American Born Chinese

Yang, G.L. (2006). American Born Chinese. New York: First Second.

A National Book Award Finalist and Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature Winner, this graphic novel portrays some difficult issues for Chinese Americans growing up in an American school system.  It is very well written and illustrated with three separate stories finally converging into one at the end.  Readers will most likely empathize with Jin Wang and his perspective on trying to fit in.  The stories about Danny and the Monkey King seem largely symbolical until it all comes together at the end.  Can Jin Wang find a way to fit in and even more important, will Jin Wang ever learn to accept himself for who he is?  Find out while reading this very entertaining, brightly illustrated graphic novel.  (Grade 7 and up).