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Summary
Summary
Jen Dik Seong, aka Dixie, is dirt poor and living on the ragged edge of LAsKoreatown. Her only outlet is the ancient martial art of hapkido, and shes onthe verge of winning a championship--until she falls for surfer boy Adam. Older teens.
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up-Jen Dik Seong, or Dixie, is having trouble getting her ki focused. Normally an outstanding hapkido student, she finds that her crush on classmate Adam is affecting her ability to fight. This is not good, as the national competition is fast approaching, and her parents expect her to do well. Spurred on by her hormones, Dixie makes a series of poor choices. She decides to spend the entry fee (which her parents have saved up to give her) on an elaborate birthday present for Adam, trusting that she will be able to win a free spot in the tournament instead. And when her best friend objects to this plan, Dixie hits her, nearly ruining their friendship. Dixie needs to figure out how to set things straight, and to see the people around her more clearly if she hopes to have any chance at the competition. This is a terrific read that features complex characters dealing with internal and external conflicts that make them believable and endearing. Lively black-and-white illustrations bring action and emotion to the story, which should appeal to martial-arts fans and anyone who has experienced the drama of high school relationships.-Dawn Rutherford, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Carey's (God Save the Queen) story of a young martial artist in love is funny and touching in equal parts and is carried off in fine style. Jen Dik Seong (Dixie) is Korean-American, and her outlet is hapkido, a form of martial arts that originated in Korea. She also sports a "life-threatening crush" on fellow competitor Adam, and in an effort to win his affection, she buys him an expensive statue-with the money she was supposed to use to enter the big upcoming tournament. Adam doesn't care about the statue and re-gifts it to the girl of his dreams; since she no longer has the money to buy a seat, Dixie has to get into the tournament the hard way, through open trials. Adam shows his true colors shortly before the finals, asking her to throw the match; spunky kid that she is, Dixie refuses, and with help from a "bad boy" with a heart of gold named Dillinger, regains some much-needed inner confidence. Dixie is a charming and spirited protagonist, one who often breaks narrative to address the reader ("Don't even read this chapter-please!" she exclaims several panels before getting grounded; elsewhere she fusses at a friend to get out of her caption box). Liew and Hempel's (My Faith in Frankie) artwork is angular and wiry, ethnicities hinted at but played down; fight scenes are kinetic and slightly stylized, with a touch of manga influence. Ages 12-up. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Booklist Review
"*Starred Review* Well-developed characters, plot, and setting make this graphic novel a standout for both dedicated comics readers and those less eager to explore titles in the format. Korean American teenager Dixie and her best friend, Avril, practice hapkido, a martial art. There is a big hapkido tournament coming up in their South Central Los Angeles neighborhood, but Dixie, who has a firey disposition, loses her focus when she develops a crush on another teen hapkido artist, Adam. She spends her contest entry fee on an exorbitant gift for him and then realizes that he has no romantic interest in her. When Dixie attempts to win a free spot in the tournament at a neighborhood (library-centered!) competition, the other contestants, who are rougher street kids, disparage her efforts. Plot twists, which are both credible and nicely paced, include a falling out between Dixie and Avril, an accident that provides Dixie with an entry ticket to the big event, vengeance on Adam, and a new flame for Dixie. The black-and-white artwork is bouncy and pops with expressive faces, postures, and martial arts moves. This story works visually and as a sound narrative where action, romance, and introspection combine in an enjoyable and realistically multiethnic whole."--"Goldsmith, Francisca" Copyright 2007 Booklist
Library Journal Review
In Re-Gifters, fiery Korean teen Dixie woos hapkido dojang-mate Adam with an expensive gift, but Adam's heartthrob is glam-girl Megan. Meanwhile, Dixie's fighting spirit gets the attention of school bad boy, loan shark, and bookmaker Tomas, a.k.a. Dillinger. Affections change as the gift changes hands, and when Adam tries to get Dixie to throw the hapkido championship, Dixie is ready to respond to Tomas's real affection and support despite his reputation. This delightful martial arts romantic comedy shows fine plotting, simpatico characters, and fluid, manga-influenced art. The Plain Janes tells a more complex and darker tale with plainer, Dan Clowes-style art. Caught in a terrorist attack, high schooler Jane changes hair, mindset, and-compelled by her frightened parents-city and school. Spurning the in-crowd, she recruits other outcast Janes to stage guerilla-style art attacks, tagged P.L.A.I.N.: People Loving Art in Neighborhoods. The hyperparanoid authorities are not amused, but P.L.A.I.N. wins over most of the other kids. The premise is intriguing, relevant, and disturbing, even as the resolution leaves more questions. When is an art attack sabotage, graffiti, or vandalism? How can people reinvent their lives despite fear? DC's new Minx line promises eclectic, real-world stories that honor girls' intelligence and assertiveness, and these two titles deliver. Recommended for teens up.-M.C. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.