We follow the daily life of 律（りつ）who has just started her fifth year of elementary school. She's a shy and reserved girl who is keenly aware of the social hierarchy and where she sits in it. If she can just find a friend group of like-minded quiet girls, she can get through the year without much fuss.
But then she meets another girl in class who pique's her curiosity, 瀬里奈（せりな）. 瀬里奈 is at the rock-bottom of the social food chain and is seemingly unaware of that and disinterested in getting along with anyone. How is she is like that? How can she be so naive? Why is she so odd?
This is a tale that should be relatable to many of us who weren't always "popular" at school. Through 律's eyes we deconstruct the social systems that suffocate us and, perhaps, learn to be free of them and accept ourselves for who we are.
For the most part, this book is pretty slow-paced so should be avoided if you're seeking action. And although the message of the story is an important one, it's nothing ground-breaking. So for that, I'm giving it 3 stars.
A quiet story with a louder message
We follow the daily life of 律（りつ）who has just started her fifth year of elementary school. She's a shy and reserved girl who is keenly aware of the social hierarchy and where she sits in it. If she can just find a friend group of like-minded quiet girls, she can get through the year without much fuss.
But then she meets another girl in class who pique's her curiosity, 瀬里奈（せりな）. 瀬里奈 is at the rock-bottom of the social food chain and is seemingly unaware of that and disinterested in getting along with anyone. How is she is like that? How can she be so naive? Why is she so odd?
This is a tale that should be relatable to many of us who weren't always "popular" at school. Through 律's eyes we deconstruct the social systems that suffocate us and, perhaps, learn to be free of them and accept ourselves for who we are.
For the most part, this book is pretty slow-paced so should be avoided if you're seeking action. And although the message of the story is an important one, it's nothing ground-breaking. So for that, I'm giving it 3 stars.
My rating definitions: