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    American Born Chinese
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    American Born Chinese
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    American Born Chinese
    Ebook234 pages5 minutes

    American Born Chinese

    By Gene Luen Yang

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    A tour-de-force by rising indy comics star Gene Yang, American Born Chinese tells the story of three apparently unrelated characters: Jin Wang, who moves to a new neighborhood with his family only to discover that he's the only Chinese-American student at his new school; the powerful Monkey King, subject of one of the oldest and greatest Chinese fables; and Chin-Kee, a personification of the ultimate negative Chinese stereotype, who is ruining his cousin Danny's life with his yearly visits. Their lives and stories come together with an unexpected twist in this action-packed modern fable. American Born Chinese is an amazing ride, all the way up to the astonishing climax.

    American Born Chinese is a 2006 National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature, the winner of the 2007 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album: New, an Eisner Award nominee for Best Coloring and a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

    This title has Common Core Connections

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMacmillan Publishers
    Release dateSep 5, 2006
    ISBN9781429969369
    Unavailable
    American Born Chinese
    Author

    Gene Luen Yang

    Gene Luen Yang writes, and sometimes draws, comic books and graphic novels. He was named a National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress in 2016, and advocates for the importance of reading, especially reading diversely. His graphic novel American Born Chinese, a National Book Award finalist and Printz Award winner, has been adapted into an original series on Disney+. His two-volume graphic novel Boxers & Saints won the LA Times Book Prize and was a National Book Award Finalist. His nonfiction graphic novel, Dragon Hoops, received an Eisner award and a Printz honor. His other comics work includes Secret Coders (with Mike Holmes), The Shadow Hero (with Sonny Liew), and Superman Smashes the Klan and the Avatar: The Last Airbender series (both with Gurihiru). In 2016, he was named a MacArthur Foundation Fellow.

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    Reviews for American Born Chinese

    4/5

    1,681 ratings167 reviews

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      This was a very interesting book, maybe a bit thin on story but I guess that's typical with graphic novels. There were three different stories in this book, Jin Wang's story of fitting in and the stereotypes he experiences being Asian American. Also a Chinese Folktale story about The Monkey King and his lesson on humility. And our last was about Chin-Kee, the embodiment of negative Chinese stereotypes. I was a bit confused at first where does Chin-Kee's story fit in (since I forgot about it from the synopsis), but it did eventually make sense.

      Cool artwork, love how colorful it is too. Really appreciated the eyeopening and surprising discussion of stereotypes and how it can come from the people you would expect better from. I'm a huge fan of Asian cultural entertainments and fandoms, but I've never went as far as learning about this side of their experiences living in America. I mean I know it's there but I guess it's not something I would think about and I'm still puzzled at how in this age of being politically correct, why is every Asian person still always Chinese or Korean, and they're all really good as Kung Fu too. When I picked up this little book, I didn't expect it to get me thinking and looking at a another side of something.
    • 4/5
      I was not expecting to get this book. It has been on my radar for a couple of months, but I pretty much just happened upon it in Meltdown Comics and bought it. The book is basically three about stories that come crashing together in the end. The storytelling is excellent. It was surprising, but also logical and it wrapped up nicely in the end. The art is great too. I don't really have an immigrant story of my own, but there were still parts of the story that really resonated. And the monkey king is awesome.
    • 5/5
      American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang is an funny coming to age graphic novel that tale the stories of Jin Wang, the Monkey King and Chin-Kee. Jin Wang is an Chinese American teenagers who just wants to fit in with the American children in his school. However he don't fit in and tries to change himself. The Monkey King is an Monkey who lived for many of years and mastered Kung Fu but still is not happy with being just a monkey. And Chin-Kee is a walking Chinese stereotypes that visits his cousin Danny once a year and embarrass him through exaggerating Chinese cultures and bias. This book beautifully tries all the stories in the end, to teach the lesson to be yourself.
    • 3/5
      This says so much about accepting who you are and understanding that you cannot always escape your history; and that perhaps you shouldn't want to.
    • 5/5
      A great book for tackling some difficult discussion in a classroom environment or for a read on one's own.
    • 4/5
      personal response: I thought this was a very entertaining read. Having previously read The Eternal Smile, I was looking forward to reading more of Gene Yang's work. Unlike The Eternal Smile that has 3 separate stories each with their own graphic style, this book has 3 seemingly unrelated stories in similar style that ties them together visually; helpful when the stories later tie-in with one anotherThere are many great themes in the stories, mainly centering on the idea of being proud of who you are and accepting yourself, while at the same time tolerating the differences of other people curricular connections:Excellent and enjoyable choice for use in libraries. For those manga-obsessed teens this selection would provide them with something that has more substance and meaning than the typical stories they read.
    • 5/5
      So cute! I read this one in a few hours, the illustrations were simple yet bright and added flavor to the three stories. The first story is about Jin, a boy new to America who just wants to fit in. The second story is about the monkey king who wants to be greater than all and is taught a harsh lesson. The last story is about Danny, an all American boy who plays basketball and does well in school, but has an annual visit from his stereotypical cousin Chin Kee, who embarrasses him every year. The three stories come together beautifully and the drawings by Gene Yang help the reader actually see how the three stories are interrelated. Loved it!!
    • 5/5
      A great story about staying true to yourself, despite obstacles and opportunities. And a fantastic use of metaphor and satire.

