Graphic Novel Review: Cardcaptor Sakura, by CLAMP

Bibliographic Information:
CLAMP. Cardcaptor Sakura: Volume 1. Los Angeles: Tokyopop, 2003.

ISBN-13: 978-1591828785

Summary:

Sakura is a normal Japanese fourth grader until the day she finds a mysterious book in her father's library.  When she opens the book, she accidentally releases the Clow Cards - mysterious sources of elemental power created by the magician Clow and trapped in the book - and is told by the book's guardian that she must now collect all the cards she let loose before disaster befalls the world.  With the help of her best friend (and costume designer) Tomoyo and the Guardian of the Seal, Kero, Sakura sets off to recapture the cards one by one as they appear in her hometown.

Audience:

Ages 8+

Strengths:

Beautiful artwork
Strong, engaging story and characters
Dynamic panel layouts help the story to flow along at a good pace
Large, clear sans-serif font is easy to read

Weaknesses:

Format (read right to left) may be confusing, especially for beginning readers
Some readers may be put off by the artwork being in black and white rather than in color, as is standard in American graphic novels
Many of the characters act older than the ten year olds they are, which may make it hard for kids of the same age to relate

Uses:

This graphic novel would serve as a good introduction to the Japanese art of manga as well as Japanese culture in general, whether in a world cultures unit or an art class.  Students could also design their own Clow cards and decide what sort of powers they have.  This title can also be used with reluctant or slower readers, as the story is engaging with a lower amount of text than in a normal novel.

 Read-alikes:

CLAMP Campus Detectives, CLAMP
Man of Many Faces, CLAMP
Chi's Sweet Home, Konata Konami
Sailor Moon, Naoko Takeuchi
Babymouse, Jennifer Holm

Awards:

Seiun Award for Best Manga, 2001