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--------------------------------- Recipient of Peach’s Picks Award Top Ten Favorite Books Summer 2011 |
Illustrator: Gene Luen Yang (colored by Lark Pien)
Peach’s Picks Rating:
Year of publication: 2006
City of publication: New York
Publisher: First Second
ISBN: 978-1-59643-373-1
Author website: http://www.humblecomics.com/
Illustrator website: http://www.humblecomics.com/
Media used for illustrations: Simple/direct drawings with detailed backgrounds, muted colors, panel style comics, stereotypes of characters
Annotation: Three humorous and poignant stories tell the problems of Jin, who deals with racism; Danny, who is ashamed of his stereotypical Chinese cousin; and the Monkey King, a traditional Chinese folklore character.
Personal reaction to the book: Readers who page through the book and believe they are picking up a funny comic are in for a surprise. While the book is funny, even hilarious, it presents serious discussions about self-acceptance, racism, stereotyping, and bigotry. The three interwoven stories draw on popular culture as well as Chinese folklore to create the tales. The story is told in words and pictures, each complementing the other. The story can be read on the surface and then re-read to find clever references and devices such as Chin-Kee’s name. (Say it quickly; it is the ethnic slur “chinky”.) The book seems to be three short stories, but the author ties them together in an ending that will take most readers by surprise and leave them smiling and nodding their heads in delight and agreement. Even though the subject is racism targeting Chinese Americans, the feelings of not fitting into a group and being an outcast are universal. The artwork and layout are striking. The cartoon drawings are clear. The layout is not busy and crowded which can be the case with graphic novels. Each page includes from one to six panels. The panel sets are surrounded by white and are easy to follow. They are not crowded by too much text. The color is rich and helps focus the eye enabling the reader to easily move through the panels. The book is sure to capture the readers and attention and be recommended to friends.
General curricular connections:
- Health and Human Development Class / Discussion about racism
- Health and Human Development Class / Discussion about friendship
- Reading for pleasure / Graphic novels
Recommended grade levels:
School Library Journal recommends the book for grade 7- up
School Library Journal recommends the book for grade 7- up
Booklist recommends the book for grades 10-12
Peach’s Picks recommends the book for grades 9-12
Awards/Recognitions:
School Library Journal starred review
Michael L. Printz Award Winner 2007
Eisner Award Winner 2007 (Best Graphic Album-New)
National Book Award Nominee 2006
Notes: This book was selected from "The Top Ten Favorites List / Summer Session 2009", San Jose State University, School of Library and Information Science, LIBR 271A, Genres & Topics in Youth Literature, Professor Partington. This entry meets the assignment criteria to review graphic novels/fiction.
Onomatopoeia: Page 10; “Bonk!” when the Monkey King hits a monkey on the head
Onomatopoeia: Page 10; “Krak!” when the Monkey King punches the air
Onomatopoeia: Page 10; “Boom!” when the Monkey King kicks
Simile: Page 10; “fist-like-lightning”
Symbolism: Chin-Kee symbolizes the racist stereotype of a Chinese male
Book cover picture retrieved from: http://geneyang.com/american-born-chinese
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