Instructions
Read the book review below about the manga The Monsters We Make. Then, complete the activities that follow to test your understanding and critical thinking skills.
Book Review: The Monsters We Make by Cory Kenshun
I just finished Cory Kenshun’s debut manga, The Monsters We Make, and I’m really impressed. For a first-time author, Kenshun has created a world that feels both magical and real.
The story follows a girl named Evelyn who moves to a quiet Japanese town to live with her grandmother. Evelyn has a secret: she can see yokai, the spirits and monsters of Japanese folklore. At first, the yokai are harmless, but she soon discovers that a strange, negative energy is corrupting them, turning them aggressive. The main theme of the story is about not judging others based on their appearance and having empathy for those who are different. It also explores the idea of fear and how we create our own "monsters."
To save the town and the yokai, Evelyn must team up with Kenji, a cynical and sarcastic kitsune (a fox spirit) who has lost faith in humans. Their dynamic is fantastic—Evelyn’s endless optimism clashes brilliantly with Kenji’s world-weary attitude.
The setting of a modern-day town filled with hidden spirits is a great backdrop. Kenshun’s art is a highlight; it’s a beautiful mix of traditional ink wash styles for the yokai and a clean, modern manga style for the human characters. While the pacing felt a little rushed towards the end, the emotional core of the story is strong.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely! If you like stories like Spirited Away or enjoy fantasy and adventure with a lot of heart, you should definitely read The Monsters We Make. It’s a fantastic first effort.
Part 1: Comprehension Check
Answer the following questions based on the information in the review. Use complete sentences.
- What is the special ability of the main character, Evelyn?
- What is happening to the yokai in the story?
- Who is Kenji and what kind of creature is he?
- According to the review, what is one of the main themes of the manga?
- The reviewer loved the manga, but what was their one small criticism?
Part 2: Word Wizards
Draw a line to match the vocabulary word from the review to its correct meaning.
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Part 3: Fact or Opinion?
Read the statements below, taken from the review. Decide if each one is a fact (something that can be proven true about the story's plot) or an opinion (what the reviewer thinks or feels).
- "The story follows a girl named Evelyn." _________________________
- "Their dynamic is fantastic." _________________________
- "Kenshun’s art is a highlight." _________________________
- "Evelyn has a secret: she can see yokai." _________________________
- "It’s a fantastic first effort." _________________________
Part 4: Your Recommendation
Based on the review you have read, would you want to read the manga The Monsters We Make? In the space below, write a short paragraph explaining why or why not. Make sure to use at least two specific details from the review to support your decision.
Answer Key
Part 1: Comprehension Check
(Answers may vary slightly but should contain the key information.)
- Evelyn's special ability is that she can see yokai (spirits and monsters).
- A strange, negative energy is corrupting the yokai, making them aggressive.
- Kenji is Evelyn's cynical and sarcastic teammate. He is a kitsune, which is a fox spirit.
- One of the main themes is not judging others by their appearance, having empathy, or how fear creates monsters.
- The reviewer's one small criticism was that the pacing felt a little rushed at the end.
Part 2: Word Wizards
- Debut → C. A person's first public appearance or performance.
- Yokai → E. Spirits, monsters, or demons from Japanese folklore.
- Corrupting → A. To cause something to change from good to bad.
- Cynical → D. Distrustful of others; believing people are only motivated by selfishness.
- Empathy → B. The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.
Part 3: Fact or Opinion?
- "The story follows a girl named Evelyn." Fact
- "Their dynamic is fantastic." Opinion
- "Kenshun’s art is a highlight." Opinion
- "Evelyn has a secret: she can see yokai." Fact
- "It’s a fantastic first effort." Opinion
Part 4: Your Recommendation
(Student answers will vary. Look for a clear "yes" or "no" supported by at least two details from the text. For example:)
Example "Yes" Answer: I would definitely read this manga because the review makes it sound very exciting. I like that the main character, Evelyn, is optimistic and teams up with a cynical fox spirit named Kenji. I also think the art sounds really cool, with a mix of two different styles for the humans and the yokai.
Example "No" Answer: I would not want to read this manga. The review says the pacing is rushed at the end, and I don't like it when stories feel rushed. Also, the theme of empathy is not as interesting to me as a pure action story, so I would probably choose to read something else.