QQ Sweeper, Volume 1

January 1, 2016

Gr 7 Up-Fumi Nishioka is a new transfer student who is now homeless because she's been abandoned by her family. Fumi is single-mindedly pursuing her Cinderella dream of finding a rich Prince Charming who will support her. Kyutaro Horikita (aka "Q") is a quiet boy who spends most of his time cleaning and whose father is the principal of the school. Q finds Fumi sleeping in an abandoned area of the school, and he soon discovers that Fumi has the ability to see the mystical doorways and monstrous creatures that only special people like Q and his father can see. Fumi moves in with Q and his father, joining them in their "sweeper" tasks, which involve both physical cleaning and using positive energy to drive out the darkness and unhappiness that can cause people emotional harm. This is an unusual and atmospheric story that will take readers and the characters through unexpected twists and turns. Teens will especially enjoy how Fumi evolves throughout the story, reconsidering the idea that a rich boy can fix all of her problems and stepping up to face the dangerous challenges that her new job provides. Motomi's artwork expertly captures the changing moods of the story, from dreamy and romantic to dark and ominous. VERDICT Combines the Japanese obsessions with maid culture and the paranormal in a unique and engaging way.-Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

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