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Bounce Back #3
Bounce Back 3: Sew Totally Nala
Nala loves fashion – especially kawaii fashion, inspired by Japanese streetwear. And Nala is about to have the best summer ever, as she attends a special fashion camp in the city.
Fashion camp is challenging, and there are other kids attending who are really talented. Nala wants to stay true to her designs, but wonders if they will measure up. As her self-doubt grows, she is visited by a squirrel named Timothy, who claims he can help her. But what does a squirrel know about fashion?
Timothy may prefer peanuts to kawaii outfits, but he knows for sure that Nala totally needs to build her confidence. Together, Nala and Timothy rise to a fun summer challenge that will remind readers how good it feels to believe in themselves.
Fashion camp is challenging, and there are other kids attending who are really talented. Nala wants to stay true to her designs, but wonders if they will measure up. As her self-doubt grows, she is visited by a squirrel named Timothy, who claims he can help her. But what does a squirrel know about fashion?
Timothy may prefer peanuts to kawaii outfits, but he knows for sure that Nala totally needs to build her confidence. Together, Nala and Timothy rise to a fun summer challenge that will remind readers how good it feels to believe in themselves.
- GenresGraphic Novels
256 pages, Hardcover
Published October 7, 2025
1 person is currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 22, 2025
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Nala is a HUGE fan of everything kawaii and Harajuku fashion, even buying fabric for an outfit from Tokyo. When she finds out that there is a summer fashion camp near her home in New York City, her mother manages to secure the last open spot for her. Julia, one of her friends’ sisters, is going to be working there, and famous designers will be instructors. When the camp starts, she meets Izzy, Luke, Riley, Kris, Rose, and Kat, who all have different favorite styles. The director, Clair, is the owner of a fashion boutique. While Nala is excited about the fashion show at the end of the program, she doesn’t feel confident in her skills at all, and worries that everyone else is so much better than she is. She does befriend the shy Rose, who is also obsessed with Harajuku style. She’s impressed with Riley’s 1970s style fashions and Kris’ streetwear, and intimidated by Kat’s elaborate, wedding gown style clothing. When Kat accuses her of copying from her, Nala’s insecurity grows, but luckily she is visited by a guardian spirit in the form of Timothy, a squirrel. Her friends Lilico and Emma also had these animals, so Nala hopes this will help. Timothy tries, but his designs aren’t great, and he is much more interested in snacking. Nala doesn’t want to ask for help, even when an upcycling project she attempts proves to be too challenging for her, and she even skips a day of camp. In the end, she manages to get some help, and is okay with the fact that she only has two designs in the fashion show instead of the three that others do, because she knows that she has learned a lot.
Strengths: It’s probably a good thing that Harajuku fashion was not known in the midwest in the 70s, because it is highly likely that I would have attempted to make my own jumper with a cat face on it. While I haven’t seen many of my students embrace this style, I have had a couple. It’s always good to see tweens exploring their passions and learning new skills, so seeing a variety of different sewists at the camp was interesting. There’s plenty of drama, and Nala’s insecurities showcase the current zeitgeist when it comes to mental health. Misako’s illustrations are brightly colored and very kawaii; Timothy is especially cute.
Weaknesses: The number of times that “kawaii” and “Harajuku” are mentioned was excessive. The author also employs the over-the-top starry eyes as well as teary ones as Nala bounces between her extreme love of fashion and the depths of despair over her imagined lack of skills.
What I really think: This is a good graphic novel for readers who like books that focus on a variety of characters, like Libenson’s Invisible Emmy, or that explore different forms of anxiety, like Scrivan’s Nat Enough. Fashion books (like Taylor’s great Sew Zoe) tend not to circulate in my library, so I may pass on purchase.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
Nala is a HUGE fan of everything kawaii and Harajuku fashion, even buying fabric for an outfit from Tokyo. When she finds out that there is a summer fashion camp near her home in New York City, her mother manages to secure the last open spot for her. Julia, one of her friends’ sisters, is going to be working there, and famous designers will be instructors. When the camp starts, she meets Izzy, Luke, Riley, Kris, Rose, and Kat, who all have different favorite styles. The director, Clair, is the owner of a fashion boutique. While Nala is excited about the fashion show at the end of the program, she doesn’t feel confident in her skills at all, and worries that everyone else is so much better than she is. She does befriend the shy Rose, who is also obsessed with Harajuku style. She’s impressed with Riley’s 1970s style fashions and Kris’ streetwear, and intimidated by Kat’s elaborate, wedding gown style clothing. When Kat accuses her of copying from her, Nala’s insecurity grows, but luckily she is visited by a guardian spirit in the form of Timothy, a squirrel. Her friends Lilico and Emma also had these animals, so Nala hopes this will help. Timothy tries, but his designs aren’t great, and he is much more interested in snacking. Nala doesn’t want to ask for help, even when an upcycling project she attempts proves to be too challenging for her, and she even skips a day of camp. In the end, she manages to get some help, and is okay with the fact that she only has two designs in the fashion show instead of the three that others do, because she knows that she has learned a lot.
Strengths: It’s probably a good thing that Harajuku fashion was not known in the midwest in the 70s, because it is highly likely that I would have attempted to make my own jumper with a cat face on it. While I haven’t seen many of my students embrace this style, I have had a couple. It’s always good to see tweens exploring their passions and learning new skills, so seeing a variety of different sewists at the camp was interesting. There’s plenty of drama, and Nala’s insecurities showcase the current zeitgeist when it comes to mental health. Misako’s illustrations are brightly colored and very kawaii; Timothy is especially cute.
Weaknesses: The number of times that “kawaii” and “Harajuku” are mentioned was excessive. The author also employs the over-the-top starry eyes as well as teary ones as Nala bounces between her extreme love of fashion and the depths of despair over her imagined lack of skills.
What I really think: This is a good graphic novel for readers who like books that focus on a variety of characters, like Libenson’s Invisible Emmy, or that explore different forms of anxiety, like Scrivan’s Nat Enough. Fashion books (like Taylor’s great Sew Zoe) tend not to circulate in my library, so I may pass on purchase.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
June 1, 2025
Thank you @NetGalley and @MacmillanChildren'sPublishingGroup for the ARC. This is the third book in the Bounce Back series and have enjoyed reading them all. Nala is into Kawaii fashion, think anime characters, and she is able to go to a summer course for fashion design. She is excited but also filled with anxiety about if she should be there, is she good enough. Lucky she has great friends and a squirrel named Timothy. A must for school libraries.
October 3, 2025
It’s a dream come true that Nala has the opportunity to attend summer Fashion Camp in NYC through a connection from one of her friends and snatches up the last remaining spot. Nala is obsessed with kawaii Harajuku fashion, even having created her own designs. She is so excited when she meets another student at camp who also loves Harajuku and they quickly form a bond. Nala realizes that the other students at camp are all quite talented with their first project when they post their progress on social media. Now Nala has doubts that a Harajuku dress is not as exciting and elegant as she originally thought. Maybe she should think outside the box and change up her design. Her lack of confidence causes her not to enjoy fashion camp after all but she starts to receive advice from her guardian spirit. Her guardian spirit is not a dog, cat or eagle -- but a park SQUIRREL named Timothy who’s safely tucked in her backpack. Will Timothy help Nala rebuild her confidence to get her through her designs and the final fashion show?
Although I appreciate a youngster’s passion for something, Nala’s obsession with kawaii Harajuku fashion was rather over the top and way too cutesy. Having read the previous 2 books in this series, I really do adore the author’s manga illustration style even though I am not a huge manga lover. The colors are very bright and lovely. I wasn’t as fond of this story as I was of the previous entries but I’m a basketball follower, not a fashion follower. I probably would have loved the theme otherwise. This graphic novel will definitely appeal to the intended fashion-conscious tween audience.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.
Although I appreciate a youngster’s passion for something, Nala’s obsession with kawaii Harajuku fashion was rather over the top and way too cutesy. Having read the previous 2 books in this series, I really do adore the author’s manga illustration style even though I am not a huge manga lover. The colors are very bright and lovely. I wasn’t as fond of this story as I was of the previous entries but I’m a basketball follower, not a fashion follower. I probably would have loved the theme otherwise. This graphic novel will definitely appeal to the intended fashion-conscious tween audience.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.
