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Almost American Girl
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Graphic Novels & Comics (2020)A powerful and timely teen graphic novel memoir—perfect for fans of American Born Chinese and Hey, Kiddo—about a Korean-born, non-English-speaking girl who is abruptly transplanted from Seoul to Huntsville, Alabama, and struggles with extreme culture shock and isolation, until she discovers her passion for comic arts.
For as long as she can remember, it’s been Robin and her mom against the world. Growing up in the 1990s as the only child of a single mother in Seoul, Korea, wasn’t always easy, but it has bonded them fiercely together.
So when a vacation to visit friends in Huntsville, Alabama, unexpectedly becomes a permanent relocation—following her mother’s announcement that she’s getting married—Robin is devastated. Overnight, her life changes. She is dropped into a new school where she doesn’t understand the language and struggles to keep up. She is completely cut off from her friends at home and has no access to her beloved comics. At home, she doesn’t fit in with her new stepfamily. And worst of all, she is furious with the one person she is closest to—her mother.
Then one day Robin’s mother enrolls her in a local comic drawing class, which opens the window to a future Robin could never have imagined.
For as long as she can remember, it’s been Robin and her mom against the world. Growing up in the 1990s as the only child of a single mother in Seoul, Korea, wasn’t always easy, but it has bonded them fiercely together.
So when a vacation to visit friends in Huntsville, Alabama, unexpectedly becomes a permanent relocation—following her mother’s announcement that she’s getting married—Robin is devastated. Overnight, her life changes. She is dropped into a new school where she doesn’t understand the language and struggles to keep up. She is completely cut off from her friends at home and has no access to her beloved comics. At home, she doesn’t fit in with her new stepfamily. And worst of all, she is furious with the one person she is closest to—her mother.
Then one day Robin’s mother enrolls her in a local comic drawing class, which opens the window to a future Robin could never have imagined.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2020
About the author
Robin Ha
16 books305 followersBorn in Seoul, Korea, Robin Ha grew up reading and drawing comics. At fourteen she moved to the United States. After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in illustration, she moved to New York City and started a career in the fashion industry. Her work has been published in independent comics anthologies including Secret Identities and The Strumpet, as well as in the pages of Marvel Comics and Heavy Metal Magazine. Her blog Banchan in 2 Pages features Korean recipe comics. She currently resides in Falls Church, Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,045 reviews
June 25, 2020
This graphic novel was more important to me than I expected. Robin Ha has done such a brilliant job documenting her experience of moving from South Korea to Alabama. Even without understanding her experiences as identifying as Asian, I knew that her racial, ethnic, and cultural identity was going to be an issue from the time that I read the description on the inside flap. Ha delves deep into the racial injustice, language barriers, and gender roles that she faces trying to assimilate to a culture that ostracizes people for being different.
There were a few different parts of the Almost American Girl that I really enjoyed. Robin is the child of a single parent and she doesn't shy away from discussing the difficult stereotypes associated with single moms. For me, as a single mom, I related heavily to her descriptions of society's needs to harass and villianize women who become single mothers. Ha also does an excellent job discussing how gender roles play such a significant role in Korean culture. These were gender roles I was not aware of and I learned a lot through her experiences. There were definitely parts of this book that were difficult to read especially the blatant racism that Ha faces at school. It's also difficult to watch her struggle with the loneliness and isolation that she faces from not only other students, but also family members.
I think whats so beneficial about this graphic novel is that it doesn't attempt to cover up the rocky experiences that Ha has with her own mother. It's hard for any child to have to move from the safety net of their home, but I know I would have been pissed if my mom moved me to another country where I knew no one and didn't speak the language. But Ha does persevere and it was her constant strength to keep going that made me appreciate her story even more. I cannot wait to do a full video review of this graphic novel. If you're looking for a non-fiction graphic novel with #ownvoices representation I would definitely recommend reading this.
There were a few different parts of the Almost American Girl that I really enjoyed. Robin is the child of a single parent and she doesn't shy away from discussing the difficult stereotypes associated with single moms. For me, as a single mom, I related heavily to her descriptions of society's needs to harass and villianize women who become single mothers. Ha also does an excellent job discussing how gender roles play such a significant role in Korean culture. These were gender roles I was not aware of and I learned a lot through her experiences. There were definitely parts of this book that were difficult to read especially the blatant racism that Ha faces at school. It's also difficult to watch her struggle with the loneliness and isolation that she faces from not only other students, but also family members.
I think whats so beneficial about this graphic novel is that it doesn't attempt to cover up the rocky experiences that Ha has with her own mother. It's hard for any child to have to move from the safety net of their home, but I know I would have been pissed if my mom moved me to another country where I knew no one and didn't speak the language. But Ha does persevere and it was her constant strength to keep going that made me appreciate her story even more. I cannot wait to do a full video review of this graphic novel. If you're looking for a non-fiction graphic novel with #ownvoices representation I would definitely recommend reading this.
January 24, 2023
Being uprooted from your home and thrust into a new country and culture is a difficult task, especially on young kids. Almost American Girl is a graphic memoir of Robin Ha, who left Korea in the mid-90s with her mother to Alabama. New to the United States and not yet able to speak the language, 14 year old Chuna Ha (she adopts the name Robin to help fit in) struggles to adapt and feels herself left on the sidelines due to her inability to communicate and her anxieties. This is a really moving and powerful immigrant story that serves as a look and critique of both American and Korean culture, particularly the patriarchal oppression and cruelties towards single mothers, as well as a story of family struggles. With gorgeous art and a highly emotional recounting of her life, this is a fantastic graphic novel.
Robin is a highly empathetic character, and her struggles and anxiety are sure to clutch the readers heartstrings. Watching a confident young girl be thrust into an unfamiliar situation and become timid and unsure of herself is heartbreaking, especially paired with the unkind treatment towards her by several classmates and her own step-family. When she later returns to Korea, she finds that she is both too Korean for most of America, and also too American now for Korea but satisfied in her identity as a Korean American.
