American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

American Born Chinese review by Sarah Bartholomew 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Yang, Gene Luen. American Born Chinese. New York, NY: First Second Books, 2006.

ISBN 9781250811899

2. PLOT SUMMARY

American Born Chinese is a graphic novel that follows three stories. The first is about a monkey demigod, the second is about a Chinese-American boy, and the third follows a white teenager who is constantly embarrassed by his Chinese cousin. These seemingly unrelated stories surrounding various elements of Chinese culture become intertwined and connected by Yang. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Yang tackles racism, racial stereotypes, and personal acceptance in his graphic novel, American Born Chinese. The character Chin-Kee is drawn and written the same racial stereotype that can be found in several old Hollywood films: thick accent, buck teeth, extremely slanted eyes. As a modern-day reader, the character is extremely offensive and shockingly racist. This is with strong intent and the author tries to show the readers the extreme and subtle racism Asian-Americans all too often face. The reader is able to see the extreme racism in the depictions of Asian characters such as Chin-Kee as well as subtle racism such as Greg disapproving of Jin dating a white girl. Elements of Asian culture are sprinkled throughout the graphic novel allowing readers to learn more about the cultures. Chinese language characters are included in some of the speech bubbles. Unfortunately, there is no translation of these characters. An index at the back of the book informing readers what each character means would have been a wonderful way to teach readers some Chinese. It is a missed opportunity. Overall, this graphic novel adds a great representation of Asian-Americans that is often missing from bookshelves. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2007 MICHAEL L. PRINTZ AWARD 

2007 EISNER AWARD 

From The New York Times: “The art blends the clean lines of anime with a bold American palette. Yang is equally adept at depicting a high school cafeteria and the Monkey King's fantastical realm.”

From Publishers Weekly: “This much-anticipated, affecting story about growing up different is more than just the story of a Chinese-American childhood: it's a fable for every kid born into a body and a life they wished they could escape.”

From School Library Journal: “Yang's crisp line drawings, linear panel arrangement, and muted colors provide a strong visual complement to the textual narrative. Like Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye and Laurence Yep's Dragonwings, this novel explores the impact of the American dream on those outside the dominant culture in a finely wrought story that is an effective combination of humor and drama.”

5. CONNECTIONS

Gather other works by Gene Luen Yang

The Shadow Hero ISBN ‎9781596436978

Dragon Hoops ISBN ‎9781626720794

Gather other works featuring Asian protagonists

Yong, Jin. A Hero Born. ISBN 9781250220622

Zauner, Michelle. Crying in H Mart: A Memoir. ISBN 9780525657743

Rules by Cynthia Lord

 Rules review by Sarah Bartholomew 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lord, Cynthia. Rules. New York, NY: Scholastic Paperbacks, 2005.

ISBN 9780439443838

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Catherine’s younger brother, David, has autism, and Catherine takes it upon herself to create a list of rules to help her brother better understand what is and is not “socially acceptable” behavior. She is trying to balance helping her brother, fostering a friendship with a boy who is non-verbal, and just trying to fit in with other kids her age. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Cynthia Lord’s debut novel, Rules, allows the reader to see how 12-year-old Catherine is affected emotionally, socially, and physically by her younger brother’s autism. She takes on more responsibility than most girls her age in her attempt to help both her and her brother David fit into “normal” social standards. David attends weekly therapy sessions where Catherine meets Jason, a non-verbal boy. She uses her art skills to make picture cards that he uses to communicate with others. Catherine and Jason form a friendship, but Catherine is embarrassed for her other friends to meet Jason since he is different from them. Lord addresses the emotional struggle a lot of kids face who have siblings with special needs. Rules is an honest portrayal of how their siblings may influence their day-to-day life. This book features great diversity that is not seen in most mainstream literature. There is wonderful character development of Catherine. As she seeks out acceptance from others, she learns how to be more accepting of herself and others. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2006 NEWBERY HONOR

2007 SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD

2009 DOROTHY CANFIELD FISHER CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARD

From Kirkus Review: “Catherine is an appealing and believable character, acutely self-conscious and torn between her love for her brother and her resentment of his special needs. Middle-grade readers will recognize her longing for acceptance and be intrigued by this exploration of dealing with differences.”

