A review by crystalisreading
Gadget Girl: The Art of Being Invisible by Suzanne Kamata

3.0

This was a cute, short read. Aiko was a likable teenage protagonist. Some of her behavior was typical teenager and a little difficult, but given the challenges and family issues with which she was dealing, I think she was a pretty emotionally healthy, well balanced girl. Her friendship with Whitney feels sweet and real and healthy. The interactions with boys like Chad and Luke and even Herve seem realistic too--awkward and exciting and boring and sweet and sad and real. Aiko's mom is a complex and well-developed character who is believably flawed, but with a good heart. Raoul was almost a little too good to be true, but I still liked him and his interactions with Aiko and her mom. I love the setting in France--the experiences felt real, for someone who hasn't been there. The book also manages to sneak in a lot of facts about art, art history, manga, Japanese language and culture, indigo production, French culture/ language/ cuisine/ history, life with disabilities like cerebral palsy, etc, in a way that doesn't feel forced or didactic, just interesting. Overall, a worthwhile and fun little read.