American Born Chinese

Gene Luen Yang. 2006. New York: First Second.

Plot Summary: American Born Chinese is a graphic novel with three interrelated stories. The first story is about Jin Wang. When his family moves to a new neighborhood he finds that he is the only Chinese American in his new school. The second story line involves the Chinese fable about the monkey king. The monkey is disappointed because despite all his accomplishments, he is still a monkey and not a god. The third story involves Danny and his Chinese cousin Chin-kee. Chin-kee is portrayed as a negative Chinese stereotype and he embarrasses Danny so much when he visits that Danny feels he must change schools. These three stories come together in a surprising ending.

Critical evaluation: This is a book about cultural stereotypes and questions of identity to which all people can relate. At the beginning of the book all characters have trouble accepting who they are, but they find resolution and self-acceptance as the book ends. As Jesse Karp of Booklist states, The stories have a simple, engaging sweep to them, but their weighty subjects--shame, racism, and friendship--receive thoughtful, powerful examination (put Amazon’s address here).

Reader’s Annotation: This is a book that discusses serious issues of racial stereotypes and self-acceptance in a gentle and comical way.

About the Author: Gene Yang began drawing comics in fifth grade. He started publishing comic books in 1996 under the name Humble Comics. In 1997 he received the Xeric grant, a prestigious comic industry grant. His most recent is American Born Chinese which was nominated for a National Book Award and won the ALA Printz Award. He teaches computer science at a Catholic high school in Oakland California. He is studying for his Masters of Education from UC Hayward, with his final project on comics in education, and currently lives in Fremont, CA with his wife and children.

Genre: Graphic novel; contemporary life

Curriculum ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas: Discuss question of self-acceptance and racial stereotypes.

Reading level/Interest Age: Grades 7 and up.

Challenge issues: N/A

Why chosen: I chose American Born Chinese because it is an award-winning graphic novel, and is popular with teens.