Skim
Skim
By Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki. Published by Groundwood Books.
Softcover, 144 pages, B&W, 2010.
A New York Times Book Review choice as one of the 10 Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2008.
Skim is Kimberly Keiko Cameron, a not-slim, would-be Wiccan goth stuck in a private girls' school in Toronto. When a classmate's boyfriend kills himself because he was rumoured to be gay, the school goes into mourning overdrive, each clique trying to find something to hold on to and something to believe in. It's a weird time to fall in love, but that's high school, and that's what happens to Skim when she starts to meet in secret with her neo-hippie English teacher, Ms. Archer. But when Ms. Archer abruptly leaves, Skim struggles to cope with her confusion and isolation, armed with her trusty journal and a desire to shed old friendships while cautiously approaching new ones.
Depression, love, sexual identity, crushes, manipulative peers --teen life in all its dramatic complexities is explored in this touching, pitch-perfect, literary graphic masterpiece. Cousins Mariko and Jillian Tamaki collaborate brilliantly in this poignant glimpse into the heartache of being sixteen.
Mariko Tamaki
Mariko Tamaki is a writer and performer. Her work includes the novella Cover Me, creative non-fiction collections True Lies and Fake ID, comics Emiko Superstar (with Steve Rolston) and Skim (with Jillian Tamaki), and the young adult novel (You) Set Me On Fire. Visit Mariko Tamaki's website: http://www.marikotamaki.com Visit Mariko Tamaki's blog: http://www.marikotamaki.com/blog Follow Mariko Tamaki on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/marikotamaki
Jillian Tamaki
Jillian Tamaki is a cartoonist and illustrator. Originally from Calgary, Alberta, she now lives in New York City, where she teaches at the School of Visual Arts. She has published two books of personal work and one graphic novel, Skim, with Mariko Tamaki. Visit Jillian Tamaki's website: http://www.jilliantamaki.com/ Visit Jillian Tamaki's blog: http://blog.jilliantamaki.com/ Check out Jillian's webcomic: http://mutantmagic.com/ Follow Jillian on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dirtbagg
Stunningly drawn, [Skim] brilliantly charts the deep and sometimes desperate conflicts and moods that prevail in teen years...Easily accessible, it gives a sympathetic and realistic view of adolescence.
- Winner Doug Wright Award - Best Book, 2008
- Long-listed YALSA Best YA List, 2008
- Long-listed YALSA Great Graphic Novels List, 2008
- Long-listed Harvey Awards - Best Graphic Album, 2008
- Commended New York Times Best Illustrated Books, 2008
- Long-listed Lulu of the Year Award, 2009
- Short-listed Governor General's Literary Awards: Text, 2008
- Commended Bloomsbury Review's Editor's Favourite Books of 2008, 2008
- Commended Texas Maverick Graphic Novels Reading List, 2009
- Commended ALA Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens, 2009