Book

In Limbo

Name: In Limbo
ISBN: 9781250252661

Deb JJ Lee

First Second · Print & ebook · March 7, 2023

Reading lane: Asian American U.S. History for Teens

A Graphic Novels pick for readers exploring In Limbo.

Graphic Social Topics Parents Asian American U.S. History for Teens

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At a Glance

Why This Clicks

Belonging, Drawn

A graphic memoir about belonging, mental health, and finding a way back to heritage and self.

Come here for

Korean-American identity explored through language, family, and belonging
Expressive art alongside candid mental-health reflection

Expect

A coming-of-age account that includes a suicide attempt
Slow healing through art, self-care, and renewed connection to heritage

Book Details

Authors: Deb JJ Lee
Publisher: First Second
Published: March 7, 2023
Format: Print & ebook
Theme: Asian American U.S. History for Teens · Graphic Social Topics
Reading lane: Asian American U.S. History for Teens

Affinity

Asian American U.S. History for Teens
89%
Graphic Social Topics
82%
Parents
80%

Publisher Categories

Graphic Social Topics
Parents
Asian American U.S. History for Teens

About This Book

Read full description

A debut YA graphic memoir about a Korean-American girl's coming-of-age story—and a coming home story—set between a New Jersey suburb and Seoul, South Korea. Ever since Deborah (Jung-Jin) Lee emigrated from South Korea to the United States, she's felt her otherness. For a while, her English wasn’t perfect. Her teachers can’t pronounce her Korean name. Her face and her eyes—especially her eyes—feel wrong. In high school, everything gets harder. Friendships change and end, she falls behind in classes, and fights with her mom escalate. Caught in limbo, with nowhere safe to go, Deb finds her mental health plummeting, resulting in a suicide attempt. But Deb is resilient and slowly heals with the help of art and self-care, guiding her to a deeper understanding of her heritage and herself. This stunning debut graphic memoir features page after page of gorgeous, evocative art, perfect for Tillie Walden fans. It's a cross section of the Korean-American diaspora and mental health, a moving and powerful read in the vein of Hey, Kiddo and The Best We Could Do .