Tamaki, Mariko –
author, & Tamaki, Jillian - illustrator. (2008). Skim. Toronto:
Groundwood Books. ISBN: 978-0888997531.
Annotation
Skim, an angst ridden disgruntled bi-racial overweight teenage girl whose
parents are separated goes to an all-girls Catholic college-prep high school
and attempts to find her identity during this formative time of life in 1993.
My thoughts
Depression, sexuality, spirituality, paganism, suicide, friendship,
self-esteem, and first love are all themes within this book. This character is
snarky. She practices astrology and Wiccan rituals, eats cookies without guilt,
sometimes despises her supposed best friend, rebels against conformity, and
grapples with her emerging gay identity yet she is relatable for many readers
both those who are similar and those who are completely different. One reviewer
said that, “It was pleasant in that way that quietly unpleasant stories are.”
This is how I felt. The book contains difficult issues that show certain
heartaches associated with coming of age.
The tale is narrated by Skim’s thoughtful diary. This allows the reader to have insight
into the Skim's thoughts and feelings and makes the experience of this book
very personal. The diary entries and narrator’s tone seem authentic. The metaphoric entries are a highlight. The
character and the situation is so fragile and different. While being about a
very 'different' person, the differences weren't shown as... differences. They
felt normal. Painful, relatable, and normal. This is a step forward for those
who have been labeled as different. For those who might be lesbian or gay or
dealing with identity or racial issues.
The suicide attempt of the character of Katie Matthews and the suicide
of her boyfriend who was rumored to be gay are potentially literary trite
rubbernecking events but Mariko and Jillian capture these events in a way that
draws the reader in without becoming stereotyped or tabloid-ish. This level of
respect for the topics and the reader might be one reason for this book’s
success.
The way the main character is rendered reminds me of the traditional depiction
of women in Japanese woodcarving prints and ink paintings. I haven’t read much
Japanese literature (Tales of Genji and modern authors) but I’m assuming that
the character is foiled to the traditional. Skim is very westernized (practices
of wicca and diet are the most obvious examples). Nonetheless, I liked the
black and white style of the illustrations.
However, there were some elements bothered me but I can understand how
this book would be popular for teenagers. I guess that it another part of the success. Now that I'm older, sometimes it's easy to think that these issues don't genuinely afflict teenagers. Skim is a reminder that they do and the book offers cautionary optimism. Things work out and fall into place for Skim in the end of the book. She finds a friend that she can better relate to and the heartbreak is out of sight and her heart. Overall, this is a unique coming of
age story that tells of a conflicted plight that teenage girls will appreciate.
Reading level/ Interest Age
Grade 10 and
up/ age 14 and up.
Reviews and Awards
2008 Governor
General's Literary Award Nominee (more)
2008 Ignatz
Award for Best Graphic Novel
2008 New York
Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books List
2009 Doug
Wright Award Winner, Best Book
2009 Eisner
award nominee (Best Publication for Teens, Writer, New Graphic Album,
Penciller/Inker)
2008 Best of
Books of the Year: Publishers Weekly, Quill & Quire
2011 Most
Awesome Book, Toms River Library Teen Gay Straight Book Club
Author
website: No official
author website found.
Illustrator
website: http://www.jilliantamaki.com/
Media: ink
Genre: graphic novel,
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