Thursday, March 03, 2011

I Am Here by Ema Toyama

Sumino? Who is Sumino? No one seems to know the answer -except for the most popular boy in the class, Hinata. Sumino lacks self-esteem and fears that she will live her life without ever being seen. She has two friends in the world, but they are people who she does not know personally. Sumino knows them from the Internet because they read her blog and give insightful comments. When Hinata finally talks to Sumino, she is overjoyed that someone notices her. The other girls in the class do not feel the same glee. Invisible Sumino may be able to grow in the light that Hinata shines upon her, but she must overcome the other girls first.

I believe that i am here! accurately describes the life of a young girl who is a loner. The reader instantly feels sympathy for Sumino as she encounters other students who run into her or claim that they never saw her because she is invisible. Anyone who has felt left out may connect with Sumino. The hope that Hinata gives her is equivalent to a true friend that one may make in real life. Being a manga, the drawings are done very well, and the facial expressions of the characters match the tone of the book. I recommend this book to someone who likes to read female manga and to those who feel like the character Sumino matches their own situations. This manga is inspirational and shows the benefits to working hard for what you want to achieve.

Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, Pennsylvania United States of America