BIBLIOGRAPHY Yang, Gene Luen. AMERICAN BORN CHINESE. By Lark Pien. New York: First Second, 2006.

ISBN 9781596431522 PLOT SUMMARY Three narratives are interwoven to tell the stories of characters along the same journey of selfacceptance. In the introductory story, the Monkey King is laughed at by other deities at a party because he is just a monkey. Out of anger and embarrassment the Monkey King leaves the party but not before physically beating all the party guests and leaving them in a huge pile of destruction. The second storyline is about a second generation Chinese boy named Jin Wang who moved into a new school from San Francisco. Before his family moved, Jins mother frequented an herbalist who asked him what he wanted to be. Jin said he wanted to be a Transformer, the 80s toy, she responded that he could be whatever he wanted to be if he was willing to forfeit his soul. While in school, Jin struggled to fit in with other children as they teased him simply because of their differences. One student stated, My momma says Chinese people eat dogs. Two months later, a new student from Taiwan, named Wei-Chen Sun, enrolls in Jins class. Jin reluctantly befriends Wei-Chen Sun as they discover that they both enjoy playing with Transformers. The third storyline is a type of sitcom-styled parody about a handsome, blonde, athletic teenager named Danny. Dannys reputation is destroyed every year from his cousin Chin-Kees annual school visits. Just like his name, Chin-Kees character is a bundle of stereotypical Chinese clichs from his appearance, actions, and manner of speech. The three storylines converge in the end to reveal overlapping characters. These characters have transformed from wanting to fit in to their surroundings, denying who they are themselves, to finally accepting who they are. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Jins character is relatable as a young boy entering a new school with trepidation. He is singled out immediately because he is different from most of the other students in his class. Many readers can identify with a time in which they felt isolated or even bullied. Within all three story lines the main characters suffered the same type of isolation. The plot of each storyline took the main character through phases of isolation, denying oneself, awareness, and finally acceptance. The use of three storylines with overlapping characters was a creative way of revealing that Danny, the blonde AllAmerican kid, was in fact Jin. Jin had become so ashamed of himself and his culture that he denied it all together and as was foretold, forfeited his soul. It was not until he lost his friendship with WeiChin that he realized he needed to change and accept who he was. The first storyline was a land in which gods and deities resided. The second storyline occurred in San Francisco most likely in the 80s, when the Transformers were popular, and into the 90s. The continuous theme of self-acceptance was evident. Friendship and blossoming romance were additional themes that were present. The authors use of three storylines kept the reader questioning and attentive. The authors humor definitely slanted toward humor from a young mans point of view but was relatable and engaging. The visuals and subtleties were also fun to explore. EXCERPT REVIEWS Winner of the Michael L. Printz Award

National Book Award finalist American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults, Top Ten List Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year Booklist Editors Choice Book San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year NPR Holiday Pick Publishers 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. Amazon.com Yang skillfully weaves these affecting, often humorous stories together to create a masterful commentary about race, identity, and self-acceptance that has earned him a spot as a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People. The artwork, rendered in a chromatically cool palette, is crisp and clear, with clean white space around center panels that sharply focuses the reader's attention in on Yang's achingly familiar characters. There isn't an adolescent alive who won't be able to relate to Jin's wish to be someone other than who he is, and his gradual realization that there is no better feeling than being comfortable in your own skin. CONNECTIONS Gather other Gene Luen Yang books BOXERS. ISBN 9781596433595 SAINTS. ISBN 9781596436893

Use in connection with a unit on cultural differences and acceptance. Use in connection with free-verse poetry on cultural differences. YES! WE ARE LATINOS. ISBN 9781580893831