While racism is pointed out several times, the strongest cultural criticism is the treatment of women in Korean culture. Robin was shunned by classmates and their parents for being the daughter of a single mother, and even when her mother proves herself successful in Korea doubts are cast upon her as untrustworthy due to the same. When visiting Korea later in life, she notices that girls are docile and compliant to the men (a man remarks that she must be American because she is too wild), and that physical beauty is an oppressive construct where many are having surgery such as enlarging their nose just to be able to find a job (it is required to attach a headshot with your resume, apparently).
Robin’s relationship with her mother is also very moving. While the two dispute constantly throughout the book, love and respect still permeate their relationship. The mother has had to make tough choices and does not include Robin in these decisions, pushes her to perform even when she doesn’t want to, but it is made clear she does it out of love. These things, however, often harm Robin. We are told that Robin’s third grade teacher verbally and psychologically abused her for reasons Robin could never figure out. Later we see in a series of flashbacks telling how strong willed and tough her mother was that the mother once stood up to a teacher who asked for bribes and criticized her openly for being unwed. While it is a moment to respect the mother for her courage, it quickly sinks in that this was the abusive 3rd grade teacher. This interplay between the events that happened to the mother and Robin’s perspective are handled very well, usually letting the reader draw the connections, and pretty effectively portray how families affect each other indirectly.
Last but not least is the art. Robin Ha is a fantastic artist and the watercolors here are simply delightful. As it is a memoir, much of the story follows Robin’s love for art and how important it is in her life. When she leaves Korea, the thing she misses most besides her friends are the comics she followed. Through art she begins to carve an identity and meet her first friend. This book also makes an important point on friendships and how we often blossom best when surrounded by those who support us. Making a core group of friends is the spark Robin needed to live her best life.
This is a gorgeous little graphic novel that takes an important look at culture and immigration. Highly recommended.
5/5
Robin is a highly empathetic character, and her struggles and anxiety are sure to clutch the readers heartstrings. Watching a confident young girl be thrust into an unfamiliar situation and become timid and unsure of herself is heartbreaking, especially paired with the unkind treatment towards her by several classmates and her own step-family. When she later returns to Korea, she finds that she is both too Korean for most of America, and also too American now for Korea but satisfied in her identity as a Korean American.
While racism is pointed out several times, the strongest cultural criticism is the treatment of women in Korean culture. Robin was shunned by classmates and their parents for being the daughter of a single mother, and even when her mother proves herself successful in Korea doubts are cast upon her as untrustworthy due to the same. When visiting Korea later in life, she notices that girls are docile and compliant to the men (a man remarks that she must be American because she is too wild), and that physical beauty is an oppressive construct where many are having surgery such as enlarging their nose just to be able to find a job (it is required to attach a headshot with your resume, apparently).
Robin’s relationship with her mother is also very moving. While the two dispute constantly throughout the book, love and respect still permeate their relationship. The mother has had to make tough choices and does not include Robin in these decisions, pushes her to perform even when she doesn’t want to, but it is made clear she does it out of love. These things, however, often harm Robin. We are told that Robin’s third grade teacher verbally and psychologically abused her for reasons Robin could never figure out. Later we see in a series of flashbacks telling how strong willed and tough her mother was that the mother once stood up to a teacher who asked for bribes and criticized her openly for being unwed. While it is a moment to respect the mother for her courage, it quickly sinks in that this was the abusive 3rd grade teacher. This interplay between the events that happened to the mother and Robin’s perspective are handled very well, usually letting the reader draw the connections, and pretty effectively portray how families affect each other indirectly.
Last but not least is the art. Robin Ha is a fantastic artist and the watercolors here are simply delightful. As it is a memoir, much of the story follows Robin’s love for art and how important it is in her life. When she leaves Korea, the thing she misses most besides her friends are the comics she followed. Through art she begins to carve an identity and meet her first friend. This book also makes an important point on friendships and how we often blossom best when surrounded by those who support us. Making a core group of friends is the spark Robin needed to live her best life.
This is a gorgeous little graphic novel that takes an important look at culture and immigration. Highly recommended.
5/5
June 14, 2021
I never know how to review graphic novels.
They always feel like a total of 46 words long, and my reviews always feel like approximately 10,000, so writing much of anything seems silly and self-indulgent.
So I'm just going to say I liked this very much and move along.
Bottom line: I should do this every time!!
------------
pre-review
now i extra can't believe i hadn't read a graphic novel yet.
this took me like half an hour to read AND it was excellent.
review to come / 4 stars
------------
currently-reading updates
i've read literary fiction, historical fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, contemporaries, romances, essays, chick lit, classics, and children's books this month.
which is a long-winded way of saying i can't believe i haven't read a graphic novel yet.
------------
taking lily's idea and reading only books by asian authors this month!
book 1: the incendiaries
book 2: last night at the telegraph club
book 3: dear girls
book 4: sigh, gone
book 5: frankly in love
book 6: emergency contact
book 7: your house will pay
book 8: convenience store woman
book 9: on earth we're briefly gorgeous
book 10: we are not free
book 11: searching for sylvie lee
book 12: the displaced
book 13: schoolgirl
book 14: sweet bean paste
book 15: little fires everywhere
book 16: trust exercise
book 17: front desk
book 18: the bride test
book 19: interior chinatown
book 20: it's not like it's a secret
book 21: almost american girl
They always feel like a total of 46 words long, and my reviews always feel like approximately 10,000, so writing much of anything seems silly and self-indulgent.
So I'm just going to say I liked this very much and move along.
Bottom line: I should do this every time!!
------------
pre-review
now i extra can't believe i hadn't read a graphic novel yet.
this took me like half an hour to read AND it was excellent.
review to come / 4 stars
------------
currently-reading updates
i've read literary fiction, historical fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, contemporaries, romances, essays, chick lit, classics, and children's books this month.
which is a long-winded way of saying i can't believe i haven't read a graphic novel yet.