From Publishers Weekly: "A rewarding that may well inspire readers to think about others' points of view.”

From School Library Journal: “Catherine is an endearing narrator who tells her story with both humor and heartbreak... A lovely, warm read, and a great discussion starter.”

5. CONNECTIONS

Gather other works by Cynthia Lord

Because of the Rabbit ISBN 9780545914260

Touch Blue ISBN 9780545035323

            Half a Chance ISBN ‎9780545035347

Gather other works featuring characters disabilities 

Draper, Sharon M. Out of My Mind. ISBN 9781416971719

Hunt, Lynda Mullaly. Fish in a Tree. ISBN 9780142426425

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars review by Sarah Bartholomew

 1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Green, John. The Fault in Our Stars. New York, NY: Dutton Books, 2012.

ISBN 9780525478812

2. PLOT SUMMARY

The Fault in Our Stars is a coming-of-age novel centering around two teenagers with different forms of cancer. They bond over their shared experiences while trying to navigate the ups and downs of adolescence and life as a cancer patient. A romance soon develops creating another element of normal life to add to their abnormal lives. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

John Green did a great job of making this book read as though it were written by a teenager. The characters and their dialogue feel very authentic and genuine. The Fault in Our Stars really shakes up the sub-genre of “cancer” books. Cancer is a large part of the plot. However, there are other, typical teenage trials the characters face and overcome. Hazel and Augustus add new depth to the idea of “star-crossed lovers” as their love for one another comes very naturally and does not feel forced at all. Even though cancer is not a trial all encounter, there is enough development of the characters outside of their illnesses that the reader can still find the characters relatable. This beautifully tragic story of young love compels readers to believe in true love. There is nothing outlandish that occurs resulting in heartbreak. Rather, the heartbreak is found in what is merely the reality of life as a terminal cancer patient for two teenagers. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From The New York Times: “You know, even as you begin the tale of their young romance, that the end will be 100 kinds of awful, not so much a vale as a brutal canyon of tears. . . . Green’s story of lovers who aren’t so much star-crossed as star-cursed leans on literature’s most durable assets: finely wrought language, beautifully drawn characters and a distinctive voice.”

From TIME Magazine: "Damn near genius . . . The Fault in Our Stars is a love story, one of the most genuine and moving ones in recent American fiction, but it’s also an existential tragedy of tremendous intelligence and courage and sadness.”

From People Magazine: “A story about two incandescent kids who will live a long time in the minds of the readers who come to know them.”

5. CONNECTIONS

Gather other works by John Green

Paper Towns ISBN 9780142414934

Looking for Alaska ISBN 9780142402511

Gather other works  about terminally ill teenagers/adolescents 

Lippincott, Rachael. Five Feet Apart. ISBN 9781534437333

Sparks, Nicolas. A Walk to Remember. ISBN ‎9781538764695

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

The War That Saved My Life review by Sarah Bartholomew

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. The War That Saved My Life. New York, NY: Penguin Group, 2015.

ISBN 9780803740815

2. PLOT SUMMARY

The War That Saved Me follows the Smith siblings, Ada and Jamie, as they are sent to the countryside during World War II. Susan Smith, no relation, takes the children in; showing them more love and compassion than their Mam ever did back in London. Ada and Jamie learn how to adapt to being in a positive home environment and to a country fighting in an international war. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This novel does a great job of supplementing the story with historical events and tidbits to enhance the reader’s understanding of the setting. Bradley makes the historical elements a large part of the story, without allowing them to be the only driving force in the storyline. There is the wonderful character development of each of the three main characters that feel natural and not forced to further the book. The ending did feel a little rushed without answering all the questions posed throughout the novel. Overall, it is an eye-opening piece of how people with disabilities and people with lower economic standing view life and are sometimes viewed by people as well. Difficult trials are placed in front of each character that pushes them to grow and step out of their comfort zone and each character comes out stronger in the end. The plot is filled with excitement as the reader is left chapter after chapter wondering where will this take Ada? It is a wonderfully written story of how people can overcome seemingly impossible trials. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2016 NEWBERY HONOR

From Kirkus Review: “Ada narrates, recalling events and dialogue in vivid detail… Ada’s voice is brisk and honest; her dawning realizations are made all the more poignant for their simplicity.”

