Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Trio explores Tokyo and dreams in perceptive graphic novel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
As Himawari House opens, gap-year student Nao returns to Tokyo to explore her Japanese roots. She books a year-long stay at a share-house, where she meets scholarly Hyejung and pragmatic Tina, as well as two enigmatic brothers. Together, they explore the city and compare it to their hometowns, remembering boyfriends, schoolmates, clashes with parents, and much more. It's a lot to pack into one year, but changes come right up to the 12th month.
Is It Any Good?
Funny, smart, and tender, this perceptive graphic novel will speak to anyone who's tried to make herself heard in the world. Comics are a good medium to explore language, and this coming-of-age tale finds unique ways to mix prose and vocabulary of multiple languages. Author-illustrator Harmony Becker portrays his characters' quest for fluency and the heartbreak it sometimes causes. The art is beautifully expressive, the dialogue humorous and sharp. Himawari House is an exciting destination for anyone interested in graphic novels, Asia, and young adulthood.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Himawari House depicts communal living in contemporary Japan. How are the young women able to pursue their goals?
How does language change in biracial communities? Is there a "right" way to speak?
Hyejung is estranged from her parents because of her move to Japan. How can parents and children have better communication in times of stress?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Harmony Becker
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Cooking , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication , Curiosity , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : First Second
- Publication date : November 9, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 380
- Available on : Paperback, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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