Tessa Miyata is a fun book, but I think a younger me (or younger audience in general) would like it better! This is because the writing and the plot felt very whimsical and naïve, with Tessa closely resembling Chihiro from Spirited Away in all her tenacity and naivete. Tessa herself isn’t necessarily a bad character, rather she’s very easy to root for due to her determination and compassion. She’s very developed and I love how her inner monologue sounded- it’s very reflective and complex! I also enjoyed the other two characters, Kit and Jin, and the reveal was very satisfying. I do think it could benefit being a duology as the pacing felt off, but overall, I think Tessa Miyata is definitely a whimsical and charming book perfect for younger readers!

Julie Abe does what she does best introducing readers to the world of Japanese Lore which keeps the readers like me captivated. For me this book is a great start to a brand new series which I know that I shall be continuing.

I admit I did find Tessa a tad bit annoying and it kind of did put me off but it is understandable when you look at what has happened to her in the past but I will say her growth through this book was something else and made me change my mind about her.

For me the standout character was Kit he was a bit naughty but always had Tessa and Jin's back so I hope he has a bigger role in the books to come.

For all the above reasons I give Tessa Miyata is No Hero 4 stars.

This is a delightful book about the power of history, friendship, and being a little different. Tessa Miyata is a girl that was destined for something – even when she didn’t realize it. She is feisty and hopeful, and just wants to have what every 12 year old girl wants – good friends and to not be too awkward when she’s around boys. She looks up to her older sisters and she wants to be a good sister, daughter, granddaughter, and friend. But, it’s so hard because there is something different about her – something that sets her apart in the eyes of the gods and in the eyes of the people she enounters. Tessa will have to learn to accept her inner strength in order to save Tokyo – and maybe the world – from the darkness trying to overcome it.

Tessa and Jin’s adventures are age-appropriate and engaging, but kept this adult thouroughly entertained as well. I happily recommended this book to several friends with younger kids.

4 stars!

Tessa Miyata is an awkward, anime loving middle schooler who feels like she keeps messing everything up. She’s lost her best friend, became a viral laughing stock at school, and feels like a burden to her older sisters and grandma. Now she and her sisters are going to spend the summer with their grandparents in Japan, and Tessa feels even more out of place - too American for Tokyo. But a strange encounter with some spirts and gods rockets her and her new friend (?) into the last magical realm in the land. The two of them must train under the guidance of a small kitsune spirit with a lost memory to defeat an evil that’s threatening to destroy Tokyo. Can Tessa finally be the one to protect her family?

This book lands happily in the realm of Percy Jackson’s blend of fantasy battles and humor, but is steeped in Japanese lore and tradition. I appreciated Tessa’s experience as the odd one out in middle school. I think anyone who has every felt out of place or dreams of become a magical hero will have a lot of fun with this read. A perfect read for anyone who loves a little group of underdogs and magical worlds just beyond our own. It’s fast paced, full of heart, and just plain fun!

4.5 stars

Middle Grade is not a genre that I usually read. I have made attempted to get into the genre and have read some delightful books in the past few years, but I never fully got into it. After reading Tessa Miyata is No Hero, there's nothing I want more than to read more of this genre. Tessa Miyata feels like an immersive tale; it gave me Studio Ghibli vibes and I felt like I was watching a movie play in mind.

Julie Abe crafts a delightful tale, full of adventure and intrigue. Her writing style, as I said above, feels immersive and really pulls you into the world you are reading about. It feels like you are right there with Tessa and Jin as they try to stop Taira Masakado from destroying Japan. This book is of the perfect length and never once did I feel things were moving too slow; honestly, it moved at such a perfect pace and kept you on your toes at all times with how intense things were getting.

I connected to Tessa almost immediately. Her struggles to fit in, comparing herself with her family and remembering lost friendships felt so relatable and I so wanted to give her a hug at many points in the book. But to see her determination to save everyone and work so hard felt incredible to witness as a reader. Abe does a wonderful job of showing us Tessa's growth and character development by throughout the entirety of the story.

Abe has also filled this book with an eclectic cast of characters; from gods to mythical foxes and more. And of course, I cannot forget about Jin Uehara. Jin starts off as a grumpy kid who doesn't want to show Tessa around and wants to do this own thing; but he grows into an important ally for Tessa and then a good friend. I don't know if there is going to be a sequel for this book, but if there is, I wouldn't mind reading about Tessa and Jin going on more adventures.

Tessa Miyata is No Hero is a delightful middle-grade fantasy that takes you on a wonderous adventure, inspired by Japanese mythology and legends. It's a tale of friendship and hope and it is a book that I think will be well-loved everyone, no matter how old you are.

4.5 stars rounded to 4

Percy Jackson meets Zachary Ying in this action-packed fantasy about Japanese myths and belonging. Julie Abe has done it again—get ready for another book that will have you cheering through the characters' journeys. There is a very wonderful thing about all of Julie Abe's books. Her stories are so uniquely crafted that it seems like the pages are brimming with magic. And Tessa Miyata Is No Hero was no exception.

Thirteen-year-old Tessa Miyata is in Japan with her sisters and grandparents to spend her summer. And she's pretty excited about it. Think of all the things she could experience—from the capital city's Marvel's to the countryside's nature. But all her plans take a turn when she accidentally unleashes an ancient spirit that was stored in her family's heirloom…

Think of all the things that could go wrong. But also about the things that would be for the better. From stoic but friendly Jin Uehara to the mysterious fox spirit Kit, she makes new friends along the way to fight the dangerous spirit that's wreaking havoc in modern day Tokyo. Now it's up to Tessa and her friends to save the day. But it is easier said than done, is it not?

If you know me, you know I love middle grade fantasies. They're charming, and humorously dark at the same time. I loved the crew. And the way the plot unravelled in steps. The lore about Japanese mythology was so interesting and I daresay, I was practically inhaling the book and refused to stop till I finished. Tessa Miyata Is No Hero was insanely fast-paced and had just the perfect amounts of humour, sarcasm, wit and charm to have reading by your bed lamp throughout the night.

The ending was quite the finishing touch to this beautiful novel. Tessa learns to understand herself and her place where she will be loved. She finds her home and hearth. And Jin? He was the best supporting character ever alongside Kit. The trio was so fun to read through. I know that I am probably rambling but that is how this book made me feel—so joyous and so full. And no spoilers but that epilogue was truly something and I can't wait for Book 2!

On an ending note, you will love this if you loved books like Percy Jackson, Aru Shah and Zachary Ying. I've read and loved all those and here I am. Fantasy novels with protagonists that aren't plain old boring white will have a special place reserved in my heart. I hope you liked my review and hope you enjoy the book too.

Thanks to Netgalley and Publisher for the advanced copy.

Abe pulls from history and mythology to provide a contemporary middle-grade fantasy that is full of heart and courage. Although I adore middle-grade reads, many are often fast-paced and plot-driven, jumping quickly from one point to the next. I found Tessa Miyata is No Hero to be well-paced and sufficiently establishes the background of the characters and provides character development while mixing in magic and history.

Pick up Tessa Miyata is No Hero if you’re a fan of middle-grade fantasy reads that incorporate East Asian history and mythology. Most of all be ready to cheer for the underdog. I am ready for the next book! (3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars)

Tessa has been seeing a creepy woman with a wolf mask and an actual white wolf with the woman for some time, but no one else can see or hear this woman. And because of this woman, she’s been dubbed as a weirdo ever since she was seen and recorded talking to a dumpster because no one could see who she was actually talking to. Well, one day at an art museum, she sees the woman again and tries to hide in a gift shop where a boy who happens to be the cousin of her ex-best friend who had uploaded the video that ruined her life tries to upload a new video of her and so Tessa asks the woman for help. In turn, the woman says you will owe me a favor and gives her the wolf mask, takes care of the phone using the wolf and then the wolf disappears into the mask that Tessa now owns. Now summer break has started and Tessa and her sisters go to Japan for the summer and stay with her grandparents where Tessa has the adventure of a lifetime involving saving Japan from a vengeful god.

Such a fun, and magical adventure! This reminded me a lot of Spirited Away with Tessa and Jin visiting the spirit world where gods and goddesses live and experiencing this spirit world. Spirited Away is my favorite film ever and it made me feel so warm and fuzzy reading this book!

Tessa is hilarious and it makes me sad that she’s bullied and kids don’t seem to like her and thinks she’s weird. She seems like she’d be a fun and quirky friend! Tessa is so tough and resilient. I was impressed by her multiple times. No matter how someone treated her or how she felt after being abandoned again or looked at like she’s not worthy, she gets back up and continues to be her Tessa-self and do better and be the better person since everyone needs to be saved from the vengeful god. I just don’t know how that girl is so kind after always feeling like she’s a bother, or odd, and others treat her that way, and yet she’s always the bigger and better person.

