Ink

May 13, 2013
Sun’s debut picks up on themes popularized in manga, like the minor deities of Shinto folklore, as the basis for her planned Paper Gods series. Sixteen-year-old Katie Greene is disoriented, grieving, and angry. Her mother recently died, and Katie has been shipped off to a guardian halfway around the world in Shizuoka, Japan. It’s perhaps not surprising that Katie would spurn the overtures of smiling boys to stalk Tomohiro, who’s maddening, mercurial, and artistically gifted. He’s at ease maintaining barriers between himself and his Japanese classmates, but Katie’s bluntness and aggressive pursuit disarm him and pique an equal interest. The mystery of Tomohiro appears connected to his art—specifically, the ink that runs thickly in his presence, and the drawings that come to life under Katie’s shocked gaze. This is very much a scene-setting book, and readers will come away more enlightened about contemporary Japanese high schools than any older aspect of the culture, but it’s an enjoyable peek at a world very different from America, yet inhabited by people whose hearts are utterly familiar. Ages 14–up. Agent: Melissa Jeglinski, the Knight Agency.

June 15, 2013
An American girl falls in love with a being from Japanese mythology. Orphaned Katie Greene's custodial grandfather is battling cancer, so she's sent to live with her aunt, Diane, in Japan. At school there, Katie witnesses the handsome kendo star, Yuu Tomohiro, coldly dumping his girlfriend--and more importantly, Katie glimpses a drawing he did moving by itself. Tomohiro's a familiar romantic hero, broody and mysterious while hiding a good heart under a rough exterior, as does his best friend, who immediately dislikes Katie and who has connections to the Yakuza, or Japanese organized crime. The boys' friendship is surprisingly well-developed, especially considering Katie's bland relationships. Katie focuses on following Tomohiro and delving into his mysteries--the dark rumors about his past and why his drawings move. She breaks through his tough exterior and learns he's a Kami, a Shinto god, and that he has trouble controlling his drawings, which not only come to life on the paper, but can leap off of it as well. He has even more trouble when Katie is near, causing danger for them both from multiple sources. The text is peppered with Japanese words and phrases (defined in a glossary), the effective setting echoing Katie's immersion into Japanese culture. Interior spotlight art illustrates Tomohiro's drawings and features a couple of small flip animations. The ending leaves many mysteries unanswered, predictably setting up a sequel. For readers wanting a multicultural version of a familiar romantic storyline. (Paranormal romance. 12-17)

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July 1, 2013

Gr 8 Up-Still distraught over her mother's sudden death, Katie is unwillingly transplanted from New York to live with her aunt and attend high school in Shizuoka, Japan. Her already off-kilter life turns truly surreal when she has a run-in with the school's handsome yet troubled kendo star, Tomohiro, who draws sketches that seem to come to life. Determined to uncover the truth behind his supernatural artistry, Katie becomes entangled in a web of secrets involving the ancient gods of Japan. Readers will relate to the spunky heroine, even as she makes some questionable decisions. Her presence exacerbates Tomohiro's powers, causing his drawings to turn dangerous, yet she finds herself unable to stay away from him. The plot and Katie and Tomohiro's deepening relationship build gradually, leading to a suspenseful third act involving the Japanese mafia and an ending that will leave teens eager for more. Due to the author's experience of living in Japan, the book's setting is authentic, and the depiction of an outsider learning to belong in a new culture rings true. Manga and anime fans will likely understand most of the Japanese vocabulary used, but those unfamiliar with it may feel overwhelmed. While this story may not break new ground in the realm of paranormal romance, it puts an imaginative spin on Japanese mythology.-Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2013
Grades 9-12 As if being uprooted and sent to live in Japan was not a difficult enough transition, American high-schooler Katie Green finds herself at the heart of a paranormal mystery. She develops a dangerous attraction to aloof Yuu Tomohiro, a senior who is able to bring ink to life through the act of writing or drawing. For reasons unknown, Katie's presence galvanizes this gift, and Tomohiro's drawings become increasingly difficult to control, which eventually attracts the attention of the Yakuza (the Japanese mafia) and the Kami (Japanese gods believed to be mythical but who are very much alive). Initially antagonistic, Katie and Tomo's relationship comes together over the shared grief of having lost their mothers. But the ink indicates that they should stay away from each othera warning they successfully ignore with dramatic consequences. Katie's tendency to jump to conclusions, cry, and act before she thinks is frustrating, but it leaves plenty of room for growth. The descriptions of life in Japanparticularly teen lifecreate a strong sense of place, and set a vivid backdrop for this intriguing series opener by a debut author.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)