This was just what my anime-loving heart needed, and has the same charm and whimsy of a Ghibli movie. Forget, middle-graders, I really enjoyed this one and Abe did a fantastic job of capturing the setting and not watering it down. Tessa was a great character, even when her reactions annoyed me - but felt fitting for her age. The only aspect that threw me off was the pacing, and it detracted a little from some of the more action-packed moments in particular. Still, I had a lot of fun with this one and its one I can definitely see myself revisiting.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free ebook and to the publisher for a print edition. This was a wonderful story to read to middle schoolers. I will always choose diverse and unique stories for this age group that also have adventure, fantasy, and/or cultural elements we can learn about thanks to the story.

Characters-10

If you’re looking for a story in the vein of Percy Jackson, or Rick Riordan presents, these characters are in that vein. I enjoyed Tessa as a character. She was bold, and she went after the things that she wanted. Jin and the companion they find are great characters as well. The supporting characters, like the gods, and Tessa’s family, are wonderful as well.

Atmosphere-10

As with Percy Jackson, the world-building in this story is fantastic, and I was very immersed in the world of this book. I have never been to Tokyo, but I loved exploring the city and finding locations in the city along with Tessa and Jin.

Writing-9

I had never read Julie Abe before reading this book, but I would love to read more from her. I loved the writing in this book, and books with gods and chosen ones, rely on the writing and storytelling, Tessa Miaya is No Hero is a fantastic example of the genre. Some scenes are action-packed, where Tessa and Jin are training, and some are heartwarming where Tessa and Jin are talking about their plan, and how they need to work together to achieve their goal.

Plot-9

I love stories like this one, and Tessa Miyata Is No Hero doesn’t disappoint. The story is fun, and I loved seeing how much fun Tessa and Jin were having. This was also a story of finding yourself, and I loved seeing Tessa and Jin’s journey throughout the story.

Intrigue-9

I was interested in this story. The characters, plot, and creative world-building kept me interested in this story. I wanted to see where the story was going to go, and I loved how the story came together.

Logic-9 This was a logical story that was easy for me to follow.

Enjoyment-9

This was an enjoyable story. I loved the characters, and the story was fun. I can’t wait for the next one.

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Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing an e-copy through NetGalley.
Rating: 4.5

Synopsis:
Tessa Miyata can see things. Things that are not supposed to be there. Like a bracelet with a fox charm on her wrist that no one else notices. Because of her weird hallucinations, her former best friend betrayed Tessa for social popularity, leaving her an outcast in school. Her older sisters, despite making efforts, don’t make her feel any better with their pitying looks and too-busy-for-Tessa lives. When she tries to fit in at a new summer camp, a lady in white robes and a giant wolf confront her, warning her of a great danger and nearly destroying the museum’s gift shop. To change scenes, Tessa’s grandmother sends her and her sisters to Japan so they can spend the rest of the summer with their other grandparents. The whole family, including Tessa, hopes that this will be a new start for her. But instead of exploring Tokyo and having fun like her sisters, Tessa is stuck at home with her not-as-fun grandparents and the neighbor’s kid, Jin, who doesn’t seem to like her already.

But fate has other plans. Tessa Miyata can see things, and they want her to listen. When an encounter in a Japanese alley goes wrong, Tessa and Jin accidentally break a family heirloom, and the violent samurai god Taira Masakado breaks loose. He threatens to engulf everything in magical fire, burning Tokyo to the ground. With the help of a mystical nine-tails fox named Kit, Tessa and Jin barely escape, falling into Takamagahara, the hidden city filled with mythical creatures and gods of Japanese legend. Tessa, Jin, and Kit now must work together to stop Taira from destroying Tokyo, dealing with grumpy gods, enduring lethal dojos, and learning to trust each other in the process. But can Tessa really save the world when no one, including herself, believes she can do anything right?

What I Liked: Tessa Miyata is No Hero is an encouraging story to all kids who feel like no one believes in them. This idea is made concrete in Tessa’s ability to see Japanese mythological creatures, and it’s a really clever way to portray themes of belonging, self-esteem, and self-worth, something youth seem to be struggling with more than ever today. Tessa is a fantastic protagonist with deep-rooted emotions and confidence issues, and she sorts through them maturely but also like a realistic 12-year-old, a hard combination to pull off. The side characters, Jin and Kit, are also complex and well-written side characters, each with their own strengths, flaws, and personal struggles that drive them forward. The world building of Japanese mythology is spectacular, showcasing different gods, locations, and beasts that you normally don’t find in similar Japanese-inspired novels, which is nice. The plot is adventurous, engaging, and emotional, pulling readers through Tessa's physical and internal obstacles as she battles both sides of her life. Overall, Tessa Miyata is No Hero is a wonderful mythology-adventure read that is sophisticated in its focus on real life themes, dilemmas, and advocacy for growing middle schoolers.

