Library Wars: Love & War, Vol. 1

by Kiiro Yumi

Overview

A New York Times best seller and librarian favorite that will appeal to shojo and non-shojo fans alike!

In the near future, the federal government creates a committee to rid society of books it deems unsuitable. The libraries vow to protect their collections, and with the help of local governments, form a military group to defend themselves—the Library Forces!

Iku Kasahara has dreamed of joining the Library Forces ever since one of its soldiers stepped in to protect her favorite book from being confiscated in a bookstore when she was younger. But now that she’s finally a recruit, she’s finding her dream job to be a bit of a nightmare. Especially since her hard-hearted drill instructor seems to have it in for her!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781421534886
Publisher:	VIZ Media LLC
Publication date:	06/01/2010
Series:	Library Wars: Love & War , #1
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	7.62(w) x 5.14(h) x 0.63(d)
Age Range:	16 Years

About the Author

Kiiro Yumi won the 42nd LaLa Manga Grand Prix Fresh Debut award for her manga Billy Bocchan no Yuutsu (Little Billy’s Depression). Her latest series is Toshokan Senso Love&War (Library Wars: Love & War), which ran in LaLa magazine in Japan and is published in English by VIZ Media.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 11 Up—In the near future, Japan can legally restrict or censor any offensive media. Only libraries can acquire and circulate materials, censored or not. The Library Defense Force (LDF) was formed to protect libraries and their collections. While in high school, Iku Kasahara witnessed an LDF agent stop a government raid on a bookstore. She vowed to join the organization and be like her hero. Fresh out of college, new recruit Iku struggles through LDF training, which is like military boot camp. Based on the light novels by Hiro Arikawa, this adaptation to manga is well crafted. The artwork features natural, realistic character design and movement. Characters' faces are distinctive and expressive. Scenes are nicely detailed; layouts are not overcrowded. The action is fluid and easy to follow. The writing is very good, with engrossing story lines and nuanced characters. However, a problematic area is the treatment of women. Tall and athletic, Iku is the first woman to apply for a combat Defense Force position and not the traditional Librarian post. At one point, her superior slaps her across the face. In other instances, Iku is comforted by encouraging pats on the head from that same officer. Library Wars delivers an appealing, determined female lead in the midst of an intriguing war on censorship being waged in bookstores and libraries. Readers will be curious to see if future story lines focus on Iku's adventures as an LDF agent or on her quest to find her mystery hero.—June Shimonishi, Torrance Public Library, CA

School Library Journal