 | Girl Crush, vol. 1 (Girl Crush) Author: Tayama, Midori | |
| Price: $9.83 | ||
Summary:
Tenka Momose was a quiet and withdrawn child, but before long she realized that the most effective way to protect herself wasn’t hiding from other kids—it was being the best at everything! After years of armoring herself with excellence, Tenka lives safely atop her cool-girl pedestal, admired and idolized by everyone. But her flawless composure is suddenly shaken by a very average schoolmate’s impressively big dreams. In manga graphic novel format.
Reviews:
School Library Journal (06/27/25)
Booklist (06/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 06/27/2025 Gr 7 Up—Tenka strives to be a girl worthy of her crush, Harumi, so throughout junior high and into high school, she focuses on getting the best grades, excelling in sports, and embracing dancing and singing. Rather than falling madly in love with her, Harumi has been spending his time with another girl, Erian, who dreams of becoming a K-pop star. Tenka and Erian begin competing and auditioning for placement within K-pop talent agencies, striving to be discovered and land a role in the next successful group. This series will delight readers who are looking for stories centered around the Korean music industry but will also find wider appeal with teens who are searching for their way in life. Tenka jumps from one goal to another and has yet to discover what will make her happy, other than chasing the attention of other people. The illustrations embrace a visual fluidity and motion to bring Tenka and Erian's dancing to life in this static medium. VERDICT A great option for fans of entertainment industry and self-discovery stories, or where manga series like "Wandance" and "Skip Beat" are popular.—Sara Smith - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 06/01/2025 Perfect for readers who love K-pop, this is a foray into the ultracompetitive world of Korean idols. When Tenka Momose's mother abandoned her family, Tenka became a bitter, angry outcast. That is, until her classmate Harumi inspired her to strive for perfection. But when K-pop-obsessed Erian seems to steal Harumi's heart with her sincerity and determination, Tenka decides she's going to compete with Erian for the thing she wants the most: K-pop stardom. Soon, the two girls are auditioning for spots at a top agency, but for even the super-perfect Tenka, this is a cutthroat arena that demands the best. Filled with energy and the burn of competition, this embraces the dynamism of K-pop's movement and style through bold lines and stylistic composition. Tenka's drive for perfection is simultaneously a strength and a flaw, which makes for a compelling plot. Tenka has a lot to learn about herself and relating to others, making this a great read for teens who may be having their own inner struggle about ambition and friendship. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
