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