Gr 6 Up-Samanci's graphic novel memoir is a humorous and moving portrayal of coming-of-age in Turkey in the turbulent 1980s. The story makes the political personal in ways that are perfectly accessible to young teens. Samanci's narrative is peppered with engaging details of her childhood experiences, including her relationships with her parents, uncle, and sister; the grueling educational system; and the difficult reality of growing up female in a politically and religiously polarized society. Throughout it all, Samanci struggles with her conflicting desires for success, happiness, and, above all, the approval of her critical father. The style of cartoon illustration combined with mixed media is used to great effect. In several places, the author employs rubber stamps to create pictures of people and concepts that were important to her when she was a child. The muted color scheme and stark backgrounds evoke the political and cultural tone of Turkish society. While there is some violence, it is used sparingly and is presented as an integral part of the narrative. VERDICT In the growing body of graphic novel memoirs, this one is a standout. Maggi Rohde, Ann Arbor Public Schools, MI

Growing up, Özge knew what she should do: study hard, get into a good high school, and become an engineer or a doctor. That was the only way her father believed she would have a good life, where she wouldn't have to worry about money or stability. Özge's sister, Pelin, believed that, too, but when Özge tried to follow Pelin down that steady, predictable path, she met failure, time and again. Özge recalls her earliest memories of happily watching Pelin at school through binoculars from the balcony of her building and works her way through the turbulence of Turkey in the late twentieth century as she struggles to please both herself and her family. Her art is an intriguing mix of doodle-like line drawings and mixed-media compositions made of paper, rocks, stamps, and more to build a picture of a world where the politics might seem unfamiliar but the family dynamics and personal relationships are universally recognizable. The rather abrupt ending will leave budding artists and rebels hoping for a sequel.