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“Debut creator Sunmi’s grayscale graphic novel artfully captures the trials and tribulations of one teen’s experience wrestling with who she’s always been and who she wants to be via emotive facial expressions and youthful language, making for a sensitive and meditative character study.”

– Publishers Weekly

Firebird: A Graphic Novel

Written by Sunmi
Illustrated by Sunmi
Published by HarperAlley

Sunmi’s gorgeous two-color teen graphic novel debut examines the power of resilience and reinvention, following the lives of Caroline and Kim, two queer, Asian American teenagers growing up in the suburbs of the San Francisco Bay Area, as they forge an unexpected connection.

Caroline Kim is feeling the weight of sophomore year. When she starts tutoring infamous senior Kimberly Park-Ocampo—a charismatic lesbian, friend to rich kids and punks alike—Caroline is flustered . . . but intrigued

Their friendship kindles and before they know it, the two are sneaking out for late-night drives, bonding beneath the stars over music, dreams, and a shared desire of getting away from it all.

A connection begins to smolder . . . but will feelings of guilt and the mounting pressure of life outside of these adventures extinguish their spark before it catches fire?

Primary ISBN:
Publication Date: July 2023
Available As: Paperback, eBook
Young Adult, Age 13 or older

Community Represented: ,

Themes: , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (San Francisco CA)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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