Almost American Girl: An Illustrated Memoir

Harvey Award Nominee, Best Children or Young Adult Book A powerful and moving teen graphic novel memoir about immigration, belonging, and how arts can save a lifeperfect for fans of American Born Chinese and Hey, Kiddo. For as long as she can remember, its been Robin and her mom against the world. Growing up as the only child of a single mother in Seoul, Korea, wasnt always easy, but it has bonded them fiercely together. So when a vacation to visit friends in Huntsville, Alabama, unexpectedly becomes a permanent relocationfollowing her mothers announcement that shes getting marriedRobin is devastated. Overnight, her life changes. She is dropped into a new school where she doesnt understand the language and struggles to keep up. She is completely cut off from her friends in Seoul and has no access to her beloved comics. At home, she doesnt fit in with her new stepfamily, and worst of all, she is furious with the one person she is closest toher mother. Then one day Robins mother enrolls her in a local comic drawing class, which opens the window to a future Robin could never have imagined. This nonfiction graphic novel with four starred reviews is an excellent choice for teens and also accelerated tween readers, both for independent reading and units on immigration, memoirs, and the search for identity.