UNHAPPY CAMPER

Two sisters rekindle their relationship as they immerse themselves in their culture at a Taiwanese American summer camp.

Middle schoolers Michelle and Claire were once two peas in a pod, but as they grew older, the sisters drifted apart. While Claire proudly embraces their Taiwanese heritage, Michelle wants nothing more than to fit in at their predominantly white school. To her older sister's disapproval, Michelle does everything that she can to impress Jess, the white-presenting leader of a popular clique, even at the cost of her own comfort. In the hopes of giving them some quality bonding time, their parents send them both to summer camp, where they meet new friends and learn about Taiwanese culture. Despite some early skepticism, the two begin to reconnect and see each other in a different light. After forging genuine friendships and gaining a newfound appreciation for her cultural background, Michelle rethinks her relationship with Jess. Although the dialogue is a little clunky at times, the sisters’ bond feels realistic; with nuance and care, this graphic novel captures the struggles and frustrations of those caught between cultures. Michelle’s awkwardness at camp and her anxiety while overthinking interactions with Jess will also feel relatable to anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider. The artwork has an appealingly exaggerated, mangalike flair, vividly bringing to life the sisters' emotions.

A solid tale of sisterhood, friendship, and finding comfort and pride in one’s cultural identity.