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  4. Division of Arts and Humanities

Common Read

Common Reading Initiative at Penn State Altoona for First-year Students

Book Cover: Almost American Girl by Robin Ha

Sponsored by the Division of Arts and Humanities

Robin Ha's Almost American Girl will be the Common Read for the 2022-23 academic year.

This coming-of-age story is that of 14-year-old Chuna, who moves with her mother from Seoul, Korea, to Huntsville, Alabama. This work offers a rich exploration of a strained, yet loving, mother-daughter relationship; the difficulties of living in and between multiple cultures; and the power of art, specifically the vibrant medium of comics and often poignant genre of memoir, to form connections between people and to offer an outlet of powerful self-expression.

Almost American Girl will lead the community into rich discussions of the Asian American experience, belonging, art as a means for connection, bullying, the search for identity, culture shock and immigration, and cultural expression.

Almost American Girl is a 2021 Walter Award honoree memoir. Ha’s second book, Cook Korean!: A Comic Book With Recipes, is a New York Times bestselling cookbook graphic novel.

Ha grew up in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to the United States at 14. After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design, she moved to New York City and worked in the fashion industry for several years before diving into comics. Her work has been published in independent comics anthologies as well as in the pages of Marvel Comics and Heavy Metal Magazine.

Ha strives to make comics that are entertaining and empower the readers to become more accepting of themselves and others. She is currently working on her third graphic novel inspired by the Korean folklore of Gumiho.

Common Read

  • Questions for the Common Read Author
  • Reflections on "Ghostographs"
    • The Most Dangerous Game
    • Reflecting on "Tess"
    • Look Into the Light
  • Common Read Resources
  • Student Testimonials
    • "Exit West," Give it a Chance
    • "Exit West:" An Anecdote of Undeniable Relevance
    • Questions for Mohsin Hamid
    • Borders, Doors, Responsibilities: A Common Read Event Not to Miss!
    • Lovers' Journey in Reverse: A Found Poem
  • 2019 Writing Contest Winners
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Altoona highlighted

Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
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