Chuna Ha and her mother have taken many international vacations while they were living in their native Korea. One day Chuna's mother tells her that they are going to Alabama for a visit with one her mother's friends. Chuna doesn't think Alabama sounds interesting but packs her bags for the trip. After a month in Huntsville, Alabama Chuna's mother informs her that they are staying there permanently as she is going to marry their host, Kim Minsik. Chuna is horrified. She hates Alabama and misses her friends in Seoul. She did not even get the opportunity to say goodbye to them or pack up all of her belongings. While her mother arranges for their belongings to be sent to them in Alabama, Chuna, now Robin, begins her awkward assimilation into American culture.
Almost American Girl is a wonderful coming to America story. It is told with so much emotion that the reader can "feel her pain" as she learns English while simutaneously attending school and trying to get along with her step family who ignore her most of the time. It is easy for native born Americans to understand the immigrant experience by reading this story.
I loved the colorful drawings. Ha used alot of color when she was showing her life in America. When she looked back on life in Korea the author used sepia tones. You would think that she would have used the sepia for her life in America since she had such a difficult experience adjusting to life here. However, she did adjust and I assume she now enjoys living in America.
This is a must read for graphic novel fans. In addition, I think young adults would benefit from reading this story of a new immigrant. 5 out of 5 stars!
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