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freybrarian's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
missprint_'s review against another edition
4.0
Moving to a new country means a lot of changes for Lilico Takada. In Japan Lilico was popular and the captain of her school basketball team. In Brooklyn, Lilico has to start from scratch with her best friends on the other side of the world and a whole new school culture to figure out--all while working on improving her English. When Lilico's hopes of finding new friends on the basketball team ends with a painful rejection, Lilico finds unlikely help from her cat, Nico, who turns out to be way more than a regular housecat.
With magical Nico dispensing advice and two new friends excited about Japanese culture (and talking cats), Lilico finally start to find her footing. As Lilico navigates a year full of changes for her entire family, she'll take any help she can to figure out where she fits in Bounce Back (2021) by Misako Rocks!
Bounce Back is a standalone graphic novel filled with sports, friendship, and some magic. The book reads in the Western (left-to-right) style with artwork in Misako's typical manga-infused style. The pages include quick asides, footnotes, and even back matter with a guide to draw Nico, create some of the characters' signature fashions, and learn Japanese. Nico's transformation from beloved pet cat to talking guardian spirit also makes this a great stepping stone from magical girl stories to more contemporary fare.
Lilico comes from a close-knit family and Bounce Back does a great job of showing the upheaval for both Lilico and her parents as they adjust to the move--especially Lilico's mom who has to work even harder to make her own friends and learn English since she doesn't work outside of the home. With a strong focus on basketball this graphic novel blends sports with Japanese culture and even fashion as Lilico and her new classmates find intersecting interests.
Full color illustrations are easy to follow and bring Lilico and her semi-magical world vibrantly to life. Bounce Back is a fun manga-style graphic novel perfect for anyone whose ever had to deal with being the new kid.
Possible Pairings: Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas, Ahmed Aziz's Epic Year by Nina Hamza, Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai, Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte, Front Desk by Kelly Yang
With magical Nico dispensing advice and two new friends excited about Japanese culture (and talking cats), Lilico finally start to find her footing. As Lilico navigates a year full of changes for her entire family, she'll take any help she can to figure out where she fits in Bounce Back (2021) by Misako Rocks!
Bounce Back is a standalone graphic novel filled with sports, friendship, and some magic. The book reads in the Western (left-to-right) style with artwork in Misako's typical manga-infused style. The pages include quick asides, footnotes, and even back matter with a guide to draw Nico, create some of the characters' signature fashions, and learn Japanese. Nico's transformation from beloved pet cat to talking guardian spirit also makes this a great stepping stone from magical girl stories to more contemporary fare.
Lilico comes from a close-knit family and Bounce Back does a great job of showing the upheaval for both Lilico and her parents as they adjust to the move--especially Lilico's mom who has to work even harder to make her own friends and learn English since she doesn't work outside of the home. With a strong focus on basketball this graphic novel blends sports with Japanese culture and even fashion as Lilico and her new classmates find intersecting interests.
Full color illustrations are easy to follow and bring Lilico and her semi-magical world vibrantly to life. Bounce Back is a fun manga-style graphic novel perfect for anyone whose ever had to deal with being the new kid.
Possible Pairings: Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas, Ahmed Aziz's Epic Year by Nina Hamza, Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai, Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte, Front Desk by Kelly Yang
timeforproblems's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
kristinakg's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
herasrevenge88's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
library_kb's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This wasn't a new favorite graphic novel, but it wasn't bad either. It would be a good middle grade story--dealing with friendships and bullies and moving to a new country and sports. There is a slight romance, but it definitely isn't a major part of the book. I was surprised at the talking cat aspect, but it was fun.
sunshine8473773's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
bluehairedlibrarian's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A middle-of-the-road sports graphic novel about a girl trying to find her place through basketball. When Lilico learns that her family is moving to the US, she is upset to leave her friends and basketball teammates behind. When she gets to Brooklyn, she especially misses them as she tries to get through her days at a new school as an outsider, who has difficulty speaking English. It's not until the star of the boys' team becomes friends with her that anyone takes her basketball skills seriously.
The illustrations are manga-inspired cute, but I had a hard time accepting the mean girls on the basketball team letting Lilico in so easily once they saw that she was a good player. I would have liked to have seen more about her daily struggles in a new country with a new language, but as the story is circled around basketball, it makes sense it focuses elsewhere. Nothing about this really stands out to me.
The illustrations are manga-inspired cute, but I had a hard time accepting the mean girls on the basketball team letting Lilico in so easily once they saw that she was a good player. I would have liked to have seen more about her daily struggles in a new country with a new language, but as the story is circled around basketball, it makes sense it focuses elsewhere. Nothing about this really stands out to me.
_morgueann's review against another edition
4.5
A light-hearted graphic novel about middle grader Lilico, who moves from Japan to New York. It's hard for Lilico to adjust to life in America - new school, bullies and no basketball team like back home. As Lilico tries to find her way, she receives help from an unexpected source: her cat, who can now magically talk. Lilico makes friends with a duo of "outcasts" who are totally awesome, but she still wants to play ball! As she continues to build a life for herself, her friendships will be challenged. A feel-good and fun read.
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The anime vibes in this I think will definitely draw in some middle grade readers! The characters were also great, struggling with things that a lot of people struggle with in middle school. Especially balancing different friend groups and trying to find where exactly you fit in.
However, I do think it longer than it needed to be. I appreciated everything Lilico was struggling with, I just think some of the plot lines could have been taken out. But other than that, if you're looking for a middle grade sports graphic novel, I'd recommend picking this one up!
However, I do think it longer than it needed to be. I appreciated everything Lilico was struggling with, I just think some of the plot lines could have been taken out. But other than that, if you're looking for a middle grade sports graphic novel, I'd recommend picking this one up!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying