Though trends in genre and vocabulary continue to evolve, the base knowledge offered here is a valuable starting point.
A thorough primer on history and trends in these storytelling formats.
If anyone is looking to understand the basics of anime and manga—Japanese animated films and comics—or needs more convincing about their tremendous popularity and importance in terms of art, story, and culture, this short read will be of help. Henderson’s overview begins by covering their historical roots and goes through to their global reach and future. Core vocabulary and jargon such as waifu and isekai are explained clearly and are backed by key examples which may be of use to readers as new reading or watching recommendations. The author not only highlights creators, studios, and titles, but takes the time to explore why audiences are drawn to this material through the lenses of identity, escapism, visuals, and storylines. Current events, from recent triumphs at the box office, plans for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and the strain of the Covid-19 pandemic, are also briefly touched upon. Even as it highlights the positives, the book does not shy away from discussing the dark side of the industry, including the poor working conditions that creators and artists endure, from a demanding and strict work culture to a profit structure badly in need of reform.
Though trends in genre and vocabulary continue to evolve, the base knowledge offered here is a valuable starting point. (picture credits, source notes, further research, index) (Nonfiction. 13-18)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-67820-092-3
Page Count: 64
Publisher: ReferencePoint Press
Review Posted Online: July 21, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
A compelling romance inhabited by complex and appealing characters.
When star hockey player Alec Barczewski’s estranged childhood friend, Dani Collins, moves to town, they end up in a mutually beneficial fake-dating relationship that reignites old feelings.
Following her parents’ divorce, Dani and her mom move in with Dani’s hockey legend grandfather in Southview, Minnesota, where she spent a month every summer as a child and where her friendship with Alec grew. Between visits, the two were pen pals, but they eventually fell out of touch. Despite some tensions over their loss of friendship, the high school seniors reconnect. Desperate to get off Harvard’s waitlist, Dani needs another extracurricular activity, while Alec—whose reputation took a hit when a photo of him holding a bong appeared on social media—is eager to improve his tarnished image for NHL scouts. The pair strike a deal: They’ll fake date, making Alec look like a stable guy whose academically gifted girlfriend is related to hockey royalty, and in exchange, he’ll get Dani a team manager position that will catch the eye of Harvard’s admissions officers. Eventually, complicated feelings about their past, stressful family relationships, and their brewing romance boil over. Romance fans will love the deliciously tension-filled scenes between Alec and Dani, who are believable friends with heavy demands weighing on them. They feel like real teenagers, and readers will enjoy rooting for them as the well-paced story unfolds. Main characters present white.
A compelling romance inhabited by complex and appealing characters. (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 30, 2025
ISBN: 9781665921268
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2025
A winning game of feelingsball.
A former football star, who never thought she’d play again after she came out as transgender, steps back onto the field for one last season to help her team win state.
Grace Woodhouse used to know where she belonged. She had Division I schools lined up to recruit her, but that was before what happened during playoffs last year, before she came out as trans, and before she quit the team. Although her single father and new friend group support her, Grace feels lost as her senior year begins. When one of her old teammates asks her to help him with his technique, she quickly realizes that he and the other captains are hoping for more than her expertise from the sidelines—they want her to rejoin the team. Grace can’t resist the opportunity to play again, but her return draws unwanted national attention that makes her question her future and who she wants to be. Flashback chapters written in the second-person present tense bring Grace’s past to life, which helps maintain momentum and makes her emotional journey feel more immersive. A heartfelt, goofy, and diverse cast of secondary characters surround Grace, who’s white, as she navigates self-doubt, friendship, complicated feelings for her ex-girlfriend, and what she wants to do after graduation. Overall, this coming-of-age sports narrative is honest, gentle, and hopeful.
A winning game of feelingsball. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 13, 2025
ISBN: 9781646145027
Page Count: 344
Publisher: Levine Querido
Review Posted Online: March 8, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2025
PERSPECTIVES
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