------------
taking lily's idea and reading only books by asian authors this month!
book 1: the incendiaries
book 2: last night at the telegraph club
book 3: dear girls
book 4: sigh, gone
book 5: frankly in love
book 6: emergency contact
book 7: your house will pay
book 8: convenience store woman
book 9: on earth we're briefly gorgeous
book 10: we are not free
book 11: searching for sylvie lee
book 12: the displaced
book 13: schoolgirl
book 14: sweet bean paste
book 15: little fires everywhere
book 16: trust exercise
book 17: front desk
book 18: the bride test
book 19: interior chinatown
book 20: it's not like it's a secret
book 21: almost american girl
October 12, 2020
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This is such an amazing book! ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL is about Robin Ha (Chuna) and her life growing up in the United States as an immigrant in the 90s. I thought her life was so interesting because it was so unconventional. Her mother was a single mom in Korea, and apparently that is even more stigmatized in Korea than it is here-- people always assumed the worst and Robin quickly learned to hide that her father wasn't around. Her mother started dating a man who worked in importing fish and later moved to Alabama to open his own fish shop, and he and Robin's mother decided to get married.
When Robin goes to the United States with her mom, she thought it was another one of their usual trips. Obviously, when she learned the truth, she was devastated. Her step-family was not interested in getting to know her much at all, and her step-sisters and step-cousins could actually be hostile (with the exception of the eldest). Her school didn't have ESL classes, so she ended up plopped right into regular classes with only her questionable step-sister/cousin to translate. After having a close-knit group of friends in Korea, the move left her feeling isolated and lonely with no one to talk to or share her interests.
This is such an amazing coming of age memoir because it offers a really unique perspective on what it's like to grow up in two drastically different cultures. Her mother's story as a single working mom was so impressive, and I loved the relationship between mother and daughter, and how her mother worked so hard to push her to be independent and pursue her own interests despite that not being traditional. My favorite part of the book was how comic books ended up being the key that helped Robin unlock her own new circle of friends in the United States, especially her friendship with Jessica, and having that foundation ended up making her stronger when she and her mom later moved again to Virginia.
I've been to countries where I didn't speak the native language and it could be frustrating and scary, especially when you are really trying and you suspect the other person you're interacting with might be having a laugh at you or you've just unknowingly done something rude. Dealing with foreign money, interacting with strangers, or getting lost and/or having to ask for directions in a language you don't speak can be so hard! And I was only traveling-- while reading this, I asked myself what it would have been like if I'd had to take classes in a subject that was taught in a language that I didn't speak, in a place with customs I didn't know, and my socially anxious self did an ~epic cringe.~
The art style of this book is simple but it suits the story and complements, rather than detracts from, the story. I think it will appeal to tomboyish girls and women, anyone who is interested in comics and nerd culture, and/or anyone who has immigrated or been an expatriate, or simply doesn't feel like they fit in with the rest of society all the time. I feel like the message of this book is that everyone has a group of people out there who will understand them and their interests if you take the time to look for them, and even when you travel and find new experiences, in the end you'll always find your way home.
5 stars
February 11, 2020
A pretty decent YA memoir mostly about immigrant experience. It is compared to American Born Chinese and Hey, Kiddo, but Almost American Girl doesn't quite have the depth and creativity of those works. This memoir has a more expected and predictable story arc. However, the parts about Robin's childhood in South Korea and her relationship with her mom do shine.
As an immigrant myself, I am always bothered by how the issue of actually obtaining of the US citizenship is presented as something very easily achieved, like it is in this work. Robin's mom getting a green card through her work as a hairdresser is a plainly fantastical scenario. Although the author does acknowledge that some parts of this memoir were fictionalized. This must be one of those parts.
P.S. Glad to see that that my watching of k-dramas is finally paying off in some way - I didn't have to look up any of the Korean words in the glossary in the back of the book. Totally know all the "oppas," "eunnis," etc.
As an immigrant myself, I am always bothered by how the issue of actually obtaining of the US citizenship is presented as something very easily achieved, like it is in this work. Robin's mom getting a green card through her work as a hairdresser is a plainly fantastical scenario. Although the author does acknowledge that some parts of this memoir were fictionalized. This must be one of those parts.
P.S. Glad to see that that my watching of k-dramas is finally paying off in some way - I didn't have to look up any of the Korean words in the glossary in the back of the book. Totally know all the "oppas," "eunnis," etc.
October 10, 2020
I read this because I knew my daugher cried as she read this, then put it in my hands, insisting I read it. I thought it was a good but sad coming of age immigration story, and told my daughter I thought it was pretty miserable, overall, but she insisted on highlighting the hopeful aspects of it. Chuna's father left them when she was less than a year old. Her mother spends all of her money to help her daughter develop a better life, including travel, none of which Chuna truly appreciates ar the time.
Chuna and her mother live in Seoul, Korea. On one "vacation," to Alabama, Chuna's mother reveals they may stay longer depending on how things go with "a friend," a guy it seems she met on line. Suddenly Chuna's mother reveals she will marry this guy. Chuna didn't have her things from home, hadn't even told her friends she was traveling, but there they are, and Chuna does not speak English, dumped into a school where she is largely bullied. And as is all too common, she is forced to take on a "more American" name, Robin.
When it is clear the marriage will not work out, they move near friends in Virginia, where there is more diversity in the area and in the school. Also, Robin's mother buys her a piano and enrolls her in a comics class, the latter of which changes her life. And then she gets the opportunity, after a few years, to visit Korea and see her old friends. It is clear those friends are particularly restricted by the repressive patriarchal Korean society, so Robin begins to grow up and realize why it is her mother had wanted to leave Seoul.
I initially thought this was a 3 star book, but L convinced me it was better than I had initially thought.