Jin is that more stoic friend who seems to be more reasonable and thinks before he reacts unlike Tessa who seems to allow her temper to get the better of her sometimes 😅 Jin is the mediator! He had some growing to do in this book! He’s very similar to Tessa, at least how he feels about himself and how others look at him especially his father. I think Tessa taught him a lot when it comes to being a true friend and sticking to your friend no matter what. A quote from Jin I loved: “I’m not leaving her behind. I’ve been left behind before, and I swore I’d never do that to someone I cared about again. I’m going to protect her with all that I’ve got”. Be still my heart!

Kit is an adorable little feisty kitsune who clearly is more we just don’t know what or maybe who yet! He was a great addition to this group, a comedic relief but also a sort of dad to the both of them, or mentor, that’s better, a mentor for the two of them!

I loved the world and adventure that happens in this book, and I love how much Tessa and Jin grow in this book and I love the way it ended with Tessa feeling more like she’s worth something and that she’s loved no matter what and that she has family who loves her despite how others may feel about her, and that she’ll find those friends one day who get her.

The book is also beautiful with a beautiful cover and illustrations inside! Julie knows how to write magical adventures! I received a free gifted copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“She, Tessa Miyata, was not a hero. But she wasn’t going to stop trying to save her family either, no matter what obstacles got thrown in her way.”

Middle grader Veronica would’ve loved this book.

As it is, adult Veronica had a pretty good time reading Tessa Miyata is No Hero, but fantasy-loving middle grade Veronica, who at the height of her anime (and CCS) obsession would’ve absolutely loved this book. Like sneak-under-the-covers, scour-the-internet-for-fanfiction, daydream-about-being-a-part-of-the-story-daily loved this book.

Tessa Miyata is No Hero is what you’d get if you a Disney movie and an anime decided to combine their powers and become a middle grade book.

Julie Abe’s latest middle grade fantasy is filled with adventure, fun, and of course, magic. When Tessa Miyata is sent to spend the summer under the watchful eye of her grandparent’s in Japan, her boring vacation is suddenly with the wrong kind excitement. Thrust into the spirit realm and the world of gods and nine-tailed foxes, she and the grumpy boy-across-the-street must team up to save Tokyo–and more importantly, their families–from a vengeful samurai spirit bent on destroying them all. The only problem? Tessa Miyata is no hero.

“I told my dad I was going to bring you back. Obviously, talking foxes, revenge-bent samurais, and rock creatures were not what he or I were expecting, but I am going to live up to my word.”

I loved Tessa and Jin’s dynamic. Maybe it’s the residual effects of my childhood crush on Syaoran Li, but Tessa and Jin remind me so much of one of my earliest OTPs and I (friend-)ship them so much. Jin is the sullen martial artist tasked with showing Tessa around Tokyo. Ridiculously skilled and disciplined to a fault, he’s the complete opposite of Tessa who’s only talents seems to be causing trouble for her family and following her heart. After a rocky first meeting, their begrudging reluctance leads to a tentative friendship, and it’s just so cute and wholesome and precious 🥺

“Even though I’m nothing much, I can be a hero.”

Tessa is the kind of underdog protagonist I think many readers can root for and relate to. Because of the magical visions that have plagued her for most of her life, Tessa has always felt like a bit of an outsider even before the bullies made her feel like she didn’t belong. The story grapples with ideas of loneliness, self-worth, and identity, which is honestly pretty impressive for a middle grade book. As a persnickety adult reader, I obviously wish these themes had been teased out and explored with more nuance, but as someone who grew up with zero stories about diaspora kids, Tessa Miyata’s musings on what it means to be Japanese as an American is pretty cool to see in kidlit.

I was totally going to recommend Tessa Miyata is No Hero for Zachary Ying fans before I realized it’s already in the comp. Though the latter includes more history, Julie Abe transports you to Japan and introduces readers to Japanese culture in a really fun and whimsical way. I might make a Percy Jackson comp here if I’d actually read the series, but Tessa Miyata is No Hero is definitely reminiscent of Hercules with glimpses of Mulan and a ton of anime vibes. It’s a lighthearted celebration of centuries of Japanese culture.

