Insomniacs After School, Volume 1

March 15, 2023
Two insomniacs in Japan develop an unusual friendship. Nakami's high school's now-defunct astronomy club is the subject of rumors involving unrequited love, tragic deaths, and subsequent hauntings, but Nakami doesn't believe in ghosts. He just wants to find somewhere quiet to nap--he's stuck in a cycle of insomnia that's leaving him exhausted and bad-tempered. But since he isn't scared of the supposedly haunted observatory, he's pushed by his classmates to fetch some supplies from a storage cupboard located there. In the process, he discovers that it could actually be a very nice secret hideout if not for the fact that there's somebody else there already. Magari is like him: an insomniac hellbent on not letting other people know that she can't sleep. After she admits that she was the one who made up the ghost story to keep others out of her private napping place, they decide to split the space so they can both use it. Their unlikely friendship starts to develop when they meet outside of school to spend sleepless nights venturing around town. They become close as they share personal stories, bring in furniture to make the room more comfortable, and are even joined by a cat. With adorable illustrations, this slice-of-life story with a dash of romance following two teens brought together by secrets is a short and accessible treat. A sweet, guaranteed feel-good read. (Manga. 13-18)

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March 15, 2023
Grades 7-11 This slice-of-life manga about two teenagers with insomnia is a slow and tender story about building trust. Magaki and Nakami bond over finding a place to rest in their school's abandoned observatory. Alongside their steady, soft romance, there's a wholesome gentleness that is conveyed by the art and the story. The characters struggle with personal insecurities and the ill effects of lack of sleep but also support each other in those struggles. At the end of the first volume, Magaki and Nakami are set to bring back the astronomy club, but the slow-burn nature of this manga means that there is probably much more to come. Mentions of Magaki's history with health issues and some light foreshadowing from things she says while talking to Nakami give the text a melancholy feeling. Perfect for those who loved Yoshitoki Oima's A Silent Voice series, Naoshi Arakawa's Your Lie in April, and Jun Mayuzuki's After the Rain.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

April 1, 2023

Gr 9 Up-Nakami and Magari suffer from similar things: they're cranky constantly, judged by their peers as standoffish, and insomniacs. While helping prepare for the school's festival, Nakami discovers the door to the supposedly haunted old astronomy tower is unlocked. He goes in searching for cardboard but finds a relaxing hideout in which to take a nap. But, he also discovers Magari doing the same! The two confide in each other and decide to make a secret club devoted to celebrating the nighttime they can't sleep through and stolen daytime naps in the astronomy tower. Despite this being about two teens with a pretty severe and untreated illness, it is overall sweet and satisfying to see them get a modicum of the peace they've been longing to have. This might turn into a romance later, but it's refreshingly pretty platonic in this first volume. Ojiro uses plenty of soft lines and calming settings in this book's illustrations, conveying the elusive peace our protagonists continuously seek. VERDICT This story is a comforting read and incorporates a disorder that is becoming all too common amongst teens. Recommended for all libraries serving teens.-Sara Smith

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