Ichiro by Ryan Inzana

Release Date: March 20th 2012

Immediate reaction to this book *gasp* samurais! But it's not that at all. It's actually more profound than that. Ichiro is a half American half Japanese. He idealizes his father who fought in Iraq. He carries around a solider book that once belonged to him and generally thinks he knows it all. His perspective about war changes when he goes from his home in New York to Japan as a result of his mother gaining a job opportunity. He is to live with his grandfather who shows him what war really is about.

The book interweaves the legends and past with Ichiro's story. And then it gets even better when he actually goes into a different world and sees the world of the Gods he's been hearing so much about. All of a sudden these bird creatures and all around freaky looking things are there and he soon realizes that all is not right in their world either. But before all that you might be wondering "What's up with the raccoon behind him?" Well that raccoon starts the story off. it is actually a tanuki - a shapeshifter and he'll become very important in Ichiro's story.

Wow. Not at all what I expected to be. I guess I just looked at the cover assumed and then asked for it. I loved the legends described in the book. It brought more to the story. As well as the descriptions of modern day war especially the aftermath of the Hiroshima bombing. The way Ichiro reacts to it was in a way that you would think someone who just had changed their mind. And for a kid it's a big deal especially the way he acted in the beginning. Again like he knew everything. He acts like he's cool and nothing affects him with his sunglasses on but the truth is he's hurting. This was a great beginning to this story and I REALLY want to know what happens next! The end just left you with a hole wide open to the plot. Ugh. Darn you authors... so cruel.

Loved the artwork. Sorry I can't find any from the book but I put the picture below because it seemed appropriate. You guys should check out his website: http://ryaninzana.com/illustration.html to get a feel of what he can do.