Now for some minor complaints about a kidlit book by a grown(-ish) up who is definitely not the target audience because, why not? One. The pacing is off. The sudden shift from the prologue and Part One is a bit jarring. I wish there had been a smoother transition and that Tessa’s visions of the woman in white, the wolf, and the wooden mask were woven into the story more. Two. While I get the reason behind the “one day in the spirit world is one minute in the real world” rule, I feel like it makes the timeline kinda wonky. On the other hand, I’ve seen a lot weird stuff in anime and this is a book for middle graders, so… 🤷🏻‍♀️ Three. For the most minor of complaints, I do find the fact that the cute, albeit sassy, animal companion turned out to be [REDACTED] kind weird, but again, super minor complaint.

I’d definitely recommend Tessa Miyata is No Hero to young readers looking for a magical Asian-inspired adventure or for older readers looking for a fun, lighthearted book to feed their inner child. I, personally, am excited to see where Julie Abe is taking the series next and would just like to say that “Yikes and Yakult” is my new favorite catch phrase and I will be using it extensively.

I received an e-galley of Tessa Miyata is No Hero by Julie Abe from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Japanese culture, magic, adventure, new and unlikely friendships, and fantastic mythical creatures as companions - I feel like it’s to safe to say that those are the wonderful ingredients that one can expect when diving into a Julie Abe read. It surely has become what I expect now after having read all of Julie’s work to this date.

A quick summary of what to expect:
- Tessa is a 12 year old girl who is about to spend the summer in Japan with her older sisters and her grandparents
- She has a tendency to see things and people that no one else can see - something that causes trouble for her in her social life
- She accidentally releases an evil samurai, Taira Masakado, who seems hellbent on destroying Tokyo
- With the help of her grandparents’ neighbour, Jin, and a nine-tailed fox, Kit, Tessa needs to travel to the hidden city of the gods to find a way to get stronger to defeat Taira before he destroys Tokyo and everyone in the city, including Tessa’s sisters

And so begins the adventure that our unlikely hero, Tessa, goes on. She’s not trained in martial arts like Jin is, or fully accustomed to the magical world in which Kit is from. But Tessa finds herself determined to play a part in saving Tokyo. Partly because Taira Masakado would never have been released if not for her, but also because her sisters are in danger and she will do whatever it takes to protect them. I think that’s the quality that helped endear me to Tessa - the fact that despite all odds, she perseveres and tries to gain the strength to protect those she loves. Julie Abe’s stories and worlds tend to be compared to those of Ghibli and I can definitely see the comparison. While Eva Evergreen gave Kiki vibes, Tessa reminds me a lot of Chihiro from Spirited Away - both unlikely heroes who have nothing to rely on but their own inner voice to guide them, with the help of some new friends made along the way. I love a good middle grade fantasy novel in which our MC is not perfect, but endearing and you cannot help but want to root for them as they grow and develop throughout the story. I’m looking forward to reading more of Tessa’s adventures.

Thank you to the publisher for the arc!

I absolutely adore anything Julie Abe writes. They’re all such cozy magical reads and Tessa Miyata was no different!

It reminds me of a Ghibli movie like Spirited Away, and I enjoy it! All of the characters are endearing, particularly the white fox, who is sweet, hilarious, and goofy whenever he speaks to Tessa.⠀
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The fast-paced action keeps me reading and wondering if Tessa can save Tokyo and her family. The presence of Jin working with Tessa adds to the thrill of this book.⠀
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This is my first time reading a book by Julie Abe, but it won't be my last!

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
3.5/5 STARS

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Synopsis:
Tessa goes to Japan to spend the summer with her grandparents and sisters. When she breaks a family heirloom and releases a god, she must try and stop it from destroying Tokyo.

This is book one in a MG fantasy series. It is set in Tokyo and filled with Japanese mythology and culture. I love learning new things and this book has a lot of Japanese words and a few graphics. It is fast paced and there is a lot of action along with a quest feel. It took me a little while to get into it because I thought I had missed a previous book as things were not explained and assumed to be known. Once I got the gist of things and it picked up, I did enjoy it and would read the next book in the series.

Thank you Little Brown Books for Young Readers for the gifted copy! 🏯

Julie Abe is one of my favorite MG authors (and she has the best covers in the industry). I've been on her last three book tours and I'm STOKED to be on this one. TESSA is a fast-paced read chock full of Japanese lore and myths that reminded me so much of Spirited Away (fav movie EVER) As an adult reading kidlit, I can say this one held up. The glossary at the beginning helped me understand some words; I've always been fascinated with Japan, so learning new things about their culture and mythology was a plus. Tessa is a hero for kids and adults alike. Middle-grade readers are going to eat this one up! Congrats, Julie, for another amazing book to add to my shelf beside your other beauties.

