Our Graphic Novel Preview series invites readers to look inside graphic novels. This month, we’re highlighting the emotionally engrossing middle-grade graphic novel No Such Thing as Perfect by Misako Rocks! November 7th.
Emma can’t help comparing herself to her bright and popular older sister, Julia. Try as she might, Emma can’t seem to please her mom as much as her sister does.
The more Emma measures herself alongside Julia and others, the more pressure she feels to try to change. But trying to be as good as everyone else at everything is exhausting and frustrating.
With help from her friends and basketball teammates, as well as Lexi, the French bulldog she’s dogsitting, Emma realizes that there’s no such thing as “perfect”—and it feels better to be true to herself, instead of trying to please others. But will other people, especially her mom, understand that Emma may not excel at the same things as her sister?
Out Now
Out Now
Out Now
Be on the lookout for Bounce Back the book that started it all!
Bounce Back by Misako Rocks!
Ages 9 – 13
On Sale Now
Lilico, with the help of her cat, must learn to adjust to a new country, a new school, and new pressures in Bounce Back, a middle grade graphic novel from author/illustrator Misako Rocks! about finding your team and finding yourself.
Lilico’s life in Japan is going well. She has great friends and is the captain of the school’s basketball team. She’s happy!
Then comes her parents’ news: they’re moving to America! Before she knows it, Lilico finds herself in Brooklyn, New York, forced to start all over. And that won’t be easy with her closest friends thousands of miles away or a school bully who immediately dislikes her.
Luckily, anime-loving Nala and Henry eventually befriend Lilico and with help from them—along with her guardian spirit who looks a lot like her cat, Nico—Lilico just might figure out where she fits in.
This is age-appropriate, kid-friendly manga for kids—both elementary and middle school—that tells a story about friendship, new beginnings, and doing what you love, no matter what.
Praise for Bounce Back:
“This story hits all the middle school sweet spots—friendship struggles, bullying, popularity, and awkward crushes….Though this book will have special appeal to manga readers, the universal story and engaging art will delight a wide range of middle schoolers.”—School Library Journal
