Book description: The fifth grade. The threshold to puberty, and the beginning of the end of childhood innocence. Shuichi Nitori and his new friend Yoshino Takatsuki have happy homes, loving families, and are well-liked by their classmates. But they share a secret that further complicates a time of life that is awkward for anyone: Shuichi is a boy who wants to be a girl, and … [Read more...] about Wandering Son 1 by Shimura Takako: A
Comics
The Story of Saiunkoku 2 by Kairi Yura and Sai Yukino: B+
From the back cover: Shurei Hong, destitute but of noble birth, has always dreamed of working as a civil servant in the imperial court of Saiunkoku, but women are barred from holding office. The emperor Ryuki, however, refuses to take command, leaving everything to his advisors. Shurei is asked to become a consort to the emperor to persuade the ne'er-do-well ruler to … [Read more...] about The Story of Saiunkoku 2 by Kairi Yura and Sai Yukino: B+
Tidbits: A TOKYOPOP Assortment
TOKYOPOP released a slew of books towards the end of 2010 and quite a few among them are from series I'm either reading or buying and hoarding (as is my wont). In a desperate effort to stay current, I'm tackling some of them in Tidbits format! Alice in the Country of Hearts is up first, with my take on volumes four and five, followed by volumes four through six of Happy Cafe, … [Read more...] about Tidbits: A TOKYOPOP Assortment
Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch: A
From the back cover: Mirka Hirschberg is a spunky, strong-willed eleven-year-old who isn't interested in knitting lessons from her stepmother, or how-to-find-a-husband advice from her sister, or you-better-not warnings from her brother. There's only one thing Mirka does want: to fight dragons! But she'll need a sword—and therein lies the tale! Review: Hereville: How Mirka Got … [Read more...] about Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch: A
Barefoot Gen 1 Keiji Nakazawa: B
From the back cover: Barefoot Gen is the powerful, tragic story of the bombing of Hiroshima, seen through the eyes of the artist as a young boy growing up in a Japanese anti-militarist family. Of particular interest is Barefoot Gen's focus on family in a militarized culture, and the special problems which they encounter. Barefoot Gen brings home the reality of an event in our … [Read more...] about Barefoot Gen 1 Keiji Nakazawa: B