A graphic memoir set in 1983 in South Korea describes events during the author's freshman year of college at Anjeon University. Kim Hyon Sook is a serious student who wants to succeed academically, so she's surprised, and rather annoyed, on the first day when she has to push her way through a student protest against President Chung to get into the building where her classes are. She loves her young, charismatic English literature teacher and is attracted to Hoon, the smart, cute boy who sits next to her in one class. When Hoon, who turns out to be a leader in the student movement, invites her to attend one of his book club meetings, she readily agrees-what could be better than Hoon and books together? But the students aren't discussing just any books, they're discussing books that have been officially banned by the South Korean government. Through the discussions, Hyon Sook is exposed to radical ideas and develops a much deeper understanding of why change is needed, a transformation that defies expectations of her parents in spite of their own break with tradition (they own an American-style steakhouse). Then members of her Banned Book Group, now her friends, start getting arrested. This fascinating portrait of one young woman's political awakening has clear parallels with young people's activism in the United States and around the globe today. Dynamic black-and-white artwork shows a range of visual perspectives. (Age 13 and older)