      Lexile: (Graphic Novel)530
    • 5/5
      This trifold story illuminates the struggle of Chinese Americans in the face of adjusting to and being accepted within the American culture, but also staying true to self. The Monkey King, high schooler Jin Wang, and high schooler Danny (popular but embarrassed by visits from his Chinese cousin Chin-Kee), each have engaging stories that intertwine in the end. Lexile: 530AR BL: 3.3Recommended for: teens
    • 3/5
      This National Book Award finalist YA graphic novel explores the ideas of the American Dream for immigrants and their children, who might not meet some of the parameters. Three seemingly separate stories—of Monkey from the ancient tale Monkey: The Journey to the West; of Jin, the son of immigrants; and of Chin Kee, every offensive stereotype rolled into one--all connect at the end.I wonder how many of the people who pick up this book are even familiar with Monkey and his journey to the west (which I do really need to finish, though at this point I also need to start over). I wonder if I am missing something important in this story because I do not know his well enough.
    • 5/5
      It is often difficult for someone to place themselves in another person's shoes. As cliche as it may sound, this is a concept with which all American teenagers should be required to struggle. I feel that this may be the purpose of Gene Luen Yang's American Born Chinese--to ask young readers to become someone else for a while. Sure, there are numerous staple works of literature that provide this experience, and they are consistently introduced to high-schoolers without much real thought given to whether or not the students can still relate despite the years these works were published (ex: To Kill a Mockingbird was published in 1962). However, teachers need to be aware that there is an ever-growing number of works that can provide the same experience--and perhaps in a more powerful way. Yang's graphic novel finds itself in this number of modern works that help young readers see life through the eyes of someone of a different race/culture/background. His novel tells three powerful yet humorous stories. Each story evokes concepts of identity-transformation and its rippling effects.This book is obviously a great tool to use within a diverse classroom as a way to introduce several of the important concepts mentioned above, but it is also an excellent way of showing students that there are different mediums through which authors can convey powerful messages. Many students still think of reading as twenty plus chapters of small text print in a traditional, 3x5, paperback novel. Although some of the classic works of literature are in this format, students need to know that works like Yang's exist and are fun to read.
    • 2/5
      Three seemingly disconnected stories of a monkey king, Jin Wang, and Danny eventually converge to illustrate the difficulties of adaptation and gaining acceptance. In each story, the characters face stereotypes and bullies. The characters gain an understanding of how incorrect perceptions may lurk inside and outside oneself.

