American Born Chinese. Gene Luen Yang. 240 pp. Square Fish, 2008.

Kristen Castner, Secondary English Education, May 2018, 4/7/18.

Graphic novels are becoming increasingly popular. American Born Chinese, by Gene Luen Yang, is one graphic novel blazing a trail for graphic novels everywhere. A recipient of the 2007  Michael L. Printz Award, American Born Chinese tells of three seemingly separate stories that ultimately meet at the novel’s end. The novel shares its stories through comedic dialogues and beautiful images. Easy to read and extremely impressionable, American Born Chinese is a young adult novel for readers of all ages to enjoy and ponder.

The first tale the novel introduces is that of a Monkey king who strives to be equal to the other deities who appear human and commune on a “holy mountain.” The monkey king, although equal to the other deities, is rejected because of his animal state, and humiliated atop the holy mountain. Determined to prove the deities wrong and earn his position, he begins to fiercely train and master various disciplines, but becomes prideful and arrogant.

The second tale, and perhaps main tale, the novel introduces is that of Jin Wang, a child of Chinese immigrants who begins his life in San Francisco’s Chinatown. The novel reveals Wang’s trouble fitting in at school, making friends, and ultimately accepting his identity as an American-born Chinese individual. As Wang goes throughout middle and high school, the novel recounts his encounters with stereotypes, bullying, and his extreme desire to “be like everyone else.”

The third tale focuses on a caucasian-American named Danny, whose Chinese cousin comes to visit him in America. Danny is profusely embarrassed of his cousin Chin-kee, and tries to get rid of Chin-Kee. The ending of this tale, however, finalizes the endings of the other two tales.

American Born Chinese stands out among other graphic novels because of its impressive plot development; all three tales progress simultaneously through the course of the novel, and alternate chapters throughout the book. And finally, the ending of the book brings all three, seemingly unrelated tales together.

The ultimate theme of the book—embracing and celebrating one’s identity—stands as one of the foundational pillars for young adult literature. Those who take the time to read this graphic novel will not be disappointed for lack of entertainment, meaningful content, or thought-provoking presentations of realistic issues.