Almost American Girl

How does Robin’s relationship with her mother transform over the course of the graphic memoir? What does the memoir suggest about mother/daughter bonds and familial ties more generally?

Compare and contrast Robin’s experiences in Alabama and Virginia. How is each state depicted in the graphic memoir? How does each state shape Robin’s immigrant experience and developing personal identity?

Both Robin and her mother face judgment and prejudice from their peers. How does this judgment and prejudice differ between Korea and the United States?

Consider the things Robin can do in her memoir because of her use of the graphic memoir genre. What are some of the benefits in using this form? How does it help shape the memoir’s narrative style and themes?

Robin often pictures herself either in pre-existing comics, or in fantastical or fictional scenarios. What role does drawing, writing, and/or reading stories play in Robin’s life?

Though Robin’s mother is the only other consistent character, other characters play a role in her life for brief periods of time: Bryan, Mrs. Halls, Ashley, Diane, or Jessica. What is the significance of these characters? How do Robin’s interactions with them shape her personal growth and perspective?

Robin faces many obstacles as she tries to fit into life in the United States. Some are internal, like her struggle with self-doubt. Some are external, like Ashley’s lies about English translations. How does Robin overcome these obstacles? What role do they play in her maturation and general acclimatization to her new homeland?

At the end of the graphic memoir, Robin returns to Korea but is bothered by many of the customs she notices. How has her perspective and identity changed? What does the memoir suggest about the nature of identity?