The Inker's Shadow

An engaging and inspiring portrait of a young artist's determination to follow his dream. Those who are familiar with Drawing from Memory will be happy to pick up with Allen Say as a fifteen-year-old and learn about the first few years after he moved from Japan to the United States. Also an immigrant and coming-of-age narrative, the book stands well on its own and will resonate with a wide range of readers. Say's teenage years were unique and specific to the time period and place, but his trials, such as learning a new language, facing prejudice, and having a difficult relationship with his father, are universal. Serves as a testament to the positive influence a teacher or other invested adult can have in a young person's life. In Say's case, a kind high school principal changed the direction of his experience in the United States: "Yesterday I thought I was going to jail or to sleep in an orange grove. Today I leap four years in my schooling, and maybe have a job! One kind American changed my world." (Say's high school art teacher was also hugely supportive and encouraging; in his author's note, Say says, "I still wonder what my life would have been without [Mr. Nelson Price and Mrs. Laura Swope]. Would I be an artist today?") The striking images-a combination of paintings, sketches, and cartoons-immerse readers in Say's world. Throughout, Kyusuke (a popular Japanese-comic character, which Say's Japanese mentor based on him) appears as Say's "cartoon double," acting as a foil and providing levity: "That's it! Be like Kyusuke! Life's an adventure!"