Chuna and her mother live in Seoul, Korea. On one "vacation," to Alabama, Chuna's mother reveals they may stay longer depending on how things go with "a friend," a guy it seems she met on line. Suddenly Chuna's mother reveals she will marry this guy. Chuna didn't have her things from home, hadn't even told her friends she was traveling, but there they are, and Chuna does not speak English, dumped into a school where she is largely bullied. And as is all too common, she is forced to take on a "more American" name, Robin.
When it is clear the marriage will not work out, they move near friends in Virginia, where there is more diversity in the area and in the school. Also, Robin's mother buys her a piano and enrolls her in a comics class, the latter of which changes her life. And then she gets the opportunity, after a few years, to visit Korea and see her old friends. It is clear those friends are particularly restricted by the repressive patriarchal Korean society, so Robin begins to grow up and realize why it is her mother had wanted to leave Seoul.
I initially thought this was a 3 star book, but L convinced me it was better than I had initially thought.
June 1, 2021
This was one of the best graphic works that I've read and that says a lot coming from someone who typically doesn't like graphic novels. I really enjoyed this story, its underlying sense of hope, the relationships and dynamics between the characters explored and, most of all, the brilliant art style! This is one I would highly recommend.
August 6, 2020
I'll admit that my experience with Korean culture has been superficial (watching dramas, eating food and listening to some kpop). So I picked up Ha's book, in hopes of learning more and fixing my biases.
Being a 2nd gen kid myself, I don't know what it's like to leave the only home you've ever known - not even willingly - and move to a new country where you have to learn a different language and cultural norms that don't make sense (like moving out at 18 years old). Ha's account is heartbreaking and vivid, and most of all necessary. Every person who immigrates - including undocumented people - has a story to tell. The reasons for moving may differ, but it's important to remember that they're human beings, and sacrifice so much - family, community, savings, etc - for a better life for themselves and their loved ones. And despite what a few reviews say, immigrating to a new country and gaining citizenship (particularly the USA) is NOT easy. It's extremely stressful and time consuming even now. Maybe it seems "fantastical" to some people, but it's an unfortunate reality for so many immigrants.
The art style was very well done and drew me in! I also appreciate that there's a glossary of Korean terms; it was really helpful when I didn't understand certain references.
All in all, highly recommend!
Content warning: bullying, racism, sexism, death of a pet
Being a 2nd gen kid myself, I don't know what it's like to leave the only home you've ever known - not even willingly - and move to a new country where you have to learn a different language and cultural norms that don't make sense (like moving out at 18 years old). Ha's account is heartbreaking and vivid, and most of all necessary. Every person who immigrates - including undocumented people - has a story to tell. The reasons for moving may differ, but it's important to remember that they're human beings, and sacrifice so much - family, community, savings, etc - for a better life for themselves and their loved ones. And despite what a few reviews say, immigrating to a new country and gaining citizenship (particularly the USA) is NOT easy. It's extremely stressful and time consuming even now. Maybe it seems "fantastical" to some people, but it's an unfortunate reality for so many immigrants.
The art style was very well done and drew me in! I also appreciate that there's a glossary of Korean terms; it was really helpful when I didn't understand certain references.
All in all, highly recommend!
Content warning: bullying, racism, sexism, death of a pet
October 12, 2020
"I didn't exactly fit in in Korea or America. I had become Korean American. And that was okay with me."
representation: Korean (own voices).
[trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]
★★★★
Wow, I absolutely loved this. I couldn't put it down! I feel like if you've ever felt lost or alone, this book will definitely resonate with you! The art style wasn't my favourite though, but that's totally a personal preference!
trigger warnings: being a child of separated parents, racism, bullying, abusive teacher, cheating, traditional and harmful views in regards to women and beauty.
representation: Korean (own voices).
[trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]
★★★★
Wow, I absolutely loved this. I couldn't put it down! I feel like if you've ever felt lost or alone, this book will definitely resonate with you! The art style wasn't my favourite though, but that's totally a personal preference!
trigger warnings: being a child of separated parents, racism, bullying, abusive teacher, cheating, traditional and harmful views in regards to women and beauty.
June 14, 2020
*4.5
Fascinating! I loved reading this graphic novel memoir. Robin's mother was the most interesting person - she works so hard and is so firm in making the best possible life for herself and her daughter. I also liked reading about the societal norms in South Korea and learning about them. Almost American Girl really reminded me of Hey, Kiddo, which I read a year or two ago and also loved. Raw, honest, emotional - I should read more books like this. 4.5/5 stars.
Fascinating! I loved reading this graphic novel memoir. Robin's mother was the most interesting person - she works so hard and is so firm in making the best possible life for herself and her daughter. I also liked reading about the societal norms in South Korea and learning about them. Almost American Girl really reminded me of Hey, Kiddo, which I read a year or two ago and also loved. Raw, honest, emotional - I should read more books like this. 4.5/5 stars.
March 24, 2021
Writing a memoir is like wearing your heart on your sleeve for the whole world to see. And in my case, I was dangling my mom’s heart along with my own.
stories about immigration & diaspora never cease to make my heart hurt! and yes, i was listening to rosé's new songs the whole time i was reading this 🥺
February 11, 2020
The author was raised in Seoul, Korea and is suddenly transplanted to Huntsville, Alabama when she's about 14 years old. This graphic memoir explores the author's relationship with her mother, the move, and all the usual themes you'd expect in an immigrant memoir. This is targeted at a younger audience, and as an adult reader I wanted a deeper dive into the themes explored. I was more interested in her mother's story, and would absolutely read a book about that. The art is colorful and cute, and this coming of age story is a wonderful addition to the YA memoir genre showcasing a more diverse American experience.
December 1, 2020
This is a wonderful, beautifully drawn memoir. Robin is the daughter of a single mother who struggled against South Korea's conservative society to create a happy life for their small family. The summer after 8th grade, Robin travels with her mother to Alabama on what she believes will be a two week trip at most. Shockingly, Robin's mother tells her that they will be moving permanently to America and that she is marrying a man Robin has never met. Robin is devastated- she didn't even get to say goodbye to her friends, and she didn't pack her art supplies or her extensive comic collection. She is thrown into an American high school even though she speaks very little English. Robin struggles to keep up in classes, finding comfort in one friendly teacher and the slow trickle of letters from South Korea. Eventually she is enrolled in an after school comics class and she makes her friend new friend. The last chapter follows Robin into young adulthood, when new realizations help her to finally understand why her mother made the decision that felt at the time like the end of her world.
January 22, 2021
Robin Ha'n omaelämäkerrallinen sarjakuvaromaani Almost American Girl (Balzer, 2020) osoittautui lähestulkoon mestariteokseksi.
Neljätoistavuotias korealaistyttö Chuna muuttaa paremmasta elämästä haaveilevan yksinhuoltajaäitinsä kanssa Yhdysvaltojen Alabamaan - tosin kysymättä ennakkoon tyttärensä mielipidettä. Koti-ikävä on valtava, eivätkä sitä lievitä kielimuuri, ennakkoluulot ja äidin uuden kumppanin hankalat perheenjäsenet. Löytääkö hän ikinä paikkaansa maailmassa?
Sarjakuva oli todella vaikuttava kuvaus teini-ilkäisen kokemuksista uudessa ja vieraassa ympäristössä, jossa pelkkä kielimuuri lisää ulkopuolisuuden tunnetta ja estää tutustumista paikallisiin nuoriin.
Ha kuvaa Yhdysvalloissa kokemaansa rasismia, mutta yhtä lailla korealaisen kulttuurin epäkohtia, joista mainittakoon hyvin vanhoilliset sukupuoliroolit ja todella julma suhtautuminen yh-äitejä kohtaan.
Sarjakuvan keskeisin teema on kuitenkin suhde omaan äitiin, jota kuvataan äärimmäisen taitavasti, ristiriitoja esille tuoden mutta silti suurelka rakkaudella.
Hieno ja ajatuksia herättävä teos! Luultavasti hankin albumin vielä omaan sarjakuvahyllyynikin.
Neljätoistavuotias korealaistyttö Chuna muuttaa paremmasta elämästä haaveilevan yksinhuoltajaäitinsä kanssa Yhdysvaltojen Alabamaan - tosin kysymättä ennakkoon tyttärensä mielipidettä. Koti-ikävä on valtava, eivätkä sitä lievitä kielimuuri, ennakkoluulot ja äidin uuden kumppanin hankalat perheenjäsenet. Löytääkö hän ikinä paikkaansa maailmassa?
Sarjakuva oli todella vaikuttava kuvaus teini-ilkäisen kokemuksista uudessa ja vieraassa ympäristössä, jossa pelkkä kielimuuri lisää ulkopuolisuuden tunnetta ja estää tutustumista paikallisiin nuoriin.
Ha kuvaa Yhdysvalloissa kokemaansa rasismia, mutta yhtä lailla korealaisen kulttuurin epäkohtia, joista mainittakoon hyvin vanhoilliset sukupuoliroolit ja todella julma suhtautuminen yh-äitejä kohtaan.
Sarjakuvan keskeisin teema on kuitenkin suhde omaan äitiin, jota kuvataan äärimmäisen taitavasti, ristiriitoja esille tuoden mutta silti suurelka rakkaudella.
Hieno ja ajatuksia herättävä teos! Luultavasti hankin albumin vielä omaan sarjakuvahyllyynikin.
January 16, 2020
Thank you to HCC Frenzy for sending me an ARC of Almost American Girl.
I rarely find myself relating to anything these days but this memoir really struck a chord in me. Robin paints a beautiful story, her story, of what it's like to live in a place that doesn't feel like home, and how wonderful it is to finally feel at home.
This ARC did not have fully coloured pages but the artwork was still very nice. I'm looking forward to picking up a finished copy soon.
I rarely find myself relating to anything these days but this memoir really struck a chord in me. Robin paints a beautiful story, her story, of what it's like to live in a place that doesn't feel like home, and how wonderful it is to finally feel at home.
This ARC did not have fully coloured pages but the artwork was still very nice. I'm looking forward to picking up a finished copy soon.
December 27, 2020
3.5/5 – did i really cry two times while reading this graphic novel? yes ;--;
September 23, 2020
This graphic novel memoir tells the story of young Korean woman who has to move to Alabama with her mother. As can be expected, she experiences extreme culture shock. It offers some pointed criticism of both American and Korean culture that are worth reading. One thing that I really liked was that it talked about how comics and fantasy literature can be both a coping mechanism and a way to connect with people. That's a message that can be appreciated even by people who have never moved to another country.
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March 10, 2020Why is it so easy to feel out of place in the places we are supposed to call home?
In 1990s Korea, being raised by a single mother means Robin's family doesn't fit the conventional mold. But as long as Robin and her mother have each other, that's okay. So when her mother takes them on a vacation to Alabama, she thinks nothing of it - at least she doesn't until her mother reveals her impending marriage and a permanent relocation.
Now, Robin's forced to deal with a new school, new step family, and new culture, all impeded by a language barrier. Cut off from her friends and everything she knows, Robin's devastated. Can she find a way to make her new life work?
A story of loneliness, learning, and life. Difficulties will follow you no matter where you are, but so does hope.
Trigger warnings racism, bullying, pet death, and grief.
Sensitive but strong, Robin was understandably extremely frustrated at being thrown head first into a new life. Even though she was used to being a bit of an outcast, it was so painful to watch her become increasingly lonely as she struggled to make friends. Her heart desperately ached for a balm that only art and comics were able to fill. Truthful and raw, I loved watching her realize that though tears may have fallen, it did not mean she was weak.
