Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story

Transracial adoptee and comics artist Myer (Create a Costume!) details their childhood navigating bullying and self-image issues in the 1980s and ’90s in this vulnerable graphic memoir. Myer and their older sister Lizzy, who are South Korean and have different biological parents, were adopted at birth and raised in rural Maryland by the Myers, a white-cued farm couple. Though Lizzy got along well with her classmates, Myer often felt excluded from activities because of their intense interest in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and mermaids, resulting in emotional outbursts that further separated them from their peers. Their love of drawing, however, provided nominal acceptance. “Even if... people didn’t like me, they seemed to like my art,” Myer writes. But continued bullying rooted in gender and race caused Myer to “internalize my emotions... with monstrous results.” Even so, Myer’s passion for cosplay, art, and animation provided an outlet to explore their gender, sexuality, and future goals. Myer’s cinematic style makes for a dynamic approach; complexly layered panels, highly saturated hues, and clear, linear sequencing offer accessible windows into Myer’s emotions. Those wrestling with feelings of disconnect from their communities will find validation in this confessional read. Ages 14–up. (June)