American Born Chinese

Peach’s Picks Rating


Title:
American Born Chinese

Author:
Gene Luen Yan

Illustrator:
Gene Luen Yan with color by Lark Pien

ISBN:
978-159643-152-2

Publisher:
New York: First Second

Copyright:
2006

Length:
233 pages

Plot Summary:
Three interwoven stories are told in this book. At the beginning of the book the reader meets the Monkey King, a traditional Chinese folktale character. The Monkey King is powerful and a kung-fu master. However, he is not satisfied with his life and wishes to be an even more powerful god. Jin Wang is the main character in the book’s next story. The reader meets Jin as he and his parents move to a new neighborhood and he begins attending school in a white neighborhood. His bigoted white teacher continually mispronounces Jin’s name calling him Jing Jang. Also, the boorish teacher tells the class that Jin just arrived from China although he has moved from San Francisco. Later in secondary school, Jin makes a rocky friendship with Wei-Chen, the only other Chinese boy in school. They have a lot to learn from each other. The third story focuses on Chin-Kee, a Chinese stereotype, and his cousin Danny. Chin-Kee is the most offensive Chinese stereotype imaginable. Danny goes to great lengths to avoid him, even changing schools. He cannot escape Chin-Kee. The theme of the stories is accepting who you are.

Critical Evaluation:
Readers who page through the book and believe they are picking up a funny comic are in for a surprise. While the book is funny, even hilarious, it presents serious discussions about self-acceptance, racism, stereotyping, and bigotry. The three interwoven stories draw on popular culture as well as Chinese folklore to weave the tales. The story is told in words and pictures, each complementing the other. The story can be read on the surface and then reread again to find clever references and devices such as Chin-Kee’s name. (Say it quickly; it is the ethnic slur “chinky”.) The book seems to be three short stories, but the author ties them together in an ending that will take most readers by surprise and leave them smiling and nodding their heads in delight. Even though the subject is racism against Chinese people, the feelings of not fitting into a group and being an outcast are universal. The artwork and layout are beautiful. The cartoon drawings are clear. The layout is not busy with pages having from one to six panels. The panel sets are surrounded by white and are easy to follow. They are not crowded by too much text. The color is rich and helps focus the eye through the panels.

Reader’s Annotation:
Three hilarious stories are told through the eyes of the Monkey King, Jin Wang, and Chin-Kee along with his cousin Danny. Yes, the author is mirroring his life experiences.

Author Information:
Grew up in Saratoga, California located near San Jose
When he was a child he thought he wanted to be an animator
Began drawing comics during 5th grade along with a friend who is now a doctor
Influenced by Disney cartoons and animation, Batman animated series, and the work of Bruce Timm
Began publishing comic books in 1996
Received the Xeric Grant (1997) for his book Gordon Yamamoto and the King of the Geeks
Teaches computer science at a Catholic high school in Oakland, California
Lives in Fremont, California with wife and children

Genre:
Alternative format – graphic novel

Curriculum Ties:
Use in literature classes and human development classes

Booktalking Ideas:
Show the book and read from page 29, the herbalist says: “It’s easy to become anything you wish . . . - . . . so long as you’re willing to forfeit your soul.”

Show the book and read page 118 where Chin-Kee is laughing because he peed in the Coke can of a high school student who was bothering him.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
Ages 14-18

Additional Books by Author:
Gordon Yamamoto and the King of the Geeks
Loyola Chin and the San Peligran Order
The Rosary Comic Book
The Motherless One

Challenge Issues:
Stereotyping, cartoon violence
Deal with challenge by having a challenge policy in place, selection policy in place (ALA policies). Meet with library administration if necessary. Provide positive review(s) from professional publications.

Why this work is included in Peach’s Picks:
American Born Chinese is included in this blog because it received the Michael L. Printz Award (2007). Five peaches are awarded for being a beautiful graphic novel with a powerful message.

Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Born-Chinese-Gene-Luen/dp/0312384483/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272989030&sr=1-1

References:
Margolis, R. (2006). "American Born Chinese". School Library Journal, 52(9), 41. Retrieved from March 27, 2010, from Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text database.

Yang, G. L., (2010). “About.” Humble Comics. Retrieved March 27, 2010, from http://humblecomics.com/about.htm