Monstrous

April 24, 2023
Transracial adoptee and comics artist Myer (Create a Costume!) details their childhood navigating bullying and self-image issues in the 1980s and ’90s in this vulnerable graphic memoir. Myer and their older sister Lizzy, who are South Korean and have different biological parents, were adopted at birth and raised in rural Maryland by the Myers, a white-cued farm couple. Though Lizzy got along well with her classmates, Myer often felt excluded from activities because of their intense interest in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and mermaids, resulting in emotional outbursts that further separated them from their peers. Their love of drawing, however, provided nominal acceptance. “Even if... people didn’t like me, they seemed to like my art,” Myer writes. But continued bullying rooted in gender and race caused Myer to “internalize my emotions... with monstrous results.” Even so, Myer’s passion for cosplay, art, and animation provided an outlet to explore their gender, sexuality, and future goals. Myer’s cinematic style makes for a dynamic approach; complexly layered panels, highly saturated hues, and clear, linear sequencing offer accessible windows into Myer’s emotions. Those wrestling with feelings of disconnect from their communities will find validation in this confessional read. Ages 14–up.

Starred review from June 1, 2023

Gr 8 Up-Korean American Myer recounts their childhood dealing with racism and questions about their sexuality in this graphic memoir. Myer (using she/her pronouns during the events of the narrative) and her older sister were both born in South Korea, but adopted as infants by a white couple who live in rural Maryland. While Myer's sister seems to have an easier time with her peers, the author struggles from an early age. She finds a level of acceptance as a talented artist, but as an early fan of anime and cosplay, struggles to fit in at school, particularly in the face of blatant racism that goes ignored by the staff. Myer acts out often and has a long road to self-acceptance, but her loving parents support her interests, and she earns a hard-won redemption as she heads off to college. The illustrations are well done and contrast her everyday life with vividly colored manga-inspired art in her dream world. As the narration unfolds, the title and front cover will come into focus as her self-hatred builds. Teachers and librarians should put this book in the hands of youth to whom they know it could make a difference, given the unflinching truth found within the pages. The resources listed at the end are an additional bonus. VERDICT For fans of Jarrett Krosoczka's Hey, Kiddo and Robin Ha's Almost American Girl, this coming-of-age memoir will appeal to youth who are struggling with their identity. This engaging graphic novel is a recommended purchase for all libraries.-Nancy McKay

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from April 15, 2023
An adopted teen struggles with monstrous submerged anger amid bullying and self-criticism in this graphic memoir. Author Myer, South Korean by birth, grew up in rural Maryland with White adoptive parents and a sister, Lizzy, who was adopted from a different South Korean family. Unlike Lizzy, who was popular and did well in school, rambunctious Sarah didn't quite fit in, playing more easily with boys than girls. However, a wildly vivid imagination and burgeoning artistic talents helped Sarah interact with others; Sarah's focus on drawing and animation wasn't just a hobby, but a passion and an ongoing lens for relating to the outside world. Sarah's use of anime cosplay to explore curiosity about gender expression and sexuality skillfully expresses central elements of the book and adds complexity to this coming-of-age story. The frequent racial microaggressions of early childhood escalated over time, with racist and homophobic White middle and high schoolers insulting, physically bullying, and harassing Sarah on a daily basis. As Sarah internalized this hatred, it was magnified by self-doubt, much of which was centered around being adopted, and it began to manifest as an angry, monstrous self that lashed out violently at bullies, friends, and even family. The themes of anxiety and self-image are powerfully depicted by contrasting the more minimalist drawing style in fairly neutral tones with dramatically shaded and dynamic panels. Immersive and engrossing: a beautifully depicted emotional journey. (resources, author's note, photos) (Graphic memoir. 13-18)

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Starred review from May 15, 2023
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* "And, sure, my life could've turned out any number of ways if I hadn't been given up for adoption," debut graphic novelist Myer muses. "But this is the story of how I came to decide for myself who I am and who I want to be." Born in South Korea as Kim Ok-Kil, Myer arrived as an infant in August 1986 in "super rural" Baltimore County, Maryland, as the younger daughter of a white couple with another adopted Korean child. Recalling her upbringing as a young adult gives Myer the self-awareness--and the vocabulary--to describe more accurately her experiences. She had a "hyperactive imagination" that fueled nightmares; a "constant, underlying, anxious desire to impress"; and battled "shame and loneliness." Ultimately, she "internalize[d her] emotions . . . with monstrous results." Although her parents remembered her as a happy child, "things never remained blissful for long." Growing up in a homogenous community meant being relentlessly bullied, hassled, and targeted. Anger, even violence, was part of Myer's armor. Drawing, anime, and manga were the tools that helped her survive. Her powerful memoir is an empathic gift, presented in full technicolor with never-static panels, showcasing raw energy. As specific as her personal history is, her audiences should prove notably broad: "This story doesn't just belong to me," she adds in her author's note, "it is for all who feel or have felt like an outsider."

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Starred review from November 1, 2023
Myer's graphic memoir is a welcome transracial adoption story told from the adoptee's point of view. Adopted from South Korea by a white couple, Sarah (who now uses they/them pronouns) basically knows nothing about their birth parents and wonders: "Did they WANT me? Why did they let me go?" An outsider in basically every way in their rural Maryland town, Sarah has a rough time at school. Artistic abilities that help them gain popularity with elementary-school classmates can't shield them from race- and gender-based bullying during adolescence. Though they often fight back both verbally and physically, the years of abuse take their toll; at moments when Sarah is feeling especially bad about themself, and during retaliation, Myer imagines themself as a monster. Sarah finds solace through a love of anime: "cosplaying male characters with whom I identified was my sole means of expressing my queerness." Myer uses color, shading, and line effectively, and varies panel size with excellent results. Those who stick with the unflinching depictions of the bullying Myer endured will be rewarded with an engaging -- and ultimately �� hopeful narrative of a young artist developing their own true identity. Back matter includes websites for resources and support, an author's note, and photos. Sam Bloom

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)