Monstrous
A Transracial Adoption Story
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- 11,99 €
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- 11,99 €
Beschreibung des Verlags
"A beautiful, courageous book.”
Gene Luen Yang, author of American Born Chinese
Five Starred Reviews and a Finalist for the L.A. Times Book Prize
Monstrous is a poignant, award-winning young adult graphic memoir about a Korean-American girl who uses fandom and art-making to overcome racist bullying.
Sarah has always struggled to fit in. Born in South Korea and adopted at birth by a white couple, she grows up in a rural community with few Asian neighbors. People whisper in the supermarket. Classmates bully her. She has trouble containing her anger in these moments—but through it all, she has her art. She's always been a compulsive drawer, and when she discovers anime, her hobby becomes an obsession.
Though drawing and cosplay offer her an escape, she still struggles to connect with others. And in high school, the bullies are louder and meaner. Sarah's bubbling rage is threatening to burst.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Transracial adoptee and comics artist Myer (Create a Costume!) details their childhood navigating bullying and self-image issues in the 1980s and '90s in this vulnerable graphic memoir. Myer and their older sister Lizzy, who are South Korean and have different biological parents, were adopted at birth and raised in rural Maryland by the Myers, a white-cued farm couple. Though Lizzy got along well with her classmates, Myer often felt excluded from activities because of their intense interest in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and mermaids, resulting in emotional outbursts that further separated them from their peers. Their love of drawing, however, provided nominal acceptance. "Even if... people didn't like me, they seemed to like my art," Myer writes. But continued bullying rooted in gender and race caused Myer to "internalize my emotions... with monstrous results." Even so, Myer's passion for cosplay, art, and animation provided an outlet to explore their gender, sexuality, and future goals. Myer's cinematic style makes for a dynamic approach; complexly layered panels, highly saturated hues, and clear, linear sequencing offer accessible windows into Myer's emotions. Those wrestling with feelings of disconnect from their communities will find validation in this confessional read. Ages 14–up.
