50 pages • 1 hour read •
Almost American Girl
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Book Brief
240
Graphic Memoir • Nonfiction
Huntsville, Alabama • 1990s
2020
Balzer + Bray
YA
12-17 years
Super Short Summary
Almost American Girl by Robin Ha is a graphic memoir about a young Korean girl who permanently relocates to Alabama with her single mother, facing cultural and language barriers, racism, and ever-changing family dynamics. Through flashbacks, the memoir explores her mother's struggles as a single parent in Korea and the difficulties Robin faces while trying to adapt to her new life in the United States. The source text includes detailed accounts of racist actions and derogatory language.
Emotional
Contemplative
Melancholic
Inspirational
Hopeful
Reviews & Readership
14,721 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Almost American Girl by Robin Ha is commended for its emotional depth and captivating illustrations, powerfully depicting the immigrant experience and teenage struggles. Criticisms point to its episodic narrative and occasional pacing issues. Overall, it resonates well with young adults and those interested in multicultural stories.
Who Should Read Almost American Girl?
Readers who are fans of graphic memoirs addressing cultural identity and the immigrant experience will appreciate Almost American Girl by Robin Ha. If you enjoyed American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang or Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, this heartfelt and visually engaging story will resonate with you.
14,721 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Robin’s Mother
Robin’s Mother
A single mother and pivotal figure in Robin's life, whose decisions to move continents are driven by the desire to provide a better life for her daughter free from societal judgment. Her complex relationship with Robin is marked by cultural pressures and a deep-seated wish for independence and autonomy.
Almost American Girl is a graphic memoir that combines beautiful, hand-drawn illustrations with a moving narrative about cultural identity and adaptation.
Robin Ha originally started her career as a fashion designer and later turned to creating comics, which eventually led to the publication of Almost American Girl.
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The book highlights Ha's journey from being fascinated by Korean comics, known as "manhwa," to becoming a comic artist herself, showcasing her diverse artistic influences.
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240
Graphic Memoir • Nonfiction
Huntsville, Alabama • 1990s
2020
Balzer + Bray
YA
12-17 years
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