From Publishers Weekly: "In this poignant story, Bradley celebrates Ada’s discovery of the world outside her dismal flat, movingly tracing her growing trust of strangers and her growing affection for Miss Smith. Proving that her courage and compassion carry far more power than her disability, Ada earns self-respect, emerges a hero, and learns the meaning of home.”

From School Library Journal: “We’re sympathetic to Ava from the start, but I don’t know that I started to really like her until she had to grapple with the enormity of Susan’s sharp-edged kindness. As an author, Bradley has the unenviable job of making a character like Ada realistic, suffering real post-traumatic stress in the midst of a war, and then in time realistically stronger.

5. CONNECTIONS

Gather other works by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

The War I Finally Won ISBN 9780147516817

The Lacemaker and the Princess ISBN 9781416985839

Gather other works set during WWII

Denenberg, Barry. Early Sunday Morning. ISBN 9780439328746

Dickson, Shirley.The Lost Children. ISBN ‎9781838881856

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

One Crazy Summer review by Sarah Bartholomew 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Williams-Garcia, Rita. One Crazy Summer. New York, NY: Harper Collins, 2010.

ISBN 9780060760885

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern travel from Brooklyn to Oakland, California to visit their mother who left them when Fern was just a baby. They have just one month to try to learn all they can about their mother that abandoned them. The year is 1968 and these young sisters see the fight for equality first hand when they join a summer camp sponsored by the Black Panthers. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

One Crazy Summer provides a unique viewpoint of the end of the Civil Rights Movement that took place in the 1960s. The story is told through the eyes of three young girls who grew up in Brooklyn, taught by their father and grandmother to keep a low profile so as not to draw increased attention to themselves because of the color of their skin. When they move to Oakland for a month, this viewpoint is challenged as the girls begin spending time around Freedom Fighters and the Black Panthers. Their way of life is turned upside down as their mother takes a backseat in parenting and, in multiple ways, neglects her daughters. Williams-Garcia creates a vivid setting that allows the reader to not only understand the physical layout of the story, but the political and social issues going on at this point in history. Each character reacts to the changes in their lives differently, and they develop in unique ways while still becoming closer as a family. A lot of events happen in the month span that the story takes place without the plot feeling forced or rushed. Williams-Garcia did a fantastic job creating a novel that addresses racial inequality, abandonment, and other tough topics in a kid-friendly way that will help readers to better understand the world around them. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2010 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST

2011 CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD

2011 NEWBERY MEDAL HONOR

2011 SCOTT O’DELL AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION 

From Kirkus Review: “Delphine is the pitch-perfect older sister, wise beyond her years, an expert at handling her siblings...while the girls are caught up in the difficulties of adults, their resilience is celebrated and energetically told with writing that snaps off the page.”

From Publishers Weekly: “Delphine’s growing awareness of injustice on a personal and universal level is smoothly woven into the story in poetic language that will stimulate and move readers.”

From School Library Journal: “Emotionally challenging and beautifully written, this book immerses readers in a time and place and raises difficult questions of cultural and ethnic identity and personal responsibility. With memorable characters (all three girls have engaging, strong voices) and a powerful story, this is a book well worth reading and rereading.”

5. CONNECTIONS

Gather other works by Rita Williams-Garcia

P.S. Be Eleven ISBN 9780061938641

Gone Crazy in Alabama ISBN 9780062215895

Gather other Civil Rights Era works featuring a black female protagonist 

Robinson, Sharon. Child of the Dream. ISBN 9781338282818

Patrick, Denise Lewis. Melody: No Ordinary Sound. ISBN 9781683371403

Storyteller by Patricia Reilly Giff

Storyteller review by Sarah Bartholomew 

 1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Giff, Patricia Reilly. Storyteller. New York, NY: Random House, 2010.

