Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story by Sarah Myer

Abstract

Reviewed by: Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story by Sarah Myer Danica Ronquillo Myer, Sarah Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story; written and illus. by Sarah Myer. First Second, 2023 [272p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781250268792 $25.99 Paper ed. ISBN 9781250268808 $17.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R* Gr. 9-12 Living in Maryland with her white parents in the 1980’s, Korean adoptee Sarah Myer has an active imagination. Her older adoptee sister and classmates find her rambunctious personality distasteful, but she is steadfast in her love for mermaids, drawing, and watching anime and cosplaying to express her queerness. These outlets help Sarah feel “safe and happy, shrouded in my identity as an artist. But something dark still lurked beneath”; she doesn’t know who her own birth parents are and cannot feel a sense of belonging anywhere as she experiences racism and bullying at school. As she enters middle and high school, she increasingly uses violence to defend herself and push people away, unable to control her anger and feeling as though she is a monster. This is a fierce graphic memoir with grit and honesty, and Myer’s mix of cartoon and sketch illustrations powerfully portray the loneliness of exploring marginalized identities within predominantly white, hetero spaces, with unsupportive faculty members and rising homophobia. While sparkling bright color palettes easily convey Sarah’s sense of joy and freedom at attending art and pop culture events, the bright hues contrast with the deforming panels, aggressive line work, and intense dialogue to skillfully capture Sarah’s dehumanizing experiences at school and deep insecurities. Visceral imagery of anatomical bodies and the ghoulish physical manifestation of anger represent Sarah’s raw, uncomfortable emotions. Eventually, Sarah finds a support system in her parents, who are sympathetic and admit their regrets for not doing enough for her, and in a theater club whose members genuinely want to be friends with her. Sarah’s father offers the keen observation that “sometimes people try to invade your world without trying to understand or respect it,” underscoring the book’s message to young people to find their happiness and build the life they want for themselves. End matter has an author’s note and adoptee and mental health resources. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois