An American girl is sent to live in Japan, where her aunt lives, after the death of her mother. Adapting to the culture, food and language is hard enough for the gaijin, foreigner, but she walks into an awkward situation at school as well. Katie has got the hang of bowing to the teacher, and joins the Tea Ceremony club with her girl pal Yuki, but she is caught eavesdropping on an older boy breaking up unpleasantly with his girlfriend. Social standing is very important to the Japanese and the boy, Tomohiro, is not pleased. Later Katie is doodling in class and her INK drawings seem to come to life, scaring her. But that can't happen, can it?

Cherry blossoms are unfolding, making everyone happy, and Katie feels a little less homesick as she carries a bentou box of food for a class picnic. Tomohiro has given up calligraphy class for kendo, fencing with bamboo swords, and Katie fees like being assertive, so she joins too. Tomo also is an excellent artist, and Katie wants to become friendly with him, but he has a dangerous reputation. His ink drawings do come to life, she realises as she gets to know him, and even the bird images are hostile. Why does she like him so much? And what will happen when he draws a dragon?

In Japan the students take turns to clean the school, there are two thousand written characters to learn and everyone drinks green tea and rides the bullet train. I found the location very well described with lots of little quirks; doubtless the Japanese would find our lifestyle just as amusing. Although the Japanese traditionally value blending in, today's young people are shown to dye or bleach their hair, with an evening of melon sodas in a karaoke bar as entertainment. The book contains some lovely line drawings, from a wagtail or horse to an elongated dragon.

Amanda Sun has described a culture clash and an interesting, smart heroine, in a modern fantasy which occasionally turns dark. Japanese words are clearly explained at the time of use and there is a glossary at the back; words like moshi moshi, for hello, while on the keitai, or mobile phone. INK will be enjoyed by young adults and art students anywhere.

Book Summary

Ink is in their blood.

On the heels of a family tragedy, Katie Greene must move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn't know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks and she can't seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.

When Katie meets aloof but gorgeous Tomohiro, the star of the school's kendo team, she is intrigued by him…and a little scared. His tough attitude seems meant to keep her at a distance, and when they're near each other, strange things happen. Pens explode. Ink drips from nowhere. And unless Katie is seeing things, drawings come to life.

Somehow Tomo is connected to the kami, powerful ancient beings who once ruled Japan—and as feelings develop between Katie and Tomo, things begin to spiral out of control. The wrong people are starting to ask questions, and if they discover the truth, no one will be safe.