Almost American Girl

Robin’s mom surprises her by driving her to a comic bookstore where they are hosting a comics class. Robin is inspired and intimidated by how the other students are drawing full comic panels with original characters, while she is drawing character sketches of her favorite existing characters from manga and Korean comics.

After class, a girl named Jessica compliments her drawings. Jessica is part Japanese, speaks fluent Japanese, and knows many of the same comics Robin loved back home. The two strike up an immediate friendship. Robin begins practicing drawing original comic panels for class. Jessica becomes her first best friend in the United States.

Her friendship with Jessica helps her English rapidly improve and gives Robin the confidence to ask Sarah if she can sit with her at lunch.

Tension is growing between Robin’s mother and the stepfamily. Her mother-in-law continuously scolds her for not helping Mr. Kim find work in LA. Finally, Robin’s mother goes to LA to see if living there is a viable option for her and Robin. Though Robin’s step-aunt takes good care of her, she still does not fit in with her cousins and stepsister, especially Ashley. Robin spends most of her time with Barry, her stepfamily’s dog, who they ignore and keep chained up in the backyard.