Starred Review "And, sure, my life could've turned out any number of ways if I hadn't been given up for adoption," debut graphic novelist Myer muses. "But this is the story of how I came to decide for myself who I am and who I want to be." Born in South Korea as Kim Ok-Kil, Myer arrived as an infant in August 1986 in "super rural" Baltimore County, Maryland, as the younger daughter of a white couple with another adopted Korean child. Recalling her upbringing as a young adult gives Myer the self-awareness d the vocabulary describe more accurately her experiences. She had a "hyperactive imagination" that fueled nightmares; a "constant, underlying, anxious desire to impress"; and battled "shame and loneliness." Ultimately, she "internalize[d her] emotions . . . with monstrous results." Although her parents remembered her as a happy child, "things never remained blissful for long." Growing up in a homogenous community meant being relentlessly bullied, hassled, and targeted. Anger, even violence, was part of Myer's armor. Drawing, anime, and manga were the tools that helped her survive. Her powerful memoir is an empathic gift, presented in full technicolor with never-static panels, showcasing raw energy. As specific as her personal history is, her audiences should prove notably broad: "This story doesn't just belong to me," she adds in her author's note, "it is for all who feel or have felt like an outsider."

An adopted teen struggles with monstrous submerged anger amid bullying and self-criticism in this graphic memoir.Author Myer, South Korean by birth, grew up in rural Maryland with White adoptive parents and a sister, Lizzy, who was adopted from a different South Korean family. Unlike Lizzy, who was popular and did well in school, rambunctious Sarah didn't quite fit in, playing more easily with boys than girls. However, a wildly vivid imagination and burgeoning artistic talents helped Sarah interact with others; Sarah's focus on drawing and animation wasn't just a hobby, but a passion and an ongoing lens for relating to the outside world. Sarah's use of anime cosplay to explore curiosity about gender expression and sexuality skillfully expresses central elements of the book and adds complexity to this coming-of-age story. The frequent racial microaggressions of early childhood escalated over time, with racist and homophobic White middle and high schoolers insulting, physically bullying, and harassing Sarah on a daily basis. As Sarah internalized this hatred, it was magnified by self-doubt, much of which was centered around being adopted, and it began to manifest as an angry, monstrous self that lashed out violently at bullies, friends, and even family. The themes of anxiety and self-image are powerfully depicted by contrasting the more minimalist drawing style in fairly neutral tones with dramatically shaded and dynamic panels.Immersive and engrossing: a beautifully depicted emotional journey. (resources, author's note, photos) (Graphic memoir. 13-18)

Gr 8 Up— Korean American Myer recounts their childhood dealing with racism and questions about their sexuality in this graphic memoir. Myer (using she/her pronouns during the events of the narrative) and her older sister were both born in South Korea, but adopted as infants by a white couple who live in rural Maryland. While Myer's sister seems to have an easier time with her peers, the author struggles from an early age. She finds a level of acceptance as a talented artist, but as an early fan of anime and cosplay, struggles to fit in at school, particularly in the face of blatant racism that goes ignored by the staff. Myer acts out often and has a long road to self-acceptance, but her loving parents support her interests, and she earns a hard-won redemption as she heads off to college. The illustrations are well done and contrast her everyday life with vividly colored manga-inspired art in her dream world. As the narration unfolds, the title and front cover will come into focus as her self-hatred builds. Teachers and librarians should put this book in the hands of youth to whom they know it could make a difference, given the unflinching truth found within the pages. The resources listed at the end are an additional bonus. VERDICT For fans of Jarrett Krosoczka's Hey, Kiddo and Robin Ha's Almost American Girl , this coming-of-age memoir will appeal to youth who are struggling with their identity. This engaging graphic novel is a recommended purchase for all libraries.— Nancy McKay

An adopted teen struggles with monstrous submerged anger amid bullying and self-criticism in this graphic memoir.Author Myer, South Korean by birth, grew up in rural Maryland with White adoptive parents and a sister, Lizzy, who was adopted from a different South Korean family. Unlike Lizzy, who was popular and did well in school, rambunctious Sarah didn't quite fit in, playing more easily with boys than girls. However, a wildly vivid imagination and burgeoning artistic talents helped Sarah interact with others; Sarah's focus on drawing and animation wasn't just a hobby, but a passion and an ongoing lens for relating to the outside world. Sarah's use of anime cosplay to explore curiosity about gender expression and sexuality skillfully expresses central elements of the book and adds complexity to this coming-of-age story. The frequent racial microaggressions of early childhood escalated over time, with racist and homophobic White middle and high schoolers insulting, physically bullying, and harassing Sarah on a daily basis. As Sarah internalized this hatred, it was magnified by self-doubt, much of which was centered around being adopted, and it began to manifest as an angry, monstrous self that lashed out violently at bullies, friends, and even family. The themes of anxiety and self-image are powerfully depicted by contrasting the more minimalist drawing style in fairly neutral tones with dramatically shaded and dynamic panels.Immersive and engrossing: a beautifully depicted emotional journey. (resources, author's note, photos) (Graphic memoir. 13-18)