AMERICAN BORN CHINESE by Gene Luen Yang

C. Patterson's TWU Blog: Book Review Spring 2007
Welcome to the Book Review section of my TWU blog. This blog was established as a requirement of my TWU course: Literature for Children & Young Adults (LS 5603.20).

AMERICAN BORN CHINESE by Gene Luen Yang

Book Review: Michael L. Printz Award
AMERICAN BORN CHINESE by Gene Luen Yang

Bibliography
Yang, Gene Luen. 2006. AMERICAN BORN CHINESE. New York & London: First Second. ISBN 1596431520

Plot Summary
This story introduces three seemingly unrelated characters. The Monkey King of Flower Fruit Mountain aspires to be in alignment with other gods in the heavens but must become the creature that Tze-Yo-Tzuh, his awesome creator intends for him to be. Jin Wang, an American born Chinese, befriends Wei-Chen all while trying to fit into a typical United States upper grade school. Danny, an Anglo-American, is humiliated once again by a yearly visit by his outspoken Chinese cousin, Chin-Kee. These three separate plots intertwine throughout the story and mold together at the climactic end.

Critical Analysis
Graphic novelist Gene Yang presents three individual plotlines that deal with the issue of what it means to be Asian American and how that affects their ability to be accepted into American culture. These three completely independent storylines cleverly converge into a meaningful climax that leaves the message: accept who you are and you’ll be happier for it.

Young readers will identify with pop culture attributes such as Transformer toys, Coke, and sitcoms. Yang skillfully creates a clever and painfully humorous commentary about race, self-acceptance, alienation, and teenage angst.

Yang provides occasional Chinese ideograms or myths that blend with potty humor, playground politics, and racial stereotypes. Yang uncomfortably brings to head the realistic stereotypes that have existed in American for years through his depiction of Chin-Kee. Reviewers of this graphic novel contend that Chin-Kee and other characters promote an insulting portrayal of the Chinese culture with their grossly exaggerated stereotypes.

Yang creates strong visual interest to this novel through his crisp line drawings which are rich and vibrant. This accomplished graphic storyteller often produces the art that contradicts the written word thus creating a synthesis that engages the reader. The illustrations complement the story effectively without overshadowing the powerful text.


Review Excerpts
“Yang helps the humor shine by using his art to exaggerate or contradict the words, creating a synthesis that marks an accomplished graphic storyteller. The stories have a simple, engaging sweep to them, but their weighty subjects–shame, racism, and friendship–receive thoughtful, powerful examination.” -Booklist
“Even when Yang slips in an occasional Chinese ideogram or myth, the sentiments he’s depicting need no translation. Yang accomplishes the remarkable feat of practicing what he preaches with this book: accept who you are and you’ll already have reached out to others.” – Publisher’s Weekly
“… this novel explores the impact of the American dream on those outside the dominant culture in a finely wrought story that is an effective combination of humor and drama.” – School Library Journal

Connections

• Identify several Chinese Folktales mentioned in the story and research how they interconnect with American Born Chinese.


• Visit Yang’s blog: http://www.firstsecondbooks.com/authors/geneYangBlogMain.html


• Read The Trades Interview with Gene Yang: http://www.the-trades.com/article.php?id=5053


• Read other graphic novels by Gene Luen Yang
  GORDON YAMAMOTO AND THE KING OF THE GEEKS. ISBN: 0943151953
  LOYOLA CHIN AND THE SAN PELIGRAN ORDER. ISBN: 1593620055

Photo courtesy of www.amazon.com