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Cover of Almost American Girl: An Illustrated Memoir

Almost American Girl: An Illustrated Memoir

by Robin Ha

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A powerful and moving teen graphic novel memoir about immigration, belonging, and how arts can save a life--perfect for fans of American Born Chinese and Hey, Kiddo. For as long as she can remember, it's been Robin and her mom against the world. Growing up as the only child of a single mother in Seoul, Korea, wasn't always easy, but it has bonded them fiercely together. So when a vacation to visit friends in Huntsville, Alabama, unexpectedly becomes a permanent relocation--following her mother's announcement that she's getting married--Robin is devastated. Overnight, her life changes. She is dropped into a new school where she doesn't understand the language and struggles to keep up. She is completely cut off from her friends in Seoul and has no access to her beloved comics.…

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"In this eye-opening graphic memoir, author Robin Ha tells the story of how she and her mother moved to the U.S. from South Korea when she was a young girl. Honest, funny and at times painful, Ha chronicles her earnest efforts to understand American culture, fit in with her Korean American cousins and make sense of her mother’s deep desire to live and work in the U.S. The book sheds light on what life is like in America through the lens of a new immigrant family – and the powerful bond between mom and daughter."
NPR Books We Love — 2020 · apps.npr.org