Author/ Artist: Takaya Natsuki
Tokyo Pop 2007
ISBN: 1-59182-603-9
Plot Summary:
Recently orphaned after the death of her mother, Tohru Honda goes to live with her grandfather. Then he has to remodel his home, and Tohru chooses to live in a tent in the forest. While living in the forest, Tohru meets the Sohma family. They are interesting and she learns that when any of them hugs a member of the opposite sex, they immediately transform into their zodiac animal. Tohru enjoys the Sohma family and becomes very close to them, and eventually lives with them for free in exchange for work around their home. They all come to appreciate one another and she becomes an important fixture in their lives.
Critical Analysis: Tohru becomes an orphan as a high school student. This is an important time in a person's development and to lose one's parents is difficult. Tohru is fortunate to build a relationship with the Sohma family and despite their unique secret, they are not dangerous to Tohru. Tohru exhibits grace and courage in the face of adversity.
Annotation: High school student, Tohru Honda is recently orphaned. While living in the forest after her grandfather cannot have her stay in his house, she meets the Sohma family. They invite her to come live with them and soon she becomes an important part of their family.
Genre: manga
Curriculum ties: There are no real curriculum ties for this title.
Booktalking Idea:
1.) When Tohru learns about the Sohma family, what did you think about the supernatural quality of the family?
2.) Is it surprising that Tohru fits in so well?
3.) How would it be to lose a parent as a teen and then be forced to leave the next guardian's house?
Reading level/ Interest Age: 7th grade and up
Challenge Ideas: none
Selection Reasons: When I interviewed the teens for our class, I asked which manga titles they preferred. Then I talked to Denise Stutzman the Teen Librarian for La Mesa Library, and she told me that it is one of the favorites and most requested. In addition, the story
Author Information: Takaya's real name is Naka Hatake. We know her for her series Fruits Basket. She was born on July 7, 1973. Takaya is left-handed and she said once that she wanted to be a manga artist since first grade, when her sister started drawing. She was raised in Tokyo where she made her debut in 1992. She enjoys playing video games such as Final Fantasy. Her series Fruits Basket is the second best-selling shojo manga sold ever in Japan and is numer one in North America.
No comments:
Post a Comment