When Asuka’s brother lands his dream job as a detective, he and his sister relocate from Okinawa to Yokohama. Asuka begins attending a private high school where the principal secretly finances “the chivalrous burglars rocking the world, Bogle.” Bogle consists of a pair of good-looking boys (and their faculty advisor) who specialize in retrieving precious items for their … [Read more...] about Bogle 1-2 by Shino Taira and Yuko Ichiju: C
Manga
Papillon 1 by Miwa Ueda: B+
When I was in the sixth grade, a particular series of books was very popular. It focused on a pair of blonde twin sisters, the older of whom was kind and thoughtful while the younger was selfish and scheming. Most of the time, the good twin allowed her conniving sibling to have her way, but when it came to a certain boy, she drew the line. Their names were Elizabeth and Jessica … [Read more...] about Papillon 1 by Miwa Ueda: B+
Case Closed 1 by Gosho Aoyama: B-
From the back cover: Precocious high school student Jimmy Kudo uses his keen powers of observation and astute intuition to solve mysteries that have left law enforcement officials baffled. Hot on the trail of a suspect, Jimmy is accosted from behind and fed a strange chemical which physically transforms him into a grade schooler! Taking on the pseudonym Conan Edogawa, he … [Read more...] about Case Closed 1 by Gosho Aoyama: B-
One Piece 1 by Eiichiro Oda: B+
From the back cover: As a child, Monkey D. Luffy was inspired to become a pirate by listening to the tales of the buccaneer "Red-Haired" Shanks. But his life changed when Luffy accidentally ate the fruit of the Gum-Gum Tree and gained the power to stretch like rubber... at the cost of never being able to swim again! Years later, still vowing to become the king of the pirates, … [Read more...] about One Piece 1 by Eiichiro Oda: B+
Cat Street 1 (Japanese) by Yoko Kamio: B+
Book description: Keito Aoyama was a child star until the age of nine, when she froze up on stage in front of a live audience. The incident ended her career, and she's spent the past seven years a recluse, spending most of the time in her room and socializing with no one. An encounter with an eccentric principal leads her to El Liston, a school for kids who haven't fit in at … [Read more...] about Cat Street 1 (Japanese) by Yoko Kamio: B+