American Born Chinese

Yang, Gene Yuen. American Born Chinese. First Second, 2007. ISBN-13: 978-1-59643-373-1.

Plot
The graphic novel contains three stories. The first is of Jin Wang, a high school student who is the only Asian in his school and is struggling to fit in. Then, a new immigrant moves in and tries to make friends with the reluctant Jin. The second story tells the story of the Monkey King, a legend that is well known throughout Asia. Finally there is the story of Chin-Kee, a character who embodies the major stereotypes of Chinese people.

Critical Evaluation
This graphic novel has several twists in its plot that will surprise the reader. At first the three stories seem to be completely different and it can be confusing that the graphic novel goes to each story randomly, however in the end it does tie together and surprisingly make sense. There are some great parts that are funny, but it also contains very serious themes about race, culture, identity and coming of age. The art is also colorful and great with a unique style.

Reader's Annotation
American Born Chinese tells of Jin Wang, a student trying to fit in at high school. Then there is the story of the Monkey King, a well known Asian legend and Chin-Kee who is a stereotype of Chinese people. These three random stories talk about race, culture and identity.

About the Author
Gene Yuen Yang was already creating comic books in the fifth grade. He did receive the Xeric Grant in order to create his first comic book, Gordon Yamamoto and the King of the Geeks. He has also created several other graphic novels.

Currently Gene Yuen Yang lives in the Bay Area of California with his wife and children. He also teaches at a Roman Catholic High School.

Genre
Graphic Novel

Curriculum
Chinese American Fiction
Identity Fiction
Schools Fiction

Book Talking Ideas
What is the importance of Chin-Kee in the story? How does his stereotype traits make you feel?
Did the end surprise you? Did you think Jin learned anything?
Should you work to fit in or is it worth it to "be yourself"?

Reading Level/Interest Age
12+

Challenge Issues
The graphic novel contains language, stereotypes and racial slurs.

Challenge Answer
The graphic novel talks about racial and identity issues. The racial slurs and stereotypes may show real issues that Asian American teenagers may face.

Why Included in the collection
I appreciated the boldness of this graphic novel in being willing to show some real challenges Asian Americans may face.

Kampung Boy

Lat. Kampung Boy. First Second, 1979. ISBN-13: 978-1-59643-121-8

Plot
The reader follows the life of Mat, from birth to his adolescence while growing up in Kapang in the Kinta Valley in Perak, Malaysia. Although he and his family are living in a small village, there are endless things of amusement and joy for Mat and his family. From helping his Aunt Khatijah with processing rubber tree milk to getting into mischief with his friends, readers are able to enjoy seeing Mat try to make sense of the world and religion he is a part of.

Critical Evaluation
This graphic novel reads more like an autobiography of the author. The narration in the text tells how Mat felt about certain events or how confused he was at the time. Again, the book that Lat has created is filled with funny charming moments, and his unique style of art only brings more life and personality to his story.

Reader's Annotation
Mat is born into a humble family living in a small village called Kampung in Malaysia. Although his village is not big, life is full of adventure and challenges as Mat grows up and starts to make sense of the world around him.

About the Author
Lat is considered one of the most beloved cartoonists in Southeast Asia. He had his first works published when he was only thirteen. He has received numerous awards such as being bestowed with the honorific title of Datuk in 1994. He has also received the Special Jury Award from the Malaysian Press Institute.

Genre
Graphic Novel

Curriculum
Art
Historical Fiction
Muslim Life
Malaysian History

Book Talking Ideas
How does the responsibilities and entertainment of Mat's childhood differs from yours?
Are there any similarities between your life and Mat's?
Do you think that Mat had to grow up quickly? Or was he able to enjoy his childhood?

Reading Level/Interest Age
12+

Challenge Issues
nudity

Challenge Answer
None of the nudity shows any private parts of the characters. The nudity is culturally appropriate since most of the very young children in the village are nude and also the characters are nude while swimming. It is not sexual in nature.

Why Included in Selection
This graphic novel is impressive how emotionally complex it is while still being charmingly funny.

Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic in One Volume

Smith, Jeff. Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic in One Volume. Cartoon Books, 2004. ISBN-13: 978-1-888963-14-4

Plot
Fone Bone, along with his two cousins Phoney and Smiley are chased out of Boneville due to Phoney's last failed scam. The three end up losing contact while being lost in a strange valley where they run into Thorn, her Grandma Rose, strange hairy rat creatures, and silly towns people. Everything just seems a bit quirky when things start to get stranger and even dangerous. Thorn seems to be tied up in some sort of prophecy and it seems that the Bone cousins are too.

Critical Evaluation
It is a graphic novel that has everything, well developed characters, a complex plot, great art and laugh out loud moments. Readers will enjoy the honesty of the characters as well as the mystery of the fate of Thorn. This graphic novel is seriously dangerous to start, because readers will not be able to put it down.

Reader's Annotation
Fone Bone finds himself lost in a valley and runs into a beautiful Thorn. First he must find his cousins while trying to figure out why the rat creatures as well as darker characters seem to be after them.

About the Author
Jeff Smith was born and raised in Pennsylvania. He drew comic strips for the Ohio State's student newspaper for four years before he co-founded the Character Builders animation studio in 1986. He also launched his own company in 1991 called Cartoon Books which published his book Bone.

Smith's works have been translated into thirteen languages and has won numerous awards worldwide. When he is not working on graphic novels he is busy promoting art, comics and graphic novels.

Genre
Graphic Novel

Curriculum
Fiction
Fantasy

Book Talking Ideas
With the two outcast rat creatures, do you think that they are truly "bad guys"? Were there any true "bad guys" in the story?
Do you think Grandma Rose was correct in keeping information from Thorn?
What do you think of the contrast between the dramatic plot then huge humor breaks?

Reading Level/Interest Age
12+

Challenge Issues
Violence

Challenge Answer
The violence is from battles and war. There is not a lot of blood or gore.

Why Included in Selection
This is a personal favorite graphic novel. It is so funny and has a great story.

Town Boy

Lat. Town Boy. First Second, 1980. ISBN-13: 978-1-59643-331-1

Plot
Mat is a village boy from a poor family living in a small town in Malaysia. He soon makes a friend Frankie and soon the two are off on adventures and trouble. Soon the boys are adolescences going about life despite all the political and physical changes of the town around them. Soon the two boys now face if they can afford to go for their dream or if they must stay forever in town.

Critical Evaluation
This is a funny and poignant coming-of-age graphic novel. Not only are readers allowed a glance at the upbringing of boys in Malaysia, but also see the universal theme or people going through life and trying to accomplish their dream or accept what others expect of them. The art is unique and perfect for portraying the sometimes silly side in life.

Reader's Annotation
Mat is a poor village boy living in a town in Malaysia. It is when he meets Frankie, a spunky classmate do the two really start getting into trouble!

About the Author
Lat had his cartoons first published when he was just thirteen years old. He then went on to do political, gag, and social cartoons in addition to animation and commercials. His achievements in art earned him the prestigious Malaysian honorific title Datuk in 1994.

Genre
Graphic Novel

Curriculum Ties
Art
Culture
Coming-of-Age

Book Talking Ideas
What themes of growing up is in this graphic novel?
What kind of feelings come up in the tone of the art when Frankie and Mat say goodbye?
What similarities do you see in Mat's life with your own?


Reading Level/Interest Age
12 and up

Challenge Issues
None

Why Included in Selection
This graphic novel was so unique in art and story. It was also able to convey so much emotion in simple drawings.

Flight Volume 1

Kibuishi, Kazu. Flight Volume 1. Villard Books, 2004. ISBN 978-0-345-49636-2

Plot

Give twenty-one aspiring comic artists the common theme of "flight" and let them take that idea as far as they can. This book is the result of their work and collaboration. Each artist has a distinct style and take on the theme which makes for a diverse collection of ideas of flight. From the comedic dreams of a penguin hoping to feel that exhilaration of soaring through the air to the poignant story of spiritual emptiness and the underlying want of religion or some spiritual connection to keep them from "falling", this graphic novel is a unique with its varied art forms, stories, genres and stories.

Critical Evaluation

This work will keep its audience interested. There are many stories that vary from just being funny and adventurous to being deep and void of any dialogue. Each short story is filled with beautiful and sometimes abstract artwork. What makes this graphic novel special is its diversity. There are so many different kinds of stories and styles of storytelling. Audiences interested in art will also enjoy the different styles artists used such as, computer coloring, chirigami, pastel and watercolor.

Reader's Annotation

Twenty-one young and talented artists share their personal interpretation of "flight". Their artwork and stories express the how vast and unique the definitions of one word can be.

About the Author

Kazu Kibuishi is an illustrator as well as a writer for comics and films. He not only contributed to the artwork of Flight but was also the founder and recruited fellow artists for the creation of the comic.

Born in Tokyo, he later immigrated to the United States and attended the film program at the University of Santa Barbara. He now focuses on comic books creating Amulet: The StoneKeeper series as well as other projects. He currently resides with his wife in Pasadena California.

Genre

Graphic Novel

Curriculum Ties

Art

Abstract interpretations of themes

Book Talking Ideas

Which story did you feel best represented flight?

Did you feel you understood the story better with dialogue or without?

Reading Level/Interest Age

Teens

Challenge Issues

There is brief nudity in one story

Challenge Answer

The nudity included is not malicious or sexual in nature. It shows a aboriginal woman giving birth. It is not the focus of the comic and is appropriate to the cultural setting of the story.

Why Included in Selection

It is a teen graphic novel with varying art forms and stories.