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howiedoowinfam's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
eldritch_horror's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
anastasiabookgirl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
danielles_reads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This is so damn good! I've read quite a few young adult graphic novels, and almost all of them left me feeling rather underwhelmed. This one, though, really blew me away. It's age appropriate for teenagers, while still being so emotional for adults as well.
I love that this memoir included so much reflection, which is always my favorite part of memoirs. Myer regularly pointed out things that they* did wrong, or events where they got lucky. They also analyzed some other people's reactions to discuss why they might have reacted the way they did because of what they had experienced. It's a really honest and vulnerable approach that made what the author went through hit so much harder.
I seriously cried so often throughout this book, especially during the second half. No one deserves to go through the things that Myer did. Yes, it was mostly due to racism but I think it will deeply affect anyone who has experienced bullying for any reason. Myer wrote in the author's note that this story "is for all who feel or have felt like an outsider" and I think they definitely accomplished that.
Thankfully Myer had such loving and supportive parents. I loved hearing their dad's wisdom, and how he supported their interests (like going to an anime convention!! that alone made me cry lol Myer's happiness was so palpable). I'm not a huge anime fan myself but seeing an episode of anime change Myer's life was so emotional for me. I'm so glad that exists for people.
I love that this memoir included so much reflection, which is always my favorite part of memoirs. Myer regularly pointed out things that they* did wrong, or events where they got lucky. They also analyzed some other people's reactions to discuss why they might have reacted the way they did because of what they had experienced. It's a really honest and vulnerable approach that made what the author went through hit so much harder.
I seriously cried so often throughout this book, especially during the second half. No one deserves to go through the things that Myer did. Yes, it was mostly due to racism but I think it will deeply affect anyone who has experienced bullying for any reason. Myer wrote in the author's note that this story "is for all who feel or have felt like an outsider" and I think they definitely accomplished that.
Thankfully Myer had such loving and supportive parents. I loved hearing their dad's wisdom, and how he supported their interests (like going to an anime convention!! that alone made me cry lol Myer's happiness was so palpable). I'm not a huge anime fan myself but seeing an episode of anime change Myer's life was so emotional for me. I'm so glad that exists for people.
"Sometimes people try to invade your world without trying to understand or respect it. ... Just keep on liking what you like... even if you're the only one in the whole damn school who does!"
"That RACIST little FUCKER! I hope you hit him HARD."
Plus, the artwork is amazing. There is so much detail on every page! I loved that I got to check out a physical copy of this to really appreciate all the colors and line work. The way Myer drew their internal monster was so scary and yet so true to life. Myer said in the beginning that they've always had a wild imagination, and it definitely shows with all the visualizations of their past self's thoughts. And I liked the lettering too!
Wow... I'm a HUGE dork, hehe.
Just seeing the author share all their interests without any self-consciousness, no matter how "weird" it might seem to people, was so refreshing.
Ultimately, I'd definitely recommend this to all readers, whether teens or adults. Myer's story deserves to be shared and read by more people.
Ultimately, I'd definitely recommend this to all readers, whether teens or adults. Myer's story deserves to be shared and read by more people.
* Note: The author currently uses they/them pronouns, but only she/her are used throughout the book.
dwarrowdams's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Really sad but powerful book about the impact of racism (specifically anti-Asian racism) on the author’s life. Mind the CWs, but the art is lovely and the book is very much worth your time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Bullying, Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Homophobia
Moderate: Violence and Sexual harassment
theultmtfangirl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0