Module 5/SLIS5420
American Born Chinese
By Gene
Luen Yang
Summary:
American
Born Chinese is a graphic novel by Gene Yang following the stories of three
characters struggling in their own way to find their identity in their own
social scene. The first story follows
the Monkey King, as from the Journey West Chinese folk tale, as he struggles
with being kicked out of heaven and tries to figure out who he is. The second story follows a Chinese American
Jin as he deals with his heritage but still desires to be a part of the typical
high school scene including maybe an American girlfriend. The last story tells about Danny, who all the sudden has to deal
with his Chinese cousin being in school with him, which to Danny is a total embarrassment. In each story weaves the same issues of
identity, cultural understanding, dealing with acceptance, and other such
issues all coming together in the end to face these difficult realities.
Citation:
Yang, G.
L., & Pien, L. (2006). American born Chinese. New York: First Second.
Beyond
and Between:
As a
graphic novel this book was amazing detailed, yet because of the three views
perspective the book moved quickly. In a
typical graphic novel, in my experience, the book moves along with action and
plot line usually covering on main character.
This gives the reader time to follow the plot line, absorb the graphics
and the little details that tell more of the story, and help the reader engage
with the book. However, with American
born Chinese the three main characters, along with the sub-plots move so
quickly that this book was a very quick read.
It became obvious that while this book is character drive, it is more
theme driven with the issues all the main characters are struggling with. If a reader is expecting to pick up this book
for a light read, then this may not be the graphic novel you are
expecting. The depths of this story is definitely
deeper in meaning the graphic novel format suggests.
Reviews:
School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up --It's tough to talk about today's most serious issues
(such as racial prejudice, self-acceptance, and spirituality) without appearing
sanctimonious or sappy. But graphic artist Gene Yang deftly sidesteps that
quicksand in this zippy, heartfelt tale of what it means to grow up Asian American.
American
Born Chinese. (2006). School Library Journal, 5266.
Library
Journal
A National Book Award finalist and ALA's Printz Award winner, this
fable stars the mythological Monkey King, realistic youngster Jin Wang of
Taiwanese parentage, and TV sitcom teen Danny. All three are dogged by an
unwanted identity and humiliated by others' prejudice. The Monkey King trains
to be a god but is unceremoniously bounced out of heaven and urged by "he
who is" (the great god) to be what he is: a monkey. Jin tries to be
accepted and romance a fellow student but gets picked on by classmates. Danny
does well with friends until Chinese cousin Chin-Kee, a bitingly funny bundle
of racist stereotypes, makes his annual visit and behaves so offensively that
Danny must change schools. Finally, the three stories suddenly merge, to center
on Jin coming to terms with his minority experience and moving beyond his own
fear and hostility. Coalescence comes almost too quickly, but the trivision
approach and treatment are unique and moving. The art is simple, colorful, and
both attractive and effective. Some potty humor; recommended for teen and adult
collections.
Cornog,
M. (2007). American Born Chinese. Library Journal, 132(5), 54..
Suggested
Uses:
This book
could be on a suggested book list for school counselors to suggest to their
students that maybe struggling with similar identity issues. The easy reading graphic novel format may be
more reader friendly to the students and it could be read with the counselor to
help spark conversations.
Module
5/SLIS5420
The
Tequila Worm
By Viola
Canales
Summary:
The
Tequila Worm is a story about an Mexican American highschool student names
Sofia. The story follows Sofia as she
walks in the traditions of her family all the while struggling with being a Mexican-American
in school. In the process she embraces her soccer skills and intelligence to
show that despite her background she is more than a ‘taco head’ as some girls
call her at school. In the process a
wonderful opportunity comes up for her to go to a private boarding school away
from her family and friends. The Tequila
Worm follows Sofia as she learns to embrace her Mexican American background and
the challenges before her.
Citation:
Canales,
V. (2005). The tequila worm. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.
Beyond
and Between:
From the
beginning as Viola Canales shares about Sofia’s history from a storytelling
family the reader is brought into the engaging vibrant life of this Mexican American
family. The story reads like a close and
personal dialog and storytelling story itself sharing the traditions of Sofia’s
family, such as the quinceanera, and brings in the personal touch with
struggles Sofia has at school. All
through the book you sense how Sofia’s family traditions also bring strength and
wisdom to help Sofia deal with her challenges at school. However, it is Sophia’s awareness of this
that grows and changes throughout the entire tale, as she learns to embrace who
she is.
Reviews:
Horn Book
Guide
(3) Family and storytelling have always been the two most important aspects
of Sofia's life. After a childhood in the barrio, chronicled here in
entertaining vignettes, she accepts a scholarship to a boarding school. She
leaves home and family behind but takes the stories with her. This engaging story
is humorous, vivid, and poignant. AMM
OLDER
FICTION. (2006, Spring). The Horn Book Guide to Children's and Young Adult
Books, 17, 88-102.
School
Library Journal
Gr 5-8-- Sofia, 14, lives in McAllen, TX. What she lacks in
material possessions, she makes up for in personality and intelligence. When
she is called a "taco head" by a student at her school, she decides
to "kick that girl" by getting better grades and being a better
soccer player than her tormentor. As a result of this determination, Sofia is
offered a scholarship to the elite Saint Luke's school in Austin. Now she must
convince her family and herself that she is up to the challenge. Canales
includes vivid descriptions of life in a Mexican-American community. Her prose
is engaging and easy to read, making this novel a good choice for reluctant
readers. The momentum slows a bit after Sofia's arrival in Austin in contrast
to the portion of the book set in McAllen. Still, the story is a good addition
to most collections.
Buron, M.,
Jones, T. E., Toth, L., Charnizon, M., Grabarek, D., & Raben, D. (2006).
The Tequila Worm. School Library Journal, 52(2), 128.
Suggested
Uses:
This book
covers so many things that I see much potential for its use in the library. My first thought is that a book talk with
this book and other similar minority focused books would be a good for a book talk,
especially within a diverse community as found in a lot of the Dallas School
system schools. Even if there is not a
dominate Mexican American population in the school/class the similar struggles of
Sofia can include different family/cultural dynamics which relates to all types
of children/youth.
No comments:
Post a Comment