Bibliographic Data: Yang, Gene Luen. 2006. American Born Chinese. Coloring by Lark Pien. New York: First Second. ISBN: 978159643152
Summary
American Born Chinese is a rich and boldly illustrated graphic novel that tells three seemingly separate stories of The Monkey King, Kin Wang (the book’s namesake), and Danny, an Anglo-American. All three plots flush out and speak of the importance of self-reflection, self acceptance, and pride in one’s heritage/culture/family/self in order to become truly happy or enlightened. The plots connect in a clever way throughout the story, and combine expertly in the end.
Critical Analysis
This graphic novel relies on the marriage of illustration and concise dialogue (internal and otherwise) to tell the story of three characters struggling to appreciate themselves and their heritage, and desperately wanting to assimilate to the American norm (or whatever norm, really) in order to fit in.
The fact that Yang both illustrated and created the dialogue only makes the stories more impactful. Many of the drawings are exaggerated in what could be considered a culturally insensitive manner (the cousin, Chin-Kee reminds me of Mickey Rooney’s portrayal of I.Y. Yunioshi in Breakfast at Tiffany’s) however, I think in a way that lends to the point of the story. Yang, clearly, does not see his character in this manner but he is showing how Danny views his cousin as this awful caricature. The language/voice given to Chin-Kee could be explained in the same manner as the illustrative portrayl of him, but once again, I think this is purposeful. The colors, overall, are subdued and the crisp lines and use of negative space make the story feel authentic to the graphic novel theme.
The way the stories intersect throughout is done masterfully. At the beginning of the novel Yang thanks his mother and father for sharing the stories of the Monkey-King, and the displaced Taiwanese boy, and it is clear that those inspirations lend themselves to the authentic emotion and story imparted by Yang. His message is clear, love yourself for exactly who you are, or you will never know true happiness. It rings authentic and I definitely recommend this story to teens that have trouble fitting in.
Awards
Reviews:
Booklist “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
Publisher’s Weekly- “True to its origin as a Web comic, this story's clear, concise lines and expert coloring are deceptively simple yet expressive. 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.”
Connections
Summary
American Born Chinese is a rich and boldly illustrated graphic novel that tells three seemingly separate stories of The Monkey King, Kin Wang (the book’s namesake), and Danny, an Anglo-American. All three plots flush out and speak of the importance of self-reflection, self acceptance, and pride in one’s heritage/culture/family/self in order to become truly happy or enlightened. The plots connect in a clever way throughout the story, and combine expertly in the end.
Critical Analysis
This graphic novel relies on the marriage of illustration and concise dialogue (internal and otherwise) to tell the story of three characters struggling to appreciate themselves and their heritage, and desperately wanting to assimilate to the American norm (or whatever norm, really) in order to fit in.
The fact that Yang both illustrated and created the dialogue only makes the stories more impactful. Many of the drawings are exaggerated in what could be considered a culturally insensitive manner (the cousin, Chin-Kee reminds me of Mickey Rooney’s portrayal of I.Y. Yunioshi in Breakfast at Tiffany’s) however, I think in a way that lends to the point of the story. Yang, clearly, does not see his character in this manner but he is showing how Danny views his cousin as this awful caricature. The language/voice given to Chin-Kee could be explained in the same manner as the illustrative portrayl of him, but once again, I think this is purposeful. The colors, overall, are subdued and the crisp lines and use of negative space make the story feel authentic to the graphic novel theme.
The way the stories intersect throughout is done masterfully. At the beginning of the novel Yang thanks his mother and father for sharing the stories of the Monkey-King, and the displaced Taiwanese boy, and it is clear that those inspirations lend themselves to the authentic emotion and story imparted by Yang. His message is clear, love yourself for exactly who you are, or you will never know true happiness. It rings authentic and I definitely recommend this story to teens that have trouble fitting in.
Awards
- Finalist for 2006 National Book Awards // Young People’s Literature
- 2007 Michael L. Printz Award
- 2007 Eisner Award // Best Graphic Album
- Publisher Weekly Comics Week Best of the Year
- San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year // 2006-2007
- Best Book // Chinese American Librarian’s Association
- Amazon.com // Best Graphic Novel/Comic of the Year
- Booklist Top Ten Graphic Novels for Youth
- NPR Holiday Pick
- Time (Magazine) Top Ten Comic of the Year
Reviews:
Booklist “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
Publisher’s Weekly- “True to its origin as a Web comic, this story's clear, concise lines and expert coloring are deceptively simple yet expressive. 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.”
Connections
- Ask what religious or cultural stories the kids were told from their families. Relate it to the story of the Monkey-King.
- Explain that all of us are different, and ask the kids to partner up and explain which differences and similarities the children like about each other.