      Gene Luen Yang’s colorful, humorous, and well-illustrated graphic novel speaks to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. The work is particularly telling of the complex issues that face first-generation American youths.
    • 3/5
      Summary: Jin Wang moves to a new school where he’s the only other Asian kid. He eats lunch alone and has no real friends. Will he ever be like the other kids?Review: This is the first graphic novel I’ve ever read. I liked it, but I didn’t love it. I think that’s more to do with me getting used to a new story medium than with this specific story.The message of this book—to accept yourself—is universal, and the artwork is crisp and vibrant. And I enjoyed how the three different storylines come together in the end.But I would like to try reading more graphic novels to see if I can get into the format.
    • 5/5
      As a Chinese immigrant who grew up in North America, this book rang particularly true for me. Childhood in general is full of the pressure to fit in, but it's doubly difficult when you come from an alien culture. This is a graphic novel that follows three stories: one is the famous Chinese folktale of the Monkey King, the second is that of a young Chinese boy going to school in the US, and the third is that of an American boy embarrassed by his stereotypically Chinese cousin. These three separate tales converge to form a single look at diversity in America, childhood alienation, and the acceptance of the 'different' self. Gene Luen Yang pulls it off with enviable skill. His drawings are excellent, and the stories are funny and alternately heart-breaking. Some people have said the end is too vague, but I thought it was appropriate. The characters, after all, still have ways to go, and so do the people around them.
    • 4/5
      When we learn all the three stories are intertwined with one another.
    • 4/5
      I read this for the first time three years ago and fancied giving it a reread on Scribd when I was away for a conference with no access to my books or my library.

      Being a graphic novel, particularly a second read of a graphic novel, this was an extremely quick read and highly enjoyable. The bright and cartoony illustration style was perfect for me and managed to portray a lot of emotion with very few lines.

      I loved the blending of Chinese fable and folklore, with a contemporary story of race relations in America and attitudes towards American-born people of Asian descent. This is something that I haven't seen a lot of in fiction and something that I would like to see more so if you have any recommendations, please do let me know.

      Gene Yuen Lang has written other graphic novels, specifically Boxers & Saints, which I believe draw on Chinese history and I would love to check them out especially after this reread. Overall this is a great graphic novel about accepting your heritage and yourself and I would highly recommend it.
    • 4/5
      I liked the passing back and forth with two stories that came together as one.
      Another great life lesson graphic novel for kids.
    • 3/5
      Good story of Chinese American and America.
    • 4/5
      American Born Chinese tells the stories of three people that all come together. Jin Wang is the son of Chinese immigrants, and dreams of being an "all-American" boy so that he can fit in. The Monkey King tries to be something that he is not. Danny is embarrassed by his cousin Chin-kee's annual visits - Danny's story is told with a laugh track and has the beats of a sitcom: the icky kind that makes jokes of people.It's a really good story about embracing who you are, which isn't easy in the face of racism, rejection, and the casual cruelty of people.
    • 3/5
      Teen graphic novel. I'm generally not big into graphic novels, but this one was surprisingly clever and funny.
    • 4/5
      American Born Chinese alternates seemingly disparate chapters that in the end come together. It is an engaging tale about a Chinese-American boy growing up in an almost all-white town and his feelings of alienation from most of his school mates.
    • 5/5
      A worthwhile book divided into 3 widely different stories about Chinese culture that slowly start to connect in a compelling, satisfying way.
    • 3/5
      This book has been on my TBR for a while and it should have stayed there. There was so much hype for this book. I know part of that is because when it came out in 2006 there was nothing really like it available for middle grade. It’s a graphic novel that mixes history, myth, and modern culture, to look at the stereotypical way Americans can treat those of asian descent. It helps to illustrate how these “american born chinese” can be made to feel, or who they may wish they were born with different skin. By the end of the book I appreciate it more. It was all wrapped together and the story made sense. But while reading it felt a little all over the place, and quite a bit racist. The racism works in the story once you get to the end, but in the moment it feels horrible and I can see how it would put people off. Overall I can see why so many have fallen in love with this story, and I just wish I was one of them.
    • 4/5
      3 stories intertwine in this graphic novel. By coming face to face with stereotypes, the reader can get a glimpse of how this treatment affects Jin Wang. Discrimination has gone on forever in America. This book addresses it with the Chinese-American.
    • 4/5
      This graphic novel is about a teenage boy named Jin Wang who struggles to find and accept his cultural identity. Jim moved from China Town San Francisco to somewhere else in California. He the only Chinese American student at his new school, and all he really wants is to fit in with the rest of the kids, especially Amelia Harris, the pretty American girl with whom he falls in love. But Amelia never notices Jin, and he fades into the background. Soon, Jin is not the only Asian American student in his school—Wei-Chen arrives from Taiwan. But who wants to be friends with an FOB, (fresh off the boat). After countless attempts to fit into the mainstream crowd, Jin settles for Wei-Chen’s friendship.

