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Skim: 08/17/09
Set in the early 1990s, Skim by Mariko Tamaki is about Kimberly 'Skim' Keiko Cameron and her time at an all girls academy in Toronto. She's a Goth and a Wiccan and half Japanese. She wants to fit in somewhere but she's not sure how or where. Skim deals with many of the same themes as Emiko Superstar, also by Mariko Tamaki: self acceptance, lesbianism, and growing up in a biracial family. This book though delves deeper and includes discussion of suicide, a more frank discussion of teenage sex and the ways in which teens can be taken advantage of both by other teens and by adults. Of the two books, I prefer Emiko Superstar for the balance between the teenage and adult problems. By having Skim experience first had all the issues the book becomes one long angst filled slog-fest. Like Emiko Superstar, Skim was nominated earlier this year for a Cybils in the graphic novels category. It lost to Emiko. Comments (2) Comment #1: Tuesday, August, 18, 2009 at 20:57:38 I read this and her other book and thought it was great. Considering it was you that recommended them, thanks! Comment #2: Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 10:53:34 Pussreboots I'm glad you enjoyed them. I think I would have enjoyed Skim more if I hadn't just read Emiko Superstar. It set my expectations in the wrong direction. |