ISBN 9780525479017

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Storyteller follows Zee living in the 18th century and her descendant, Elizabeth, living in the 21st century. Elizabeth is sent to live with her aunt for a short time and is determined to learn everything she can about her ancestor, Zee. Despite living centuries apart, the girls have strong similarities. Elizabeth is able to learn more about herself by learning about Zee. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Giff aimed to connect Zee’s 18th-century world with Elizabeth’s 21st-century world in her novel Storyteller. Both stories take place in New York state, and Elizabeth is able to walk the path that Zee had centuries before. This allowed Zee’s story to become more real for Elizabeth and reminded the reader that those who came before us have incredible stories to be shared. There was a strong development of both girls as their stories progressed, and the reader was able to see both characters find inner strength in completely different ways. The transitions between the two stories throughout the novel were seamless and helped to progress both storylines. One element that was frustrating was the fact that Zee’s story was continually spoiled by Libby and Harry during the chapters taking place in the 21st century. This made Zee’s story slightly less intriguing and the reader was already told what would happen. All in all, Giff did a great job of showing readers how much of history is still left to be discovered. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

From Kirkus Review: “This is a lovely story about love and loss, a little-known aspect of Revolutionary history and the way the past informs the present, and the ending is gratifying.”

From Publishers Weekly: "Through thoughtfully crafted narratives that alternate between each heroine—Elizabeth's story is told in the third-person present tense, Zee's interior monologue is written in the past tense—Giff draws parallels between the two.”

From Historical Novel Society: “This is a fine addition to historical fiction about the American Revolution, particularly because Giff writes about battles that are less familiar to readers. Highly recommended for readers who like strong female protagonists and American history.”

5. CONNECTIONS

Gather other works by Patricia Reilly Giff 

Genevieve’s War ISBN ‎9780823441785

Island War ISBN 9780823439546

Gather other works set during the American Revolution 

McNamee, Libby Carter. Susanna’s Midnight Ride. ISBN 9781732220201

Tripp, Valerie. Meet Felicity. ISBN 9781562470043

Almost Astronauts by Tonya Lee Stone

Almost Astronauts review by Sarah Bartholomew

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Stone, Tonya Lee. Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2009.

ISBN 9780763636111

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Almost Astronauts documents the Women’s Rights Movement within Space Science and Aviation. It follows the fight women fought in order to be seen as candidates for advanced pilot jobs and space travel and addresses the prejudice and sexism they had to face since the end of World War II. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The design of this book is appealing as it uses large images and subheadings to break up the text within each chapter. The title is a bit misleading, as only a small section of the book discusses the 13 women who went through the primary testing for astronauts. Women’s Rights in aviation and space travel were the main focus of the text and the title should better reflect that topic. Stone did a great job of supporting the ideas and opinions on the matters with primary sources. The images included in Almost Astronauts really help to give the reader strong visuals of what was going on at the time; particularly regarding the training and testing that astronauts went through at the time. While reading about the progress The United States has made regarding gender equality was interesting, the reader is left wondering what exactly happened to the Mercury 13 women. There is minimal information and a quick snippet of closure to their story. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2010 ROBERT F. SIBERT MEDAL WINNER

From The Horn Book: “Stone presents the full story of early-sixties public discourse about women’s capabilities and clearly shows the personal, political, and physical risks taken by the women in pursuit of their dream.”

From Publishers Weekly: “Readers with an interest in history and in women's struggle for equality will undoubtedly be moved.”

From School Library Journal: “This passionately written account of a classic but little-known challenge to established gender prejudices also introduces readers to a select group of courageous, independent women.”

5. CONNECTIONS

Gather other works by Tanya Lee Stone

Courage Has No Color, The True Story of the Triple Nickles: America's First Black Paratroopers ISBN 9780763665487

Abraham Lincoln: A Photographic Story of a Life ISBN 9780756608347

            Girl Rising: Changing the World One Girl at a Time ISBN 9780553511499

Gather other stories about Jerrie Cobb

Nolen, Stephanie. Promised the Moon: The Untold Story of the First Women in the Space Race. ISBN 9781568583198

Cobb, Jerrie.Woman Into Space: the Jerrie Cobb Story. ISBN 9781258431037

Gather other stories about women’s fight for equality 

Cagle, Carrie. 20th Century American Women's History for Kids: The Major Events that Shaped the Past and Present. ISBN 9781648767593

Bazzit, Jenifer. 50 Fearless Women Who Made American History: An American History Book for Kids. ISBN 9781646111039

Skeers, Linda. Women Who Dared: 52 Stories of Fearless Daredevils, Adventurers, and Rebels. ISBN 9781492653271