      Intertwined with Jin’s story are those of other characters who also do not fit into their surroundings. The Monkey King has ruled for thousands of years and has mastered all the heavenly disciplines, yet he yearns to leave the monkeys behind to join the ranks of the gods. His foolish acts get him into five hundred years of trouble at the hands of Tze-Yo-Tzuh, and and finds himself hopelessly buried under a big rock pile. The Monkey King must now rely on the trust of a stranger to lead him toward freedom. In yet a third story, Danny is a popular, athletic teenager whose life is amazing until his cousin Chin-Kee arrives from China. Chin-Kee is the epitome of Chinese stereotypes—eating cat gizzards, excelling in classes, speaking in broken English, big buck teeth slanted eyes—and Danny wants to hide him away and pretend he does not exist. But Chin-Kee ends up going to school with Danny every day, ruining Danny’s reputation. So much so that Danny has to change schools every year.

      These three narratives alternate throughout the novel and arrive at a daring crossroads at the climax of the story. In the end, Jin realizes much about his perceptions of life and identity and sets off on his own path of redemption. Luckily, his best friend is there waiting.

      Yang wrote American Born Chinese as a way to explore his own experiences growing up as an Asian American, and his novel is a valuable resource for exploring themes that revolve around acceptance, diversity, and identity.
    • 4/5
      This was a very interesting book, maybe a bit thin on story but I guess that's typical with graphic novels. There were three different stories in this book, Jin Wang's story of fitting in and the stereotypes he experiences being Asian American. Also a Chinese Folktale story about The Monkey King and his lesson on humility. And our last was about Chin-Kee, the embodiment of negative Chinese stereotypes. I was a bit confused at first where does Chin-Kee's story fit in (since I forgot about it from the synopsis), but it did eventually make sense.

      Cool artwork, love how colorful it is too. Really appreciated the eyeopening and surprising discussion of stereotypes and how it can come from the people you would expect better from. I'm a huge fan of Asian cultural entertainments and fandoms, but I've never went as far as learning about this side of their experiences living in America. I mean I know it's there but I guess it's not something I would think about and I'm still puzzled at how in this age of being politically correct, why is every Asian person still always Chinese or Korean, and they're all really good as Kung Fu too. When I picked up this little book, I didn't expect it to get me thinking and looking at a another side of something.
    • 4/5
      This is a good combination of a modern American identity story and Chinese lore. Once again, the Monkey King is up to interesting shenanigans.
    • 4/5
      Entertaining and illuminating. Yang's interwoven tales, backed by wonderful illustrations, present the issues of assimilation and identity in ways that are funny, touching and refreshingly original. (Even the story of the Monkey King, which I've seen and heard before, gets an unique twist that dovetails perfectly with Yang's themes.) I almost skipped one of the three narrative strands because of a character's very stereotyped depiction (being an American-born Chinese myself, I found that content rather painful to read), but stick with it -- there's a good reason he's that way.
    • 3/5
      I don't really have much to say about this book either. It was good, and a quick read, as graphic novels usually are, and I debated four stars, but it just didn't seem quite that deserving. oh how i wish there was more than a five star scale...
    • 4/5
      Gene Luen Yang’s graphic narrative combines elements of autobiography, Chinese mythology, and magical realism to create a tale of “othered” youth to which any young adult or adult who has ever struggled with the dilemma of assimilation should be able to relate.Yang adds ample doses of snarky humor to his intricately woven narrative, which seems to develop along three distinct strands. The narrative opens with the tale of the Monkey King, a Chinese mythological figure who feels slighted by the more powerful gods and resolves to prove his power and might. Next we meet Jin, the American-born Chinese of the title. We follow Jin’s tale through middle school as he endeavors to identify as a member of “mainstream” American youth by avoiding fellow Asian students, adopting an “American” hairstyle, and dating a Caucasian girl in his class. The final narrative strand focuses on Danny, a white American teenager who is bedeviled by annual visits from his Chinese cousin Chin-Kee, who behaves in stereotypically boorish ways and alienates Danny from his peers. Yang ultimately conjoins the three strands in a way that highlights the complexities of ethnic identity—and Identity in general—that confront American youth, especially those who are visibly “other.” Yang’s skill in highlighting this issue in metaphorically powerful ways is quite effective and should lead to some difficult but important questions from both young adult and adult readers.