside-down after what was supposed to be a vacation to Alabama. When her mother declares that the two of them will actually not be returning to their former home in Seoul, South Korea, Robin naturally feels confused, angry, and betrayed. In Korea, Robin had her friends, her favorite shops, her favorite foods, her favorite comics, and her mother. Their life was simple, and it had its complications, but it was enough. Now she has a step-sister who she has a hard time communicating with, and step-cousins who act as if she is not there. English proves difficult to learn, and the kids at school are making fitting in nearly impossible. But probably worst of all, Robin is angry with her mother, and their close relationship has changed. Robin's difficulties in the U.S. are only part of the story. There is also her mother's history and the many decisions she has made that have led to this, as well as the criticism both of them endured while they lived in Korea because Robin's father was not around. Something Robin was always able to turn to in Korea were her favorite comic books, and it is not until she begins making friends in a comic book class that she starts to feel comfortable in the U.S. 

My Verdict: This memoir is both lovely and heartbreaking, hopeful and despairing. The artwork is absolutely gorgeous, and it brings the story to life in the best way. While portraying her struggles with her new life in the U.S., Ha brings across the difficulties with the language barrier, the culture shock, and of course, her issues with her mother. But Ha does not stop there. Sure, a teenager from another country is going to have a hard time adjusting to the relentless and unforgiving high school environment, but Ha makes it clear that life in South Korea would not have been ideal either, mostly because of the culture's expectations for women. Robin may be the center of the story, but there is so much more to it than only her experience. I would have loved for it to continue for a few more chapters.   

Favorite Moment: Honestly, I loved the acknowledgements. I mean, I loved the entire book, but the acknowledgements were not simply a running list of all of the people that helped the author bring this book to life. The majority of it tells the story of what it was like trying to talk to her mother about the experiences that are included in the book, and how difficult those kinds of conversations can be for anyone attempting to write a memoir. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui, a graphic memoir that follows a family's journey from South Vietnam to a new life in the U.S.