Reading List: Almost American Girl
The Hueman Collective Reading List
Every other month, a staff member from Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers selects a book for our reading list. This month’s selection is "Almost American Girl" by Robin Ha, chosen by Amy Brinkerhoff.
Are you in a reading rut? I highly recommend picking up a graphic novel like Robin Ha’s “Almost American Girl.”
As a 31-year-old (somewhat) adult, I am drawn to narratives that explore identity, and I love reading coming-of-age stories that are capable of resonating with anybody. Growing up is hard, and learning how to navigate middle and high school is never easy. Even though we all have different experiences, most of us can relate to the feeling of being treated as an outsider and that intense surge of loneliness it incites. I devoured “Almost American Girl” in one sitting. This teen graphic memoir left me feeling overwhelmed with so many emotions.
Ha takes us on a journey throughout her formative years using beautiful and powerful illustrations and narration. She shares about her mother’s struggles raising a daughter as a single mom in Seoul, South Korea. When she is 14 years old, they abruptly relocate to Huntsville, Alabama. She is thrust into the terrifying world of being the only non-English speaking student in her middle school. In hopes of reinventing herself, she chooses “Robin” as her English name. The use of speech bubbles ingeniously depicts the frustration and confusion Robin feels while having to learn a new language in school. It is important to note that this story occurs in the 1990s! Facebook, Instagram and TikTok are nonexistent. Robin does not even have an email address, so she is completely isolated from her friends and the familiarity of South Korean culture.
Robin’s love of art and comics is what finally provides her with a community of friends. Art is a language all its own and provides a common bond. While she becomes more comfortable living in the states, Robin still dreams of returning to her life in Seoul. When she is finally able to visit seven years later, Robin realizes that her idealized vision of South Korea is not the perfect place she envisioned. While she may not fit in perfectly in Korea or America, Robin has confidence in her self-worth and is self-assured in her identity as a Korean American. Wow! I have chills thinking about the ending of this book right now!
You can purchase "Almost American Girl" by Robin Ha at Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers: 149 E. Magnolia Ave Auburn, AL 36801. You can also support AOCB by purchasing this title and others online at bookshop.org/shop/auburnoilbooksellers.
Read our story, “New Pages Of An Old Story,” to learn about AOCB’s deep roots in the community and their inspiration for opening an independent bookstore in downtown Auburn.
Amy Brinkerhoff