March 29, 2025
E-arc provided via NetGalley for an honest review.
Read the first book in the Bounce Back series awhile ago and was pleased to see the 3rd installment. Nala is obsessed with Harajuku and kawaii fashion and joins a summer camp with like minded kids. She also finds her own spirit guide in a squirrel.
Main critique was the over over use of “Harajuku” and “kawaii” in the first third of the book as N.A. explained her fashion and design style to the audience, other campers, to the world. But good messages included throughout the book. Cute fun read!
Read the first book in the Bounce Back series awhile ago and was pleased to see the 3rd installment. Nala is obsessed with Harajuku and kawaii fashion and joins a summer camp with like minded kids. She also finds her own spirit guide in a squirrel.
Main critique was the over over use of “Harajuku” and “kawaii” in the first third of the book as N.A. explained her fashion and design style to the audience, other campers, to the world. But good messages included throughout the book. Cute fun read!
November 25, 2025
3.5 stars
Bk 3
Nala goes to a summer fashion camp. While there she struggles with self-esteem when she meets other talented students. She also makes a new friend and has some conflict issues with a girl who has an attitude.
Lots of relatable and engaging content. Illustrations are colorful, anime-style. Characters are distinct and diverse. Nala's guardian plotline in this is a little weaker than in the other two.
While this is book 3 in a series, it can also stand alone - although it helps to read the other ones to know a little more about the guardian spirits.
Bk 3
Nala goes to a summer fashion camp. While there she struggles with self-esteem when she meets other talented students. She also makes a new friend and has some conflict issues with a girl who has an attitude.
Lots of relatable and engaging content. Illustrations are colorful, anime-style. Characters are distinct and diverse. Nala's guardian plotline in this is a little weaker than in the other two.
While this is book 3 in a series, it can also stand alone - although it helps to read the other ones to know a little more about the guardian spirits.
May 8, 2025
super good! a little confusing at times, but it had great flow and i enjoyed it a lot.
the outfits were cute and the plot was fun. i really liked the guardian animal, but would have liked more backstory into him. why is he picked on? how much? as he tried to be a guardian animal before? that kind of thing. but great overall
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for letting me read it in advance!
the outfits were cute and the plot was fun. i really liked the guardian animal, but would have liked more backstory into him. why is he picked on? how much? as he tried to be a guardian animal before? that kind of thing. but great overall
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for letting me read it in advance!
October 6, 2025
I really wanted to like this book but I had a hard time with how all of the characters talked. They didn't sound like real kids, and it was pretty stilted. The art was cute and I think that plenty of young readers who are interested in fashion would love this book, even if it didn't land in all ways. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
April 19, 2025
This is 'kawaii' novel with beautifully done illustrations and many mini - lessons. All in all, it was an enjoyable read.
September 24, 2025
Misako continues to prove that she does, in fact ROCK!
November 3, 2025
Such a cute series!
September 11, 2025
Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy of *Bounce Back 3: Sew Totally Nala* by Misako Rocks!💗
The Bounce Back series is one of my tween's favorites. She has read book one and two more times than I can count and is a huge fan of Misako's drawing tutorial books as well. She was beyond excited about this new book and read it in one sitting, then again because she enjoyed it so much.
This is her review: "I very much enjoyed *Sew Totally Nala* by Misako Rocks!. In this book Nala faces challenges with asking people for help when she is at a fashion camp. Her guardian spirit Timothy, the squirrel helps her overcome her doubts and fears. They make super kawaii fashion together.
The Bounce Back series is one of my tween's favorites. She has read book one and two more times than I can count and is a huge fan of Misako's drawing tutorial books as well. She was beyond excited about this new book and read it in one sitting, then again because she enjoyed it so much.
This is her review: "I very much enjoyed *Sew Totally Nala* by Misako Rocks!. In this book Nala faces challenges with asking people for help when she is at a fashion camp. Her guardian spirit Timothy, the squirrel helps her overcome her doubts and fears. They make super kawaii fashion together.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews