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jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
Almost American Girl is a new memoir in graphic novel form. In her memoir Robin Ha tells of her childhood living in Seoul with her single mother. In 1995, when she is 14, her mother announces that they are going to Alabama. Once there, Ha's mother marries a Korean man that she had previously met when he was in Korea on a trip. There's lots of tension between Robin & her mom over the move. Robin is not happy in Alabama. She feels like her life and happiness were left behind in Korea. She barely speaks English and is the only foreign student at her new middle school.
This was a good read. I could empathize with the sadness and loneliness Robin felt in her new American life. Middle school is tough enough as is never mind adding on a lack of English skills and not knowing anyone.
This was a good read. I could empathize with the sadness and loneliness Robin felt in her new American life. Middle school is tough enough as is never mind adding on a lack of English skills and not knowing anyone.
kdahlo's review against another edition
4.0
Very sweet book about loneliness, adolescence, and how we understand and relate to the decisions our parents make that shape our lives. I really like Robin Ha's cookbook, it was great learning more about her.
dembury's review against another edition
5.0
I really appreciated getting a deeper looking into the experience of Ha; her struggles in adapting to her new home, sadness over losing what was familiar, and her focus on the particular hardships Korean women have had to deal with were especially eye-opening. This memoir made me feel a whole lotta emotions, and I'd love to read more of Ha's work.
chuskeyreads's review against another edition
2.0
I completely understand the fear and frustration of having your world upended by moving to another country (my dad was in the military, and we moved quite a bit). I also sympathize with being an outcast, having to make new friends, and trying to fit in. I have not, however, experienced the language barrier. That must be difficult to handle for anyone, and I appreciate the way the author illustrated the unfamiliar English words with squiggly curlicues in the speech bubbles. Very clever!
The artwork is beautifully done, and I really like the color schemes, and the layout of each page makes the story simple to follow. Each chapter is illustrated with a single Polaroid-style image that further emphasizes the chapter title.
Maybe it’s just me, but I was expecting a memoir with an uplifting message of perseverance and triumph over the difficulties of learning English and adapting to a new country, school, and environment. Instead, I felt the author approached everything with a negative, sullen, and oftentimes, (I hate to say it) whiny attitude - as though she expects everyone else to read her mind and jump in to help her acclimate despite never asking for help (maybe that’s just the 14-year old mentality). I kept reading hoping that it would get better. Except the six or so pages when the author meets Jessica), the story was pretty depressing.
I would’ve liked to have read more about the Korean culture, and the struggles with being outcast and shamed by family and strangers in Korea. I also would have liked to know more about her life in Virginia.
The artwork is beautifully done, and I really like the color schemes, and the layout of each page makes the story simple to follow. Each chapter is illustrated with a single Polaroid-style image that further emphasizes the chapter title.
Maybe it’s just me, but I was expecting a memoir with an uplifting message of perseverance and triumph over the difficulties of learning English and adapting to a new country, school, and environment. Instead, I felt the author approached everything with a negative, sullen, and oftentimes, (I hate to say it) whiny attitude - as though she expects everyone else to read her mind and jump in to help her acclimate despite never asking for help (maybe that’s just the 14-year old mentality). I kept reading hoping that it would get better. Except the six or so pages when the author meets Jessica), the story was pretty depressing.
I would’ve liked to have read more about the Korean culture, and the struggles with being outcast and shamed by family and strangers in Korea. I also would have liked to know more about her life in Virginia.
Spoiler
NOTE: I teach at a school just outside Huntsville, AL, and we have many students come to our school with limited English language ability from Vietnam, the Philippines, Ukraine, and even Sweden. Our student body is not cruel to new students - in fact, our kids seek out these students to gain insight into their cultures and languages. Yes, kids can be cruel, but not all of them. I just felt the need to defend my state and my husband’s hometown.anamsoomro's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
donplata's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.5
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
4/5
I really enjoyed this book. There isn’t must I can say about it though. I loved reading about the main characters journey and her struggles with moving America. The ending was really sweet
I really enjoyed this book. There isn’t must I can say about it though. I loved reading about the main characters journey and her struggles with moving America. The ending was really sweet
mollz235's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
Really solid graphic novel that pulls at your heart-strings. Good pace. Great introduction of what it's like to emigrate from South Korea.