Yang, G. (2006). American Born Chinese. NY: First Second. ISBN: 978596431522.
Plot Summary: This graphic novel is a well-developed work that aptly explores issues of self-image, cultural identity, transformation, and self-acceptance. During the progression of three connected tales, the main characters are introduced: Jin Wang, a teen who is ridiculed when his family moves from San Francisco's Chinatown to a predominantly white suburb; Danny, a popular Caucasion high school jock whose social status is jeopardized when his dorky, embarrassing Chinese cousin, Chin-Kee, attends his high school; and the Monkey King, who is unsatisfied with his current sovereign and longs to be elevated to the status of a god. Their stories converge into a revealing outcome that aptly blends traditional Chinese fables with teen bathroom humor, action figures, and playground politics.
Critical Evaluation: Gene Luen Yang’s does a good job illustrating a complex topic into clear, crisp drawings, logical cartoon panels and strong textual narrative. This novel explores the impact of American ideals on outsiders of the dominant culture with a lot of humor and suspense. This would be a good read for reluctant readers and non-white teens whom encounter similar harrassent (as well as inner conflict) during their daily life in high school.
Reader’s Annotation:
Jin Wang is just trying to get along with the white kids at school. He’s embarrassed by his Chinese fresh-off-the-boat cousin, Chin-Kee, and would rather be seen as the cool, suave guy he really feels like inside. How much will his own family’s culture haunt him as he grows up in America?
Information About the Author:
Gene Luen Yang began drawing comic books in the fifth grade. He received the Xeric Grant, a prestigious comics industry award, for his first comic work. American Born Chinese was a National Book Award finalist for Young People’s Literature, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, a Booklist Editor's Choice for 2006, and recipient of the 2007 Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his lovely wife and children and teaches at a Roman Catholic high school.
Genre:
Teen Issues: Racism, Outsiders
Contemporary Life: Coming of Age
Fantasy: Myth and Legend
Heroes and Heroines: Mythical Creatures
Alternate/Parallel Worlds: Time travel
Mutlicultural Fiction: Asian Americans
Alternative Format: Graphic Novels
Curriculum Ties: English class, Ethnic Studies class, Art class, History class, Psychology class, Book clubs, Social clubs, Recommendations for Reluctant Readers
Booktalking Ideas:
• America’s history of race relations and how it relates to ethnic identity
• Different styles of graphic novel storytelling
• The use of myth and legend in this story
• The effectiveness of parallel storytelling in this book
• Do you have an ethnic identity conflict? Do you know someone who does?
Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 7-12
Challenge Issues/Defenses:
Potential Challenges:
• Portrayal of racist stereotypes and language
• Depiction of violence
• References to Sexual Behavior
• Depiction of a character who smokes
Defense Strategy:
• Provide our Collection Development Policy (which includes Young Adult scope): http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/library/collection.asp
• Provide advisory reviews for parents about this book’s content and age appropriateness:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/American-Born-Chinese.html
• Refer to awards won by this book from reputable organizations:
http://us.macmillan.com/americanbornchinesehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Yang
• Provide book reviews by literary journals and media publications:
http://us.macmillan.com/americanbornchinese
• Provide book reviews by actual readers on a publicly accessible website:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Born-Chinese-Gene-Luen/dp/1596431520
http://www.librarything.com/work/1145147
Why This Book Was Included: I love graphic novels! I'm glad to see broader acceptance of this art/literary form in young adult library collections. Graphic novels that focus on realistic nonwhite characters are pretty rare in American comics, and ones that emphasize the ethnic identity of teen males is rarer still. This one is a great addition to any teen reading list.
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