With the Light: Raising an Autistic Child is the story of the Azuma family. Eldest son Hikaru has autism, and the series chronicles the struggles and satisfactions that his parents and teachers experience as Hikaru gradually learns to function in the world. This chunky volume from Yen Press, equivalent to volumes three and four of the original Japanese release, focuses on … [Read more...] about With the Light 2 by Keiko Tobe: B+
Yen Press
Very! Very! Sweet 2 by JiSang Shin and Geo: B
Tsuyoshi, sent from Japan to Korea by his grandfather in order to discover his roots, has begun attending school with his neighbor, the tomboyish Be-Ri. When Tsuyoshi’s uncle asks Be-Ri to look after him, she finds herself doing things like showing him the way home after school and abandoning her own lunch when it occurs to her that he might be eating his in the classroom all … [Read more...] about Very! Very! Sweet 2 by JiSang Shin and Geo: B
With the Light 1 by Keiko Tobe: B+
From the back cover: To new mother Sachiko Azuma, her baby boy is the light of her life. Accordingly, she names him Hikaru, Japanese for "to be bright." Eager to raise her son, Sachiko gradually begins to notice that Hikaru seems a bit different from other children. He is reluctant to be held or hugged, and his growth and development appear slow. Sachiko's suspicions are … [Read more...] about With the Light 1 by Keiko Tobe: B+
S. S. Astro 1 by Negi Banno: C
The fact that I am not the intended audience for this title was made readily apparent when the eight-page color illustration collection in the front of the book contained not only a hot springs scene (complete with buoyant bosoms), but also an image of a character looking shocked to be discovered in the act of clutching a skimpy towel around her nude and glistening body while … [Read more...] about S. S. Astro 1 by Negi Banno: C
Very! Very! Sweet 1 by JiSang Shin and Geo: B
If you had stripped this book of all identifying marks and given it to me to read, I never would’ve guessed it was from the same creative team behind Rolling. It’s got solid characterization for one thing, and a plot that looks like it’ll actually go somewhere! Both of the main characters are likable in their own way. Be-Ri is an animal-lover who’s raising money to protect … [Read more...] about Very! Very! Sweet 1 by JiSang Shin and Geo: B