SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About/Contact
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Manga
  • All Ages
  • Young Adult
  • Interviews
  • News

January 15, 2019 by Johanna

Review: ‘Satoko and Nada’ Volume 1

January 15, 2019 by Johanna   Leave a Comment

Satoko and Nada

Satoko and Nada Volume 1
by Yupechika with script advisor Marie Nishimori
Seven Seas Entertainment, $12.99

Satoko is a Japanese woman attending college in the United States. Nada is from Saudi Arabia, covers her hair, and practices Islam. Each of the single-page, four-panel comic strips in Satoko and Nada captures a bit of their everyday life as they room together and learn more about each other.

Obviously well-meaning — the English-language publisher promoted the title as showing how friendship builds “mutual respect” — the book is also quite entertaining. These two young women are realistic, talking about what they wear or sharing food traditions and dishes. Many strips explain details of Muslim behavior. One thought-provoking sequence features the two and their new friend, a Christian named “Miracle”, comparing religious beliefs, with the others surprised by Satoko’s polytheism and kind-of Buddhism.

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Satoko and Nada Volume 1

The one false note is an early storyline (unusual for this mostly episodic series) in which Satoko gets in a car with a stranger. The temporary danger/action staging doesn’t fit well with the rest of the book, although it does demonstrate how they care for and look out for each other.

This is a comfortable, easy read, with plenty of good-hearted humor. It was originally serialized online, explaining the basic art and simplified figures, which adds to the series’ approachability. A special story at the end of the book shows why Nada wanted a roommate and how they met. Satoko and Nada is a great way to learn about other ways of everyday life.

Filed under: Manga, Reviews, Young Adult

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments
cultureJapaneseMuslimroommatesSeven Seas Entertainment

About Johanna

Johanna Draper Carlson has been reviewing comics for over 20 years. She manages ComicsWorthReading.com, the longest-running independent review site online that covers all genres of comic books, graphic novels, and manga. She has an MA in popular culture, studying online fandom, and was previously, among many other things, webmaster for DC Comics. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

February 2023

Insomniacs After School, vol. 1 | Review

by Johanna

January 2023

My Sister, the Cat, vol. 1 | Review

by Johanna

January 2023

SHY, vol. 1 | Review

by Johanna

November 2022

Romantic Killer, vol. 1 | Review

by Johanna

October 2022

No Longer Heroine, vol. 1 | Review

by Johanna

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

One Star Review, Guess Who? (#184)

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

Announcing the 2023 Winners of the Annual Blueberry Literary Award!

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

Review: Nat the Cat Takes a Nap

by Esther Keller

Heavy Medal

March suggestions: early Mock Newbery possibilities

by Emily Mroczek-Bayci

Teen Librarian Toolbox

The Transformative Power of Books, a guest post by David Aleman

by Amanda MacGregor

The Classroom Bookshelf

The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving

by Erika Thulin Dawes

The Yarn

Newbery Medalist Amina Luqman-Dawson visits The Yarn

by Colby Sharp

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

15 Returning Faces for Graphic Novels Shelves | Series Update

Shoujo Manga: Let's Hear It for the Girls | Mondo Manga

Graphic Novel Series Updates for Both Die-Hard Fans and New Readers

Latinx Graphic Novels to the Fore | Stellar Panels

8 Pitch-Perfect Manga for Music-Loving Teens | Mondo Manga

Commenting for all posts is disabled after 30 days.

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

Follow This Blog

Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

Primary Sidebar

  • News & Features
  • Reviews+
  • Technology
  • School Libraries
  • Public Libraries
  • Age Level
  • Ideas
  • Blogs
  • Classroom
  • Diversity
  • People
  • Job Zone

Reviews+

  • Book Lists
  • Best Books
  • Media
  • Reference
  • Series Made Simple
  • Tech
  • Review for SLJ
  • Review Submissions

SLJ Blog Network

  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal
  • Neverending Search
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn

Resources

  • 2022 Youth Media Awards
  • The Newbery at 100: SLJ Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Award
  • Special Report | School Libraries 2021
  • Summer Reading 2021
  • Series Made Simple Spring 2021
  • SLJ Diverse Books Survey
  • Summer Programming Survey
  • Research
  • White Papers / Case Studies
  • School Librarian of the Year
  • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
  • Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award

Events & PD

  • In-Person Events
  • Online Courses
  • Virtual Events
  • Webcasts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Media Inquiries
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Content Submissions
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms of Use
  • Terms of Sale
  • FAQs
  • Diversity Policy
  • Careers at MSI


COPYRIGHT © 2023


COPYRIGHT © 2023