Firebird: A Graphic Novel

by Sunmi, Sunmi (Illustrator)

Overview

Sunmi’s gorgeous two-color teen graphic novel debut examines the power of resilience and reinvention, following the lives of Caroline and Kim, two queer, Asian American teenagers growing up in the suburbs of the San Francisco Bay Area, as they forge an unexpected connection.

Caroline Kim is feeling the weight of sophomore year. When she starts tutoring infamous senior Kimberly Park-Ocampo—a charismatic lesbian, friend to rich kids and punks alike—Caroline is flustered . . . but intrigued

Their friendship kindles and before they know it, the two are sneaking out for late-night drives, bonding beneath the stars over music, dreams, and a shared desire of getting away from it all.

A connection begins to smolder . . . but will feelings of guilt and the mounting pressure of life outside of these adventures extinguish their spark before it catches fire?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062981516
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	07/18/2023
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

Editorial Reviews

Gripping and thoughtful. — Kirkus Reviews

Debut creator Sunmi’s grayscale graphic novel artfully captures the trials and tribulations of one teen’s experience wrestling with who she’s always been and who she wants to be via emotive facial expressions and youthful language, making for a sensitive and meditative character study. — Publishers Weekly

A beautiful coming-of-age story. — Booklist

From the Publisher

2023-05-24
A Korean American teen’s stifled life changes when she makes an unexpected friend.

When sophomore Caroline Kim agrees to peer tutor another student, she doesn’t expect it to be the outgoing, charismatic, and beautiful Korean and Filipina American senior Kimberly Park-Ocampo. The friendship that grows between them mirrors their slow-burn attraction, depicted through teasing dialogue, blushes, and emotive moments. As Caroline and Kim grow closer, the depictions of Caroline’s ongoing struggles with low self-esteem, anxiety, and self-consciousness about her body are masterfully woven into their romance. Similarly, Caroline’s complicated family dynamics with her mother, overseas father, and older sister are realistically shown, particularly her mother’s controlling and emotionally distant parenting style. By contrast, Kim works as a team with her mother to run the household, watch her younger siblings, and work side jobs while still being available for her friends. The stark contrast between the two teens, their families, goals, and experiences as Asian Americans creates intriguing thematic parallels. As Caroline discovers positive aspects of herself through her relationship with Kim, the firebird as a symbol of transformation is somewhat successfully depicted through red feather motifs that stand out from the largely black-and-white art. However, the story’s impact is diluted by haphazard flashback scenes. Despite an otherwise engrossing emotional journey, the finale peters out.

Gripping and thoughtful, but the clunky ending disappoints. (Graphic fiction. 13-16)

Kirkus Reviews