American Born Chinese (Reading Log)

 By: Gene Luen Yang

CMSW hardcover 233 pages

Published: 2006

Genre: YA graphic novel

Powerful graphic novel - I'm not sure my middle schoolers (average kids) will really "get" this. There are three separate story lines that come together at the end.

 

My reaction (9.23.2007):

 I like the way it had a strong message - be yourself - without being preachy. This was a worthy Printz award winner!

The Shadow Hero

by Gene Luen Yang, artwork by Sonny Liew
Hennepin County Library, paperback 152 pages plus extras
genre: YA graphic novel, superhero

What an intriguing book! I wish I had read it before TeenLitCon. Yang is a fascinating man and his work is stunning. A little bit of history (both about Chinese Americans and about the Golden Age of comic books), this is the story of four ancient spirits and the fall of imperial rule in China. More than that, it's the story of a boy named Hank who aspires to nothing more than to be a grocer like his father. His mother, however, wants him to become a superhero. This is a delightful story on many levels. I will definitely buy it for my collection. The extras include a full-color reproduction of the first issue of The Green Turtle, published by Blazing Comics in 1944.

Saints

by Gene Luan Yang
Hennepin County Library paperback 170 pages
genre: YA graphic novel, historical fiction

The yin to his previous novel's yang, this volume traces the perspective of the Christians (both white and converted Chinese) through the story of Four-girl. Her grandfather dislikes her (hence no actual name for her) and calls her a devil child. She becomes a Christian because they are the "foreign devils" everyone dislikes. The conflicts (personal and cultural) and her visions of Joan of Arc are interesting additions to this story. The two volumes (Boxers and Saints) work very well together. I'll buy both of these for my collection.

Boxers

by Gene Luan Yang
Hennepin County Library paperback 325 pages
genre: YA graphic novel, historical fiction

I liked this much, much better than his award-winning American Born Chinese. This book tells the story of the Boxer Rebellion in an intriguing, almost mystical manner. Little Bao is ready to join his older brothers in 1898 as trouble is breaking out, but they see him as a little kid. So many themes, story lines, and perspectives in the book. Very very well done - art and storytelling.