This was a fun read with lots of heart! Tessa is a relatable character that a lot of middle graders will see themselves in, and Jin's journey to standing up to his father was equally compelling. Tessa's struggles of not being Japanese or American enough is widely relatable to kids all across America. Plus mythology-based fantasy is flying off the shelves right now and this is a great rec to fans of Aru Shah and especially the newer Momo Arashima.
There were a few uneven moments story-wise, most notably their fight against Lord Taira in the shrine where the action seemed to stop and start as convenient for the plot, especially in the moments where Tessa talks to her sisters or when she plans with Jin and Kit.
However, this is a fun story that kids will find a lot to love inside! I will definitely be recommending it to 5th and 6th graders looking for a heroine to love.

The story started out interestingly enough, but honestly I found the banter between the main characters stilted, and often the “funny” parts just fell flat for me. I think if this had stayed in the mortal world with the character growth there, I would have liked it more, but the dojo just didn’t catch my attention and was a drag to read through. Also, I wasn’t a huge fan of the fox.

This story is very action packed, and the characters are well balanced, so this book is just probably not for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

This book is action packed, and the banter is witty. I loved the relationship between all the characters, and how they could bounce off of each other. It's a heartwarming adventure, and a good introduction for kids to Japanese mythos and words.

This book was a solid 4.5 for me up until the end, and what tipped it over, was the clear messaging of immigrant kids being stuck between two worlds. Julie Abe did a great job with building up the world, where we see Tessa growing up in the bay area of California, but clearly having ties to her home. Being told you don't belong both to where you grew up, and where you're from, and that being reinforced by those around you is scary and confusing as a kid! That representation hit home.

I found myself rooting for Tessa, and that even if Tessa didn't believe herself to be a hero, she still grew in to her role as one. Seeing her grow from her role as the kid othered by things outside of her control, to gaining friends she could trust, and know she was loved by her friends and family.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This was an action packed read!
Tessa at first isn’t sure what’s happening when she and Jin land in the mythical City of Legends. She also realizes that she has a kitsune or a 9 tailed fox that is attached to her charm bracelet than only she can see. Tessa never gives up even when she feels like she can’t go on and everyone has abandoned her.
I like that the glossary is in the front instead of having to flip to the back.

I love this book. I've been a fan of Julie Abe's books since her Eva Evergreen debut. This time we go to Japan and the story focuses on the youngest sister of three who lost their parents a while back to a car accident and are being raised but their grandmother in California to avoid being sent into the system of foster homes. Tessa always wanted to visit her Japanese grandparents and the opportunity presents itself.

While her sisters enjoy Tokyo, cursed Tessa who seems invisible things stays with her grandparents and starts an amazing adventure to save Tokyo and her family from being hurt by Lord Taira. To do that she must face three trials.

This book is filled with Japanese pop culture goodness, perfect for anime fans, but even if you aren't you'll fall in love with the folklore and mythology filled with spirits, gods, magic, yokai, and kitsunes (nine-tail mythical foxes). The book has a glossary at the front to help with some Japanese terms too.

It's a race against time to train, still, Tessa's actions are honorable and kind. Also, Tessa is helping the kitsune recover memories.
A story of growing, making new friends, recognizing good friends, and fighting for others as well.

The author says something that speaks very true to my heart, I'll use my own words: it's about how a book that makes us feel good and joyful also gives us the will to live. I love this and I relate to it when it comes to middle-grade novels. This book brought me a lot of joy.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC. My opinions are voluntary and honest.

This book is so cute! Tessa Miyata is No Hero is the kind of book that I wish I had in middle school. Tessa is a Japanese-American girl who has the unique ability to see spirits. She ends up in Tokyo for the summer with her sisters to stay with her grandparents, and thanks to her special abilities, she ends up in an adventure in the Japanese spirit world. As an Asian American who often felt isolated from my cultural background growing up, I would have loved to read a story about an Asian American girl like Tessa who, despite her American-ness, is still able to be welcomed into her Japanese culture and heritage that she grew up away from. This is a sweet story and I'd recommend it to anyone who has experienced being caught between two worlds.