The first graphic novel to win the Printz Award! It's an interesting read from a outsider's perspective. It's even better the second read, once you have absorbed the story and can now concentrate on the metaphors and hidden messages.

posted Feb 28, 2007 at 1:21PM

06).

posted May 9, 2007 at 11:41AM

This deceptively simple graphic novel is quite a complex moral story about living as an Asian American male in the US. One of the fantastic elements of the story is the incorporation of a beloved Chinese story about a monkey king. Chinese-born readers will recognize this story immediately. For people unexposed to the story, its function in the story is evident even on the first read through. This book could feel offensive during reading. It truly highlights the reality of the psychology of our Asian-American male children and their issues of dealing with their ethnicity in the US.

posted Jan 7, 2009 at 10:21AM

Yang has a knack for wry humor, which I appreciate in memoir. Aimed at a teen audience but suitable for adults.

posted Feb 28, 2009 at 2:03PM

American Born Chinese is a graphic novel. This format tells its story through comic book-like panels of images and dialogue. It’s a perfect style for a coming-of-age story about a Chinese American boy dealing with the casual racism of high school life; a mythical character from Chinese folklore who thinks the gods don’t respect him because he’s a monkey; and a European American boy suffering the embarrassment of a visit from his Chinese cousin Chin-Kee. These three stories intertwine and merge beautifully through Yang’s lively illustrations and challenging stereotypes. The three characters face obvious problems but they are realistically flawed and their stories are told with originality and spirit—and some surprising plot twists and turns. The tale of Jin, the Monkey King, and Danny is a story for every dorky boy who wishes he was someone else—and let’s face it, we’ve all been there. American Born Chinese is truly American tale for the American dork in all its forms.

posted Jun 26, 2009 at 3:51PM

 Add a Comment