Recommended for ages 11 and up
In a time when foreign media is more popular than ever, it can be tough to find stories that share positive life lessons while keeping readers hooked. Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya does just that. It follows Tohru Honda, a kindhearted teen who, after losing her mother, finds herself living with the mysterious Sohma family.
The Sohmas carry a secret - some members are cursed to transform into animals of the Chinese Zodiac when hugged by someone of the opposite gender. As Tohru gets to know them, she helps each one face their struggles and learns meaningful lessons about acceptance, kindness, and self-worth along the way.
Fruits Basket is full of heart. Beneath the magic is a touching story about love, loss, and finding kindness in others. Whether your child is new to manga, already loves graphic novels, or you’re just encouraging them to pick up a new read, Fruits Basket is a wonderful introduction to manga that they’ll treasure for years to come.
Natasha loves getting lost in books and movies. When she’s not reading or writing, you’ll probably find her sketching or binging on a new show. She’s all about romance, psychological horror, and drama. She has a soft spot for graphic novels, manga, and anything animated.