From her well-meaning mother, to her less than welcoming step family, to the bullies and/or unreachable kids at school, to her friends she missed dearly, Robin felt utterly alienated from everyone. Family looks different all across the world. Even though she became furious at her, I was so happy to see the strong bond between Robin and her mother. Besides being protective of each other, the two women shared a fierce and enduring spirit. Her step family kept her at a distance, and by extension ostracized her at school. Wether saddened by loneliness or the relentless waves of homesickness, I wanted nothing more than to hug Robin. Art and comics were her steadfast companions, and it was interesting to see how they brought about new friendships and opportunities. These people helped Robin become the determined, talented, and inspiring woman she is today.
Being an outsider is never easy. Robin's homesickness, grief at being different, and character growth were told through emotionally compelling illustrations. A tale of immigration, acclimation, and the trials of trying to find a place to call home, this graphic memoir was genuinely beautiful. An authentic look at the cultural norms of two different countries, this was interestingly informative. Robin Ha's ability to capture the hardships of school, loneliness, and the horrible feeling of isolation compounded by a language barrier, pulled at my heart. Her story was also one of perseverance, friendship, and the importance of clinging to your passions. Truthful and gorgeously rendered, Almost American Girl is one woman's story, but her feelings and experiences are things we all can relate to in one way or another. Although I was able to understand the Korean terms, a glossary is helpfully provided in the back.The author's note was a wonderful addition to the book.
I'd love to know more about Robin Ha.
In 1990s Korea, being raised by a single mother means Robin's family doesn't fit the conventional mold. But as long as Robin and her mother have each other, that's okay. So when her mother takes them on a vacation to Alabama, she thinks nothing of it - at least she doesn't until her mother reveals her impending marriage and a permanent relocation.
Now, Robin's forced to deal with a new school, new step family, and new culture, all impeded by a language barrier. Cut off from her friends and everything she knows, Robin's devastated. Can she find a way to make her new life work?
A story of loneliness, learning, and life. Difficulties will follow you no matter where you are, but so does hope.
Trigger warnings racism, bullying, pet death, and grief.
Sensitive but strong, Robin was understandably extremely frustrated at being thrown head first into a new life. Even though she was used to being a bit of an outcast, it was so painful to watch her become increasingly lonely as she struggled to make friends. Her heart desperately ached for a balm that only art and comics were able to fill. Truthful and raw, I loved watching her realize that though tears may have fallen, it did not mean she was weak.
From her well-meaning mother, to her less than welcoming step family, to the bullies and/or unreachable kids at school, to her friends she missed dearly, Robin felt utterly alienated from everyone. Family looks different all across the world. Even though she became furious at her, I was so happy to see the strong bond between Robin and her mother. Besides being protective of each other, the two women shared a fierce and enduring spirit. Her step family kept her at a distance, and by extension ostracized her at school. Wether saddened by loneliness or the relentless waves of homesickness, I wanted nothing more than to hug Robin. Art and comics were her steadfast companions, and it was interesting to see how they brought about new friendships and opportunities. These people helped Robin become the determined, talented, and inspiring woman she is today.
Being an outsider is never easy. Robin's homesickness, grief at being different, and character growth were told through emotionally compelling illustrations. A tale of immigration, acclimation, and the trials of trying to find a place to call home, this graphic memoir was genuinely beautiful. An authentic look at the cultural norms of two different countries, this was interestingly informative. Robin Ha's ability to capture the hardships of school, loneliness, and the horrible feeling of isolation compounded by a language barrier, pulled at my heart. Her story was also one of perseverance, friendship, and the importance of clinging to your passions. Truthful and gorgeously rendered, Almost American Girl is one woman's story, but her feelings and experiences are things we all can relate to in one way or another. Although I was able to understand the Korean terms, a glossary is helpfully provided in the back.The author's note was a wonderful addition to the book.
I'd love to know more about Robin Ha.
November 27, 2021
This is a wonderful autobiographical graphic novel about a 14-years-old Korean girl who moves to the U.S.
It takes place in the 90s, and I love how the author describes her experiences starting in a new school, not knowing anyone, and learning a language at the same time. There were many situations in the book I could relate to.
Highly recommend it!
It takes place in the 90s, and I love how the author describes her experiences starting in a new school, not knowing anyone, and learning a language at the same time. There were many situations in the book I could relate to.
Highly recommend it!
February 9, 2020
Richie’s Picks: ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL: AN ILLUSTRATED MEMOIR by Robin Ha, Harper/Balzer + Bray, January 2020, 240p., ISBN: 978-0-06-268510-0
“Their father’s hell did slowly go by”
-- Graham Nash (1970)
Or, in this case, her mother’s hell.
From the Acknowledgements page:
“So you can only imagine how thrilled Mom was when I finally told her I had been working on this memoir for over a year and found a publisher for it. After realizing there was no turning back on this project, Mom insisted that I at least leave her out of my story completely. I told her that would be impossible. She was the driving force behind it. If she hadn’t wanted me to write this story, she shouldn’t have brought me to America in the first place. Mom was so upset with me that she avoided me for months.”
Just imagine this happening to you: Your whole family is you and your mom. You don’t remember your father and you have no siblings that you know of. In past years, the two of you have gone on a number of overseas vacations. This year, your mother is taking you to a foreign country halfway around the world where she has a friend you’ve never met. Then, after you arrive, your mother announces that she is marrying that “friend” and you are, from this moment forward, going to reside in that foreign country where you don’t know the language or the customs. And there’s no going back for belongings or goodbyes.
Talk about a teen feeling powerless! ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL is a jaw-dropping graphic novel memoir in which we observe Robin, as a 14 year-old in 1995, learning that she will never return home to South Korea. Instead, this vacation to the United States is really a sudden relocation with an immediate merging of the two families into one household and family unit. And as it turns out, Huntsville, Alabama, is a pretty tough place to land as a teen Asian immigrant. For Robin, it seems to go downhill from there.
Fortunately, Robin is a talented young artist, and her art will keep her afloat. Eventually, circumstances land her and her mom in a more cosmopolitan part of the country, where she meets fellow students with whom she shares culture and interests. Things get better for her.
