A review by corinnekeener
This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki

5.0

This may be coded for YA and have been given honors by some awards for books for young people (like the Caldecott), but Mariko Tamaki’s writing and emotional work really transcends age groups. I think that while this is the story about a young girl, it’s wholly appropriate for both young readers and adults - and not even in that “It’s ok! to read The Hunger Games in your forties” kind of way. As an adult, it felt nostalgic in a sort of heartbreaking way to read about one girl’s summer in that liminal space between childhood and playing-at-grown adolescence. I imagine as a young person the same book would read as very relatable. Like with their other graphic novel, Skim (also highly recommended by me), Tamaki touches something so raw that I am completely transported back to those feelings. I really don’t think you can go wrong with her work. The story is paired here with incredible, sometimes photographic, almost cinematic illustrations by Jillian Tamaki. It’s really beautiful.