American Born Chinese is a very interesting graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang. The book works as three separate stories told alternately throughout the novel. All three stories come together in the last chapter when we find the characters are actually integrated with each other story. One story appears to be a Chinese legend of a monkey king who wanted to become a god, while the other two stories appear to be of a typical American teenager stories. The young adult stories are with male main characters and they include themes of racism among Asian children living in mainly white communities.
American Born Chinese is an intriguing book, because it weaves three stories that show parallels between Chinese legends and teenagers of today. All characters have a mix of desires, strengths, weaknesses and frailties which are shown in their relationships with friends, schoolmates, and the gods. American Born Chinese is interesting, because it seems to be directed toward male teens and it deals with some of their issues like dating, being bullied, anger, frustration and embarrassment. The illustrations are well done and paint extra food for young and old minds to digest while reading this excellent story.
Yang, G. L. (2006). American born Chinese. New York : First Second.
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