Takashi Natsume has always been able to see the spirits and demons hiding from the rest of humanity, a gift that left him drifting between relatives and never quite fitting in. After moving to his grandmother's small hometown, he inherits her mysterious Book of Friends, a magical tome that binds the names of countless supernatural creatures to her will. Now those yokai are desperate to reclaim their names, and Natsume finds himself at the center of a world he can no longer ignore.

This illustrated paperback kicks off a beloved series rich in Japanese folklore, blending gentle humor with heartfelt encounters between a troubled high school student and the spirits that surround him. With a deal struck alongside a demon trapped in a Beckoning Cat sculpture, Natsume sets out to release the bound names one by one, forging unlikely friendships and discovering more about his grandmother's legacy along the way.

• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
• Publication Date: January 5, 2010
• Edition: Illustrated
• Language: English
• Print Length: 208 pages
• ISBN-10: 1421532433
• ISBN-13: 978-1421532431
• Item Weight: 2.31 lbs
• Reading Age: 14 - 17 years
• Dimensions: 5 x 0.6 x 7.5 inches
• Part of Series: Natsume’s Book of Friends
• Grade Level: 7 - 9
• Format: Paperback
• Genre: Supernatural, Comedy, Drama
• Author: Yuki Midorikawa
• Illustrator: Yuki Midorikawa
• Target Audience: Teen & Young Adult