Personal bias: I love middle grade adventures based on mythology.

What I Didn’t Like: Nothing!

Who Would I Recommend This To: Kids who like mythology-adventure books (any Percy Jackson read-alikes), kids who like Japanese mythology especially, and kids who want something deeply/more emotionally mature than your average adventure-novel.

Review Date: October 16, 2023

Julie Abe’s Eva Evergreen series was an entertaining set of middle-grade fantasy reads, so it was very exciting to learn she was releasing another middle-grade book in the form of contemporary fantasy Tessa Miyata is No Hero. Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan, Yoon Ha Lee, Xiran Jay Zhao or Graci Kim, this book celebrates Japanese culture and stories at its heart.

From the perspective of being a fantasy book, the author introduces readers to many figures from traditional Japanese stories and folktales. For example, the villain of the story is a former samurai who was inadvertently freed from his prison due to Tessa’s actions. Many of the moments in the story also serve as love letters to Japanese culture and food. The author makes some of the less widely recognized elements easy to understand for readers of any age, and doesn’t try to oversimplify things to the point of dumbing it down (which I appreciate).

While I was entranced by the fantasy elements of this book, the author also captured my attention with how well she encapsulated the feeling of not belonging when you are middle school age. Tessa in particular is incredibly lonely, and lacks a sense of place both from a cultural and social standpoint. I related to this so much, especially when so many figures were telling her no matter what she would not be a hero to the point she almost believes it herself. As an underdog, she had a lot to work through but I was rooting for her the entire way.

Sura Siu did an excellent job bringing Tessa’s adventures to life with her performance in the audiobook narration. I was very surprised by the ending of the book, though there's no major cliffhanger to worry about. As this is supposed to be the first part in a new series, I’m curious to see what happens next for Tessa and her friends in the next installment. If you’re looking for a book that honors elements of Japanese culture and mythology, this would be a great choice.

Thank you to the author, the publisher Little Brown Young Readers, NetGalley, and TBR and Beyond Tours for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Tessa Miyata is No Hero immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.

Tessa Miyata is a book that I’d recommend to fans of Percy Jackson and Aru Shah. Middle grade fantasy readers will love Tessa Miyata and her journey as a reluctant hero. I loved Tessa’s enthusiasm for visiting Japan and then her reaction to what it was really like…very real and honest.

The dynamics between Tessa and Jin and Tessa and Tessa and the kitsune added so much depth to the story. I think young readers will especially love Tessa’s training sessions and the different reactions she has as they progress. This book will make a great addition to libraries serving middle grade readers!

Overall rating: 3.7 ⭐

This is a fun middle grade fantasy filled with Japanese gods and culture. There is a glossary and cute illustrations to introduce readers to much of the vocabulary. I think this would make for a cute and fun book for a young reader. The book is filled with adventure and action but it’s also about identity, feeling of belonging, dealing with bullying, importance of family and friends…

👍
+ Julie Abe is really good at creating delightful worlds and characters. This one is no different. A spirit world with quirky gods and spirits, and cool challenges along the way.
+ The book handles the aspect of having your culture and your country be different very well. Tessa is trying to figure out where she belongs. She feels like she has a big connection to both the US and Japan but she also doesn’t know if she truly belongs to either. She’s Japanese in America and American in Japan.
+ I loved the kitsune character! He was so cute, and I loved the mystery around his background.
+ There are some great lessons in here for young readers around resilience, tenacity, working hard to get better at something.
+ Plus I really enjoyed reading about Japanese culture, customs and Gods… I got to learn a lot of things I didn’t know about before.

👎
For some reason I was not able to get fully into this book. I couldn’t connect with it enough and had trouble with suspension of disbelief. Partially I couldn’t get over how fast the main character had to go from not knowing anything to being able to do many athletic feats. And partially a bunch of other smaller things that added up making it harder to fully get engaged.


Thank you so much to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the eARC!

Tessa has always felt like an outcast, with a bracelet that appeared in her wrist one day that no one else can see. She tries her best to fit in but feels cursed. When she and her older sisters are sent to stay with their grandparents in Japan, she feels connected with the city. After meeting the neighbor boy Jin, who is forced to spend time with her, they accidentally find a hidden city and take on a quest to save Tokyo.

I loved every minute of this book! I was so excited to sign up after reading Eva Evergreen by this author and I was not disappointed. Full of magic and gods, self discovery and friendship, this adventure story is downright epic. Tessa tries so hard to make her family proud and hates when they worry about her, but she always seems to find trouble. I love her spirit and fierceness and determination to never give up! I highly recommend this book to everyone!

𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮 𝗠𝗶𝘆𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗼 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼—This is a story about Tessa Miyata, a girl who never fit in. One day.. she went to Tokyo, she must take a journey to save Tokyo from a malicious god.
⠀
"𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒑 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆."—chapter 16
⠀
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆.
I'm so happy to read another Julie Abe's book. This story bewitching me from the first page.
⠀
5 reasons why you should read 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮 𝗠𝗶𝘆𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗼 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼:
1. It is from "anyone to someone" journey.
2. Adventurous story with entertaining characters.
3. The sacred and magical place inside Tokyo is an amazing place.
4. I like how the characters developed so much through every challenges and decisions.
5. The story has unpredictable ending and "epilog" makes you want to read next Tessa's adventure. 😁
⠀
If you're looking forward for fast-paced, friendship, and find yourself story, you can try to read 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮 𝗠𝗶𝘆𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗼 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼.

🦊 Julie Abe is back with another magical adventure, featuring a protagonist that may not have the makings of a hero, but ends up saving the day. Tessa Miyata felt like a burden her whole life, to her older sisters and her hardworking grandparents. So when the opportunity came to protect them, Tessa jumped in despite knowing her odds.

🦊 Tessa grew up in California, and has always been eager to learn more about her Japanese heritage. She loves anime and BTS, and I think if we were born in the same word, and the same timeline, we could've been best friends :D

🦊 She was pulled into a Magical City right in the middle of Tokyo and forced to team up with a boy from her grandparents’ neighborhood and fight a legendary samurai trying to wreck the whole city. She met Gods and spirits she never imagined were true, and in the end, learned more about herself and met unexpected friends.

verdict: I recommend this book if you want a new addition to your middle-grade fantasy collection. If you want to have a taste of Japan and get to know a protagonist who doesn’t have the makings of a hero but still stands her ground, then pick this up. You’ll have a fun time with Kit, I promise.

Calling all you adventure readers who love those books that incorporate mythology from different cultures. This one is set in Japan and like those others, kids – in this case, Tessa Miyata and her new friend Jin Uehara and a mythical nine-tailed fox – face off with a wicked samurai god in a magical part of Tokyo.

Tessa has never fit in at home or at school, but a summer trip to Japan with her sisters to visit their grandparents just might change that. Her hopes are quickly dashed when she realizes she's not old enough to go to Tokyo with her sisters and gets stuck at home with the neighbor kid Jin. Tessa and Jin soon find themselves swept up into the world of Japanese legend and mythology, and have to race to save Tokyo and the magical city before it's too late. I enjoyed this book, Tessa is a great character and a nice change of pace from the typical, Percy Jackson type main characters we usually get in these MG mythology fantasy books. She's unsure and struggles, she doesn't take to the supernatural and gods and such very quickly, and she's often described as the wrong one from the job and unheroic. Tessa ends up proving them all wrong, but it does make for a more interesting and realistic underdog story. I loved how integrated Japanese culture and myth was in the book, with the author also including bits of the language in the dialogue. This was a fun book, and I look forward to the next one.

This is a fun, lighthearted book that tackles some tough subjects. I enjoyed learning more about Japanese gods, history, foods and customs throughout this book. It was a great gateway glimpse to spark interest in other cultures for younger readers. Julie Abe explained the feeling of not wholly belonging to either culture that Tessa experiences (like the book says, too Japanese for the US & too American for Japan) perfectly. I hope that this story & others like it inspire young readers to be open and curious about other cultures rather than how Tessa’s friends acted.

As a mom (and even though my kid just started school) it’s hard to read about a situation like Tessa’s. Friendships are hard, Tessa’s growth and realizations at the end of the book are something I hope every kid that experiences something similar realizes sooner rather than later. I even got misty-eyed at the sacrifice towards the end of the book.

This is a series that I will keep an eye on – I’d love to see where it goes from the ending scene. It is a dream of mine to visit Japan and I enjoyed the glimpse that this book offered. I would like to thank TBR & Beyond Tours for the chance to be a part of this tour and for the copy of this book to experience – all opinions are my own.

Tessa struggles to make friends and is still hurting from a friend breakup. She feels sorta like an outcast at home since her older sisters are close in age with one another and are able to go off and do things she can’t. Her parents died when she was too young to remember, so she lives with her grandmother who is working hard to support the sisters. She just doesn’t always feel like she matters.

So when a turn of events not only sends her to live in Japan for the summer, but unleashes an evil god that only she and two new companions know or care to stop, she’s thrust into a whirlwind of mattering a lot. She has to overcome her own insecurities, as well as physical trials, in order to defeat the god that’s destroying Tokyo. No biggie!!

The action was exciting, the Japanese folklore was really interesting, the new friendships were sweet, but Tessa’s internal journey was totally what made this book for me. There’s a part where she realizes that she’s worthy of everything her loved ones have sacrificed for her to be alive in that moment and like.. it was so touching. She not only learns that she has a story of her own outside of what she means to other people, but also that she DOES mean a lot to them. It’s hard to be a preteen, especially one with a non-conventional family situation, and I think Tessa’s self-discovery sends a beautiful, and true, message

There’s also a really sweet full circle moment in which she feels embraced by Japan - as a Japanese American, she’s always felt too American to really lay claim to Japan.

There’s lots of magic, a kitsune, a daruma, gods, shadow warriors… but the most magical part of this book is Tessa and her self-worth journey

Kiddos in your life who love fantasy, chosen one stories, Japanese culture, or even just strong MCs will love this, and you might too! Personally I’m already excited for the sequel!!

i got this book for review and gave it 3.5 for review*
i think this book was a fun read and one that i think for middle grade readers is fast pace advnetue story steeped in mythology and also adventure. I loved the combo of the fantdsay elements and also the mordern elemenrs. I don't think i liked the characters as much as their previous books and did not feel that conncected to the story but it was quick read and i would def check out more books in this series!!

*deep breath in* *Deep sigh out* I hate to admit it friends but this book may just not be for me. I have been trying to read it for months now and I just can’t get past 20%. I have tried both reading it on my Kindle and listening to the audiobook and I am just not getting anywhere. Maybe later I’ll try picking up my physical copy and that will go better but that just isn’t an option right now so I think I’ll have to DNF it for now for the sake of my mental. There is just something about how everyone in her life treats Tessa that I just can’t stand and how Tessa responds. We are just not meshing together and I am not having a good time trying to force myself to read this. Which is such a shame, I love this author's works and I was really excited about this title as well. Oh well, sometimes a book just isn't for you.

A magical story about being yourself and fighting for what and who you love.

"Tessa Miyata Is No Hero" is a magical story by acclaimed author Julie Abe, and it is the debut novel in a new middle-grade fantasy series featuring young heroine Tessa Miyata. With its engaging main characters and fresh, fantastic plot drawing on exciting Japanese history and mythology, the story is guaranteed to capture the imagination of readers, young and old alike.

Tessa is a vibrant, realistic, and likable character, much loved by her older sisters, Peyton and Cecilia, and grandparents. Like many middle-grade students, she is weathering a difficult school year as her former best friend abandons her for a more popular crowd. But a summer in Japan with her grandparents there changes her entire life and outlook. As Tessa and Jin battle an evil out to destroy Tokyo, they also struggle to overcome some inner demons. I appreciated that Tessa's character is surrounded and supported by loving family members and that she sees and recognizes their love: not often the case in many middle-grade novels, which is nice for a change. She's a loving and sympathetic character with the same fears most children her age experience, and she works to overcome them in spectacular fashion.

The Japanese setting is vivid and dramatic, mixing ancient and modern, a mortal city and a City of Legends. Wisps of culture and language are sprinkled throughout, with a quick explanation when needed, and these help anchor the story in time and place; there's no mistaking the characters are anywhere but Japan. Early mentions of well-known areas and venues near Tokyo further establish the feeling of place.

From start to finish, the plot is non-stop action, with elements of fantasy appearing right away. Readers learn Tessa's emotional backstory along the way as the story continues to move ahead without any expositional downtime. And, once she and her sisters are in Japan, the pace quickens even more.

The chapters are short enough for younger readers who need more frequent breaks; however, they frequently stop in the middle of a scene. I felt compelled to read on, and I think others will, too. The story would make a good read-aloud choice, and the cliffhanger chapter endings may have listeners clamoring for "just a little bit more."

I recommend TESSA MIYATA IS NO HERO to middle-grade readers, especially those who enjoy fantasy adventures. While perfect for all genders, this may be a good selection for girls wanting a book featuring a young female action hero.

Absolutely loved this middle grade adventure novel from author Julie Abe!

Tessa is a girl struggling to fit in while dealing with mysterious visions no one else can see. The author captures the struggle of middle schoolers to make friends and deal with family matters. Love her two supportive sisters! The girls travel to Japan for the summer, and here the story really picks up, as we see the sights of this amazing country, and then see the mythical side of it as well!

The side characters where hilarious and memorable, and I'm excited for the next book in this series!!

Way to start this middle-grade fantasy series off on the right page! Tessa visits her grandmother in Japan and breaks a family heirloom only to release a god. Now she must stop it from destroying Tokyo.

Tessa is a girl after my own heart, just trying to fit in while throwing some attitude. Filled with Japanese mythology and culture, the book is very interesting. The Japanese words and graphics added a special touch to the immersive feeling. Never lacking action, it is fast paced and an easy read. I wish the world was set up a little better as it was confusing to get started but after a bit, I was all in. Would definitely recommend. Looking forward to book two.