Skim – review
This is, by far, one of my favorite books of the past year. I would go so far as saying it was my favorite book but that would mean I would have to give up on the guilty pleasure Picnic and I’m not willing to do that just yet. Kimberly Cameron, a.k.a. Skim, attends an all girl-school in Toronto. She’s an outsider, wrapped in her shell but with the guts to wear black nail polish and a scowl. Most of her life experience comes from hanging out with her best friend. She’s a typical teenager, full of angst and anger. Then, finally, some excitement hits the school when the popular girl’s boyfriend commits suicide. As the girls analyze the hows and whys, Skim enters into a relationship with her English teacher, Ms. Archer.
It would just be another overdramatic Lolita story if it weren’t handled so sensitively, not just in the dialogue but the artwork. The plump Skim is pulled along by the ever present wind. It tugs at her jacket, her hair, forcing her to move along even when she wants to stay in one moment.
If you want to know more, check out this interview with writer Mariko Tamaki.
Skim Controversy
In an open letter to the Governor General’s Literary Awards, Chester Brown and Seth have made an appeal to include artist Jillian Tamaki alongside her cousin, author Mariko Tamaki in the nomination. The award is for Children’s Literature – Text. The letter and the responses have set off an internet firestorm.
One good thing is that Skim, an amazing coming of age story, is getting lots of attention. This is probably one of the best books of 2008. I agree that the book would be nothing without the illustrations, the constant wind, the dark lines.
However, part of me wonders why people care so much about this award. The category clearly says “Text”. I’m sure there are guidelines that the awards committee stuck to. This uproar may create a new category for graphic novels but until then, why not let them do their award the way they want to?
And why this award? Out of all the others out there. A colleague of mine pointed out that the Eisner’s routinely nominate a writer but not the artist and vice-versa. You may not agree with the judge’s decision but the categories are what they are and the choices are made.
The council responded with the typical, “We’ll take that into consideration”.