The pain of Robin’s situation is often raw and immediate. It’s easy to envision how what happened to Robin a quarter-century ago could happen to some unlucky kid today.
Imagine being Robin and having brand-new step-siblings who, instead of being welcoming and supportive, are sandbagging you at school. A school where, if you’re lucky, you understand a quarter of the words being spoken to you. A school where there’s no ESL program.
That sense of being a powerless teen, forced to submit to whatever your ignorant parents demand of you, is one that many will relate to.
The combination of great art and dialogue in ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL helps make this one an exceptionally powerful read!
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
[email protected]
“Their father’s hell did slowly go by”
-- Graham Nash (1970)
Or, in this case, her mother’s hell.
From the Acknowledgements page:
“So you can only imagine how thrilled Mom was when I finally told her I had been working on this memoir for over a year and found a publisher for it. After realizing there was no turning back on this project, Mom insisted that I at least leave her out of my story completely. I told her that would be impossible. She was the driving force behind it. If she hadn’t wanted me to write this story, she shouldn’t have brought me to America in the first place. Mom was so upset with me that she avoided me for months.”
Just imagine this happening to you: Your whole family is you and your mom. You don’t remember your father and you have no siblings that you know of. In past years, the two of you have gone on a number of overseas vacations. This year, your mother is taking you to a foreign country halfway around the world where she has a friend you’ve never met. Then, after you arrive, your mother announces that she is marrying that “friend” and you are, from this moment forward, going to reside in that foreign country where you don’t know the language or the customs. And there’s no going back for belongings or goodbyes.
Talk about a teen feeling powerless! ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL is a jaw-dropping graphic novel memoir in which we observe Robin, as a 14 year-old in 1995, learning that she will never return home to South Korea. Instead, this vacation to the United States is really a sudden relocation with an immediate merging of the two families into one household and family unit. And as it turns out, Huntsville, Alabama, is a pretty tough place to land as a teen Asian immigrant. For Robin, it seems to go downhill from there.
Fortunately, Robin is a talented young artist, and her art will keep her afloat. Eventually, circumstances land her and her mom in a more cosmopolitan part of the country, where she meets fellow students with whom she shares culture and interests. Things get better for her.
The pain of Robin’s situation is often raw and immediate. It’s easy to envision how what happened to Robin a quarter-century ago could happen to some unlucky kid today.
Imagine being Robin and having brand-new step-siblings who, instead of being welcoming and supportive, are sandbagging you at school. A school where, if you’re lucky, you understand a quarter of the words being spoken to you. A school where there’s no ESL program.
That sense of being a powerless teen, forced to submit to whatever your ignorant parents demand of you, is one that many will relate to.
The combination of great art and dialogue in ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL helps make this one an exceptionally powerful read!
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
[email protected]
January 16, 2022
Emotional, amazing, and so important. Everyone should read this.
September 12, 2020
I’m not going to spend time writing an elaborate review, because it’s a graphic novel and I was able to read it within a couple sittings. I found this to be a really well written story, but ultimately felt like it was geared to younger YA readers, since she’s in middle school for the majority of the book. Don’t get me wrong - it’s wonderful to have books for 13-14 year olds, who are less represented in YA. It just wasn’t exactly my cup of tea. I also felt that the pacing was quite odd. Robin spends much of the book as an eighth grader, and her time in high school went so fast I was a bit thrown off when I reached the end! I would definitely recommend this to middle school readers more so than myself.
November 28, 2020
This was a powerful memoir that was a catharsis for the author and also meant to give her mom a way to heal from all the many difficult decisions she had to make in order to create a better life for her daughter and for herself. This is at least the second book I've read where the author immigrated from Asia and landed in Alabama and the experiences were not easy. Thankfully, the author did eventually find some kind people, including a wonderful English teacher and a best friend that stuck with her for life. I read this while on the exercise bike and before I knew it, I had finished it and my workout! I completely lost myself in her story and cried with her and laughed with her. This is definitely a graphic novel worth reading!
January 21, 2023
although i cannot personally relate to the author's story, i really loved the way that the nuances of her experiences and the effects that they had on her were explored in this graphic novel, especially in the format that it took. the relationships that robin had with her mother, her friends, and even with herself were clearly yet effectively portrayed in a way that really showed the 'messiness', for lack of a better word, of real life.
i think i would have wanted to see more about robin's life after she moved to virginia, but at the same time, by that point in the book the goal of the story had been accomplished, especially with robin finally coming out of her shell and adapting to her present life. overall, this made for a wonderful read, one that i've really been meaning to get to for quite some time now, and one which certainly lived up to its reputation.
i think i would have wanted to see more about robin's life after she moved to virginia, but at the same time, by that point in the book the goal of the story had been accomplished, especially with robin finally coming out of her shell and adapting to her present life. overall, this made for a wonderful read, one that i've really been meaning to get to for quite some time now, and one which certainly lived up to its reputation.
March 27, 2020
I was drawn in by the story of a 14-year-old South Korean girl suddenly finding herself an immigrant living in Huntsville, Alabama, struggling with English, racism, and bullies. But by the end I was fascinated by the portrait of her mother, a strong-willed and fiercely independent woman who resented the sexism of Korean culture and decided better opportunities for her and her daughter might be found elsewhere.
January 15, 2022
I absolutely adore this graphic novel memoir.
The struggle one has to learn a new language to fit in and a whole new country to adjust living in. Also, the struggle of growing up with a single parent.
The artstyle is heartwarming and basic. The art sequence is easy to the eyes.
A must read memoir.
The highlights would be the racism and bullying part, including the teachers in her own country when she grew up just because her mother didn't give in to the teacher bribery system.
Her love of comics and drawing are highlighted well which I really appreciate. It's high time people stop judging artists and their work no matter in what format they would be.
Totally recommended.
The struggle one has to learn a new language to fit in and a whole new country to adjust living in. Also, the struggle of growing up with a single parent.
The artstyle is heartwarming and basic. The art sequence is easy to the eyes.
A must read memoir.
The highlights would be the racism and bullying part, including the teachers in her own country when she grew up just because her mother didn't give in to the teacher bribery system.
Her love of comics and drawing are highlighted well which I really appreciate. It's high time people stop judging artists and their work no matter in what format they would be.
Totally recommended.
March 12, 2022
Almost American Girl was such a cathartic read for me. I had a similar experience where I wasn't a native English speaker and I got harassed, bullied, and ignored by teachers because I didn't know how to vocalize my emotions in English. I love this memoir and the author couldn't have done a better job by her mother's story and capturing the strength of Korean American women. Thank you so much, Robin Ha, for beautifully (and accurately) capturing the Asian diaspora.
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October 11, 2023Robin Ha’s exceptional graphic novel memoir Almost American Girl tells and shows how Robin’s single mother decides to move from Seoul, South Korea to Alabama, then to Los Angeles, then to Virginia, all without consulting her teenage daughter. Moves like this are traumatic for adolescents, as they leave behind friends and familiar surroundings. The move is especially fraught for Robin who knows almost no English. Alabama isn’t terribly welcoming to her, at school or at her new home with the “family” acquired by her mother’s marriage to a Korean immigrant “friend.” Robin struggles, but her lifelines are her love for comics and her dedication to her mother.
Ha’s comic expertise embraces every challenge in this narrative. For example, she cleverly represents the language differences between Korean and English, as well the phrases that young Robin doesn’t understand. The moments in the story that are epiphanies or especially joyful are shown in panels that almost seem three-dimensional.
Almost American Girl has been on my TBR for too long, but I recently moved it up after seeing it in the hands of a young reader during a school visit last week. When I asked him how he liked it, he said, “It’s really good.” Recommendations like that from authentic readers carry a lot of weight with me, and guess what, he was right: “It’s really good.”
Ha’s comic expertise embraces every challenge in this narrative. For example, she cleverly represents the language differences between Korean and English, as well the phrases that young Robin doesn’t understand. The moments in the story that are epiphanies or especially joyful are shown in panels that almost seem three-dimensional.
Almost American Girl has been on my TBR for too long, but I recently moved it up after seeing it in the hands of a young reader during a school visit last week. When I asked him how he liked it, he said, “It’s really good.” Recommendations like that from authentic readers carry a lot of weight with me, and guess what, he was right: “It’s really good.”
May 28, 2021
“I didn’t exactly fit in Korea or America. I had become Korean American. And that was okay with me.”
Almost American Girl is an illustrated memoir, documenting Robin Ha’s experience moving from Seoul to Alabama.
I flew through this! I couldn’t put it down. All in all, I really enjoyed this! A solid 4/5 for me.
The Illustrations
The illustrations are simple but still very unique! The graphics conveyed all the different emotions Robin was experiencing so well.
I couldn’t find any photos online for it, but I especially liked the change of pace in the illustrations when Robin got her comics sent from Korea to her home in Alabama. The whimsical land, with the speech bubbles lined in purple and outlandish characters, was so fitting for that moment. I loved it!
The Writing
The writing did an amazing job of not only portraying what Robin was feeling when she was outcasted in America but also how she grew over time, finding confidence in herself and discovering a newfound appreciation for her mother who wasn’t trying to ruin Robin’s life but actually trying to save it from the gossip and rumors her and her mother endured in Korea. The only thing I wish could have been different is that I wish Ha would have explored some of the more significant themes in the novel like the racism she experienced and/or the hatred from her step siblings. I feel like this novel barely touched on those two experiences. I would have liked to hear more about that and how it affected younger Robin/how it affects older Robin.
In conclusion, a great memoir! I highly recommend this - especially for AAPI Heritage Month. It’s a quick read and has an uplifting ending.
Almost American Girl is an illustrated memoir, documenting Robin Ha’s experience moving from Seoul to Alabama.
I flew through this! I couldn’t put it down. All in all, I really enjoyed this! A solid 4/5 for me.
The Illustrations
The illustrations are simple but still very unique! The graphics conveyed all the different emotions Robin was experiencing so well.
I couldn’t find any photos online for it, but I especially liked the change of pace in the illustrations when Robin got her comics sent from Korea to her home in Alabama. The whimsical land, with the speech bubbles lined in purple and outlandish characters, was so fitting for that moment. I loved it!
The Writing
The writing did an amazing job of not only portraying what Robin was feeling when she was outcasted in America but also how she grew over time, finding confidence in herself and discovering a newfound appreciation for her mother who wasn’t trying to ruin Robin’s life but actually trying to save it from the gossip and rumors her and her mother endured in Korea. The only thing I wish could have been different is that I wish Ha would have explored some of the more significant themes in the novel like the racism she experienced and/or the hatred from her step siblings. I feel like this novel barely touched on those two experiences. I would have liked to hear more about that and how it affected younger Robin/how it affects older Robin.
In conclusion, a great memoir! I highly recommend this - especially for AAPI Heritage Month. It’s a quick read and has an uplifting ending.
May 19, 2020
I consider myself a progressive, but I've also felt distressed by some of the directions #ownvoices and diversity/inclusiveness has taken the children's literature community. Reading this, it struck me that some of the other Korean students at Robin's school in McLean (and yes, there are tons of Koreans in McLean - I have relatives there myself) seemed much more likely to publish children's literature, perhaps under #ownvoices, than Robin herself, because privilege exists in and within all groups, even immigrants and non-whites. I know I am a privileged Korean-American, and because of that, there is no way in hell I would leverage my Korean ethnicity as an entry into writing. I have enough of a leg up that it's not fair that I, or someone like me, should get to be a voice, and I suspect that's why I take a dim view of the whole thing. The point is, all the kudos to Robin Ha who is, as she says, a Korean-American, but more importantly succeeded despite huge disadvantages and lack of privilege in both Korea and America, and produced a really terrific and honest graphic memoir.
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