American Born Chinese

Title: American Born Chinese

Author: Gene Luen Yank

Published: Sep 2006

ISBN: 9781596431522

Pages: 233

Price: 9.99

Reading Level: 3rd grade

Interest Level: 7th-12th grade

Genre: graphic novel, fiction

Awards: Printz Award, National Book Award Nominee, ALA's Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults. 

Plot Summary: The comic has 3 story lines, one of a monkey king who wants to take work his way up to the gods, Jin Wang who moves to a new neighborhood and is the only Chinese-American student and Chin-kee who is the embodiment of Chinese stereotypes and is ruining his cousins life by embarrassing him at school. The stories go back and forth with no real connection other than they all deal with some part of Chinese culture. While the stories seem unrelated they are far more related then believed at the beginning.

Critical Review: Often times graphic novels don't have a serious meaning but American Born Chinese focuses on issues of identity and culture. It explores how complex being different can be, especially when it comes to race and ethnicity. It really explores issues of stereotypes and how our culture and race influence how we see ourselves and others in society. I enjoyed how the three separate story lines came together in the end and create one cohesive story built upon the three story lines. The artwork is also wonderful with bright bold drawings. Also each story line has a different feel. The monkey king is a myth while Jin Wang is a straight forward realistic story line and then Chin-kee is presented as a tv comedy with the audience laughing at his stereotypical behavior. It was a short read with some complex themes.

Reading Annotation: An action filled modern Fable the story includes three separate story lines that culminate to create a unique twist ending.

Bibliotheraputic Usefulness: This story will have big appeal to teens who deal with racism or stereotypes. It focuses on culture identity and many teens can relate to that struggle. It also shows how stereotypes can be hurtful and wrong. 

Main Themes: racism, identity, culture

Book Talking Ideas: The story centers around trying to fit in and stereotypes, those would be good themes to focus on for the book talk.

Issues: The story contains racial stereotypes about the Chinese community which some may find offensive. 

Author Website: http://geneyang.com/

Professional Reviews: Publisher's Weekly

Why include this book? This book is a perfect example on how graphic novels can tackle complex issues. 

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-TIme Indian

Title: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Author: Sherman Alexie
Published: Sept., 2007
ISBN: 0316013692
Page number: 230
Price: $16.99
Reading Level: 6th grade
Interest Level: 7th grade and up
Awards: National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2007), School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (2007), American Indian Library Association Award (2007)
Plot Summary: Junior lives on an Indian reservation in Washington with his parents and sister. Like much of the reservation his parents are alcoholics living in poverty. His sister, who had great promise, now hides away in the basement. Junior is an awkward but intelligent teen who stutters and has health issues due to being born with water on the brain. He is often picked on by the other kids on the reservation but his best friend Rowdy always comes to his defense. But when Junior decides that his only hope for his future is to go to school off the reservation his best friend turns on him, along with the rest of the reservation. Things are too great at his new school either since Junior is the only Indian in a see of white faces. As he tries his best to fit in he starts to feel that he is betraying his Indian heritage.
Review: This has been a book I've wanted to read for a while. It's had its fair share of controversy and it delivers with course language, talk of masturbation, alcoholism, racism and abuse. But the story is wonderfully told with humor, sadness and honesty. Junior is struggling with his choice to attend school off the reservation at a nearby school where everyone is white. He is treated as an outcast at his new school and a traitor back home. But Junior is resilient, he doesn't give up, even against all odds and great tragedy.   It is Junior's wit and humour that keeps the book moving and from becoming too depressing. Alexie manages to deliver a lot of heavy subject matters with a healthy dose of humor. The story itself gives a glimpse of how life hopeless life on the reservation can be for young Native Americans. This feeling could easily be translated to poor areas across the country. While many will criticize the story, saying it is a negative portrayal of Native Americans, I feel that Sherman Alexie has told a story that has frank honesty but manages to touch the reader in an emotional way.
Reader's Annotation: Junior lives on a reservation in Washington with his parents and sister. He may be the smartest person on the reservation but in a place that lacks opportunity and hope there isn't much of a future for Junior. So when Junior decides to leave his reservation to go to a white school a town over his decision is not well received by the kids at his new school or the people on his reservation. Can Junior still be an Indian even if he's turn his back on his reservation and will his new school ever accept him?
Book Talk Ideas: Junior loves to draw, so it would be interesting to use sketches or drawings to introduce the story.
Issues: The book has foul language, discussion of masturbation, alcoholism, racism and abuse.
Main Themes: racism, alcoholism, abuse, friendship, family, identity, poverty
Bibliotherapeutic usefulness: The story is very relatable for those dealing with poverty, alcoholism, abuse or racism. For many minorities who live in poverty the struggles that Junior faces when he decides to try and get out of the reservation are very relatable and real life issues. It can help others realize the many problems that plague the Native American population and others living in extreme poverty like Junior.
Read-alikes: Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S King, Eyes of the Emperor by Graham Salisbury
Author Website: http://www.fallsapart.com/
Professional Reviews: Publisher's Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
Why this book was chosen: The book not only features a Native American as the main character but the author is Native American. So often YA lit does not represent diversity so this story is not only great because the author is Native American but because the story is unique in it's honest telling of Native American struggles. It is also a book that has received great praise from critics and readers.