A Sky of Paper Stars by Susie Yi (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: A Sky of Paper Stars by Susie Yi Danica Ronquillo Yi, Susie A Sky of Paper Stars; written and illus. by Susie Yi. Roaring Brook, 2023 [240p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781250843883 $22.99 Paper ed. ISBN 9781250843890 $14.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 4-6 Korean-American Yuna feels out of place from her friends who eat pizza and have sleepovers, while she is stuck with homemade lunch boxes and overprotective parents. After a heated argument with her mom, she remembers a legend her halmoni (grandmother) told her about folding a thousand paper stars and making a wish. Her wish to go to Korea—where she hopes to fit in better—is fulfilled, but in the worst way: her family receives tragic news that her halmoni passed away and they must travel to Korea for the funeral. As Yuna carries grief and guilt about making the wish, her body starts to turn into paper, and she believes the only way to make things right is to undo the wish and bring her halmoni back. Inspired by personal memories and stories from her family, Yi layers an exploration of intergenerational relationships with magical realism in this heartfelt middle grade graphic novel. The storytelling is well-paced, and the illustrations' compositions and placement of thought bubbles highlight Yuna's struggles as she balances both her Korean and American identities, depicted by her body turning transparent and her blurred reflection in a bathroom mirror. Borderless panels and a cool color palette convey the calm, nostalgic mood of Yuna's family members as they recall memories about her halmoni, immersing young readers in what life was like in Korea before immigrating to America. An author's note is included. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois