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American Born Chinese

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American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang is a graphic novel that intertwines three separate stories - one of Jin Wang, a Chinese American boy struggling to fit in at a white school, the story of the Monkey King from Chinese folklore, and the tale of a Caucasian family with a stereotyped Chinese cousin. These stories come together to illustrate themes of identity, acceptance, and the challenges of being different in a predominantly white society. The book addresses issues such as racism, stereotypes, and the Asian American experience through a blend of humor, fantasy, and relatable teenage struggles.

The novel is written in a comix style, featuring colorful illustrations that complement the storytelling. The plot weaves together the lives of the characters in a way that brings depth and complexity to the narrative, ultimately delivering a message of self-acceptance and tolerance. Through the combination of image and text, Gene Luen Yang masterfully creates a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, appealing to a wide range of readers, including middle school children and adults.

Characters:

The characters are relatable and dynamic, each representing different facets of cultural identity struggles, with Jin Wang, the Monkey King, and Danny facing their unique challenges.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style incorporates visual elements that enhance the narrative through expressive illustrations and accessible dialogue, successfully blending humor with serious themes.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around three interconnected narratives that delve into themes of identity, bullying, and self-acceptance, showcasing the characters' struggles to fit in while being true to their heritage.

Setting:

The setting spans both contemporary America, particularly in school environments, and ancient Chinese folklore, juxtaposing modern identity struggles against traditional narratives.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk, with the graphic novel format allowing for quick transitions between stories, maintaining reader engagement throughout.

Notes:

American Born Chinese was published in 2006 by Gene Luen Yang.
It was a finalist for the National Book Award in the Young People's Literature category in 2006.
The book won the 2007 Michael L. Printz Award and the 2007 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album.
It is the first graphic novel recognized by the National Book Foundation.
The graphic novel features three interwoven stories: the Monkey King, Jin Wang, and Danny.
The Monkey King is a Chinese fable character seeking acceptance amongst gods.
Jin Wang deals with bullying and cultural identity as he adapts to his new school.
Danny is embarrassed by his cousin Chin Kee, who embodies negative Chinese stereotypes.
Chin Kee's character is meant to critique and expose harmful stereotypes.
The book explores themes of fitting in, identity, and culture among Asian Americans.
It is a colorful novel, with illustrations by Lark Pien, who also received an award for her coloring work.
Yang integrates humor and serious issues, making the themes accessible to young adults.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes themes of racism, bullying, cultural stereotypes, and struggles with identity.

Has Romance?

There is a moderate presence of romance as Jin Wang develops feelings for his classmate.

From The Publisher:

Gene Luen Yang was the fifth the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and is a MacArthur Fellow, a recipient of what's popularly known as the MacArthur "Genius" Grant.

A tour-de-force by New York Times bestselling graphic novelist Gene Yang, American Born Chinese tells the story of three apparently unrelated characters: Jin Wang, who moves to a new neighborhood with his family only to discover that he's the only Chinese-American student at his new school; the powerful Monkey King, subject of one of the oldest and greatest Chinese fables; and Chin-Kee, a personification of the ultimate negative Chinese stereotype, who is ruining his cousin Danny's life with his yearly visits. Their lives and stories come together with an unexpected twist in this action-packed modern fable. American Born Chinese is an amazing ride, all the way up to the astonishing climax.

American Born Chinese is the winner of the 2007 Michael L. Printz Award, a 2006 National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature, the winner of the 2007 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album: New, an Eisner Award nominee for Best Coloring, a 2007 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, and a New York Times bestseller.

This title has Common Core Connections

Ratings (7)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (3)
It Was OK (3)

Reader Stats (21):

Read It (9)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (5)
Not Interested (6)

About the Author:

Gene Luen Yang began drawing comic books in the fifth grade. In 1997, he received the Xeric Grant, a prestigious comics industry grant, for Gordon Yamamoto and the King of the Geeks, his first comics work. He has since written and drawn a number of titles, including Duncan's Kingdom (with art by Derek Kirk Kim), The Rosary Comic Book, Prime Baby and Animal Crackers. American Born Chinese, his first graphic novel from First Second, was a National Book Award finalist, as well as the winner of the Printz Award and an Eisner Award. He also won an Eisner for The Eternal Smile, a collaboration with Derek Kirk Kim. Yang lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he teaches high school.

 
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