Plot Summary
In Gene Luen Yang's graphic novel American Born Chinese, three story threads are woven together--Jin Wang's trials of trying to fit in as a Chinese kid in an all-white high school, the disastrous visit of Chin-Kee, Danny's worst nightmare and the living embodiment of every Asian stereotype, and the fable of Monkey King, the most powerful monkey on earth who rejects his identity as a monkey because he wants to be a god. Initially there's a tantalizing dissonance, and the reader wonders how these stories connect. Yang masterfully weaves all three narratives together to craft an outsider narrative that looks at the costs of the American Dream for those on the margins. But don't worry--it's not just the heavy-duty identify stuff--it's also a fun ride with farting, fighting, and a little bit of romance.
Critical Evaluation
What feels particularly novel about American Born Chinese is Yang’s weaving together of three seemingly disconnected narratives into one tale that touches on racism, prejudice and self-acceptance. The dissonance of some of the stories (this reader initially wondered, “How is it that blond-haired, blue-eyed Danny has the Chinese cousin, Chin-kee?”) adds some healthy confusion. At moments, this reader wanted to ask Yang, “Wait, what are you doing and where are you taking me?” By the end of the graphic novel, I felt that Yang was, in fact, a trusted guide who knew where he was going the entire time. All of the narratives build toward an encounter with prejudice and a transformation that culminates in self-acceptance. Like the monkey who wants to be something he is not (a god), Jin, too, must learn to accept himself amidst the trials of being one of the only Asian kids at his school.
Reader's Annotation
Ever felt like you were the only outsider in a sea of people who all belong together? That’s how Jin feels when his family moves from San Francisco’s Chinatown to an all-white community.
Information about the Author
On his website, the author writes, “Hi! I’m Gene Luen Yang. Thanks for visiting my site! I began publishing comic books under the name Humble Comics in 1996. In 1997, I got the Xeric Grant for Gordon Yamamoto and the King of the Geeks. (If you’re interested in creating comics yourself, check out the Xeric Foundation. They’re a great organization!) Since then I’ve written and drawn a number of stories in comics. American Born Chinese, released by First Second Books in 2006, became the first graphic novel to be nominated for a National Book Award and the first to win the American Library Association’s Printz Award. It also won an Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album – New. The Eternal Smile, a collaborative project I did with Derek Kirk Kim in 2009, won an Eisner as well. And I just received word that my 2010 graphic novella Prime Baby has been nominated for an Eisner! Now, Thien Pham and I look forward to the release of our new graphic novel Level Up in June 2011. In addition to cartooning, I teach computer science at a Catholic high school in California.”
Genre
Graphic Novel
Curriculum Ties
This would be a terrific work to include for any study of immigration to the US.
Booktalking Ideas
Since this is a graphic novel with dynamic visuals, I think that introducing each of the three main characters by showing comic panels on an overhead projector would be a good idea.
Reading Level/ Interest Age
Ages 14+
Challenge Issues
N/A
Why Included
I thought that a graphic novel that looked at questions of immigration and assimilation from a Chinese-American perspective sounded compelling. I was also drawn to American Born Chinese being both a National Book Award finalist and Printz award winner--what clinched it for me is that Gene Yang is a Bay Area author who teaches at the high school where I am an intern!
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