- Halfway There: A Graphic Memoir of Self-Discovery
- by Christine Mari
- Little, Brown Ink
- Publication Date: October 15, 2024ISBN-13: 9780316416726
Christine is a young adult who is half American/half Japanese and has never really felt close to either side. After growing up in America, she decides to spend a year in Tokyo determined to find herself but instead feels even more out of place. This book follows Christine as she navigates living in a new place and learns who she is and what it is she wants out of life.
Mari blends humor and relatable personal struggles in a visually engaging format. The memoir explores themes of belonging, identity, and personal growth while offering a raw look at adolescence and mental health. The dynamic art style mimics the tone of the story as it progresses through Christine’s journey. Teens will be able to relate to Chrisine’s experiences of self-doubt, family dynamics, and the search for purpose.
Readers who enjoy self discovery and learning about the other half of oneself like in Brownstone by Samuel Teer and Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang would find this read equally appealing. For those looking for something that can help describe anxiety and depression like Everything is OK by Debbie Tung will want to grab this book.
—Jessica Duong