Roaming

"Gloriously rendered… An ode to traveling as friends when you’re both young and carefree and every new experience is exciting and wondrous.”―Robert Ito, The New York Times Book Review

Spring Break, 2009: Five days, three friends, and one big city.

Roaming marks a triumphant return to the graphic novel and a deft foray into new adult fiction for Caldecott Medal authors Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki.

Over the course of a much-anticipated trip to New York, an unexpected fling blossoms between casual acquaintances and throws a long-term friendship off-balance. Emotional tensions vibrate wildly against the resplendently illustrated backdrop of the city, capturing a spontaneous queer romance in all of its fledgling glory. Slick attention to the details of a bustling, intimidating metropolis are softened with a palette of muted pastels, as though seen through the eyes of first-time travelers. The awe, wonder, and occasional stumble along the way come to life with stunning accuracy.

Roaming is the third collaboration from the critically acclaimed team behind Skim and Governor General’s Literary Award winner This One Summer. Moody, atmospheric, and teeming with life, the magic of this comics duo leaks through the pages with lush and exquisite pen work. The Tamakis’ singular, elegant vision of an urban paradise slowly revealing its imperfections to the tune of its visitors’ rhythms is a masterpiece—a future classic for generations to come.

Jillian Tamaki (Author)
Jillian Tamaki is a cartoonist, illustrator, and educator raised in Calgary, Alberta. She is the author of the Eisner Award-winning graphic novels SuperMutant Magic Academy and Boundless, and the author-illustrator of two picture books, including most recently Our Little Kitchen. With her cousin Mariko Tamaki, she is the co-creator of the young adult graphic novels SKIM and This One Summer, which won a Governor General’s Award and Caldecott Honor. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Mariko Tamaki (Author)
Mariko Tamaki is a Canadian writer living in California. She is the co-creator of the graphic novels Skim and This One Summer with Jillian Tamaki, and Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me with Rosemary Valero-O’Connell. She writes superhero comics for DC Comics, Darkhorse and Marvel. Mariko was the recipient of the Eisner for Best Writer in 2020. Collectively, her works have received Printz Honors, Eisner, Ignatz, Ringo and Prism awards. She is the curator of the Abrams LGBTQ imprint, Surely Books.

ISBN: 9781770464339
Format: Paperback
Pages: 444
Publisher: Drawn & Quarterly Publications
Published: September 12, 2023

“Roaming is gloriously rendered… A love letter to New York, but also an ode to traveling as friends when you’re both young and carefree and every new experience is exciting and wondrous.” —Robert Ito, The New York Times Book Review

“Cousins Jillian and Mariko Tamaki revel in the time-distorting magic of true young adulthood, when a week can feel like a year, and a day can change your life.” —Michael Cavna and Jacob Brogan, The Washington Post

“A big book full of small, meaningful moments.” —Michelle Hart, Electric Literature

“Roaming is about two Canadian kids on spring break to New York… It turns out to be surprisingly emotional even though it’s a very simple story. I’ll admit: I shed a tear.” —Alicia Desantis, New York Times Staff Picks

“[Roaming] acknowledges the necessary messiness of young adulthood without judgment.” —The Globe & Mail