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dembury's review
2.0
2.75
Quite a few people I've spoken to about non-superhero graphic novels have recommended this to me, but this just didn't hit home with me like it has with other people. It was an interesting read that twines together three separate stories into one. The first story is based on a Chinese folktale; the second on a young Chinese-American schoolboy; and the last on an American teen whose cousin "Chin-kee" comes to visit from China. The weaving together of the stories was unique, but felt very absurd and almost childlike. I get the point Yang was trying to make but don't think the meshing of stories was overall successful. The story wrapped up very quickly and felt unfinished. The art style was solid although a little bland.
I think this could be a great read for some people, but probably not for everyone. I would still recommend this to certain people, especially if you're looking for some diverse authors or a unique little story!
Quite a few people I've spoken to about non-superhero graphic novels have recommended this to me, but this just didn't hit home with me like it has with other people. It was an interesting read that twines together three separate stories into one. The first story is based on a Chinese folktale; the second on a young Chinese-American schoolboy; and the last on an American teen whose cousin "Chin-kee" comes to visit from China. The weaving together of the stories was unique, but felt very absurd and almost childlike. I get the point Yang was trying to make but don't think the meshing of stories was overall successful. The story wrapped up very quickly and felt unfinished. The art style was solid although a little bland.
I think this could be a great read for some people, but probably not for everyone. I would still recommend this to certain people, especially if you're looking for some diverse authors or a unique little story!
amethystarchild's review
4.0
“American Born Chinese” is a graphic novel that was awarded the Printz award in 2007. It’s the story of a boy named Jin and some of his experiences growing up and having a crush while people isolate and mistreat him for his ethnicity. The scenes are also interspersed with stories about the monkey king from Chinese mythology. In the end Jin accepts his ethnicity and chooses not to let the society around him change who he is.
Content Warnings:
• Cruel stereotyping of Asian cultures
• Potty jokes
• Some minor violence, fist fight, and spear stabbing.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel, it was interesting and easy to read. I’m glad this book exists to address racism towards Asian cultures. Other ethnicities are given a lot of air time, but often Asian cultures and the stereotypes and prejudice that can exist isn’t addressed. Even if you take away the racial angle, it’s still a good story about being yourself, and not letting go of your heritage to fit in. I think the book really does deserve the Printz award it received.
Content Warnings:
• Cruel stereotyping of Asian cultures
• Potty jokes
• Some minor violence, fist fight, and spear stabbing.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel, it was interesting and easy to read. I’m glad this book exists to address racism towards Asian cultures. Other ethnicities are given a lot of air time, but often Asian cultures and the stereotypes and prejudice that can exist isn’t addressed. Even if you take away the racial angle, it’s still a good story about being yourself, and not letting go of your heritage to fit in. I think the book really does deserve the Printz award it received.
betseyboo's review
5.0
Selected as a Michael L. Printz award winner, this book for young adults is shocking, memorable, and worth reading. A book read for a course titled, "Trends in Children's and Young Adult Literature."
brendalovesbooks's review
4.0
I didn't read the synopsis for this before I read the book, and for that I was kind of glad. I was surprised at the end when the three stories came together. I had thought it was just jumping around to different stories, and it was, but I didn't have any clue that they would be related.
I didn't really expect to like this book very much. It seems like with graphic novels, unless there's superheroes or fantasy it's usually a miss for me, but I really enjoyed this one. There was something about it that was very engaging. The artwork wasn't great for me, but I think the story made up for it.
I would recommend this one to someone starting out reading graphic novels, or if you're already a graphic novel fan.re
I didn't really expect to like this book very much. It seems like with graphic novels, unless there's superheroes or fantasy it's usually a miss for me, but I really enjoyed this one. There was something about it that was very engaging. The artwork wasn't great for me, but I think the story made up for it.
I would recommend this one to someone starting out reading graphic novels, or if you're already a graphic novel fan.re
bimboliciousame's review
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
FIRE BOOK OMG THE STYLE REMINDS ME OF SAMURAI JACK AND ITS A SICK STORY THAT COMBINES THE REAL WORLD AND MYTHOLOGY. R U FRRRRR FIRE BOOK I RECOMMEND A MILLION TIMES OVER. i think its realistic for a lot of poc people (im white so dont quote me) but i have heard so. I am up for anything that’s an accurate representation of underrepresented communities. absolutely fantastic book.
joana_stormblessed's review against another edition
4.0
I read the Boxers & Saints series by Yang before, and they were so fun and different from anything I had ever read before, and this book kind of followed the same pattern. It has some elements of supernatural / gods in it, which makes it a lot of fun.
This story initially follows three characters, a monkey, Dani (a white boy who had an Asian cousin), and the main character whose name I just spaced on. The very main character was born in the USA, but his parents are both from China. He has a hard time fitting in with the children in his new school, until a new boy from Taiwan (or Thailand) comes and they become best friends. In the end all characters tie together and it is a "big" reveal...
I really enjoyed this graphic novel and I think that I would honestly try to get my hands on everything Yang publishes (even though I might just borrow them).
Very fun and worth the try!
This story initially follows three characters, a monkey, Dani (a white boy who had an Asian cousin), and the main character whose name I just spaced on. The very main character was born in the USA, but his parents are both from China. He has a hard time fitting in with the children in his new school, until a new boy from Taiwan (or Thailand) comes and they become best friends. In the end all characters tie together and it is a "big" reveal...
I really enjoyed this graphic novel and I think that I would honestly try to get my hands on everything Yang publishes (even though I might just borrow them).
Very fun and worth the try!
robbynjreeve's review
2.0
REQUIRED READING
This is the first graphic novel I've read, and I was curious to see what it would be like. I liked it more than I thought I would. Seemingly following three separate stories, the monkey king, Jin Wang, and Danny, these stories converge in the middle and the moral becomes clear: be yourself. Whether that be a monkey king, lower than the gods and not all-powerful, an American Born Chinese struggling to fit in a new school, or a monkey turned human searching to prove that their is good in humanity.
This is the first graphic novel I've read, and I was curious to see what it would be like. I liked it more than I thought I would. Seemingly following three separate stories, the monkey king, Jin Wang, and Danny, these stories converge in the middle and the moral becomes clear: be yourself. Whether that be a monkey king, lower than the gods and not all-powerful, an American Born Chinese struggling to fit in a new school, or a monkey turned human searching to prove that their is good in humanity.
sadnsapphic's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Gene Luen Yang, the man that you are.
I chose to re-read this book for the first time in five years because I thought it would be a fun companion task to watching the series that recently came out. And I will be the first to say that I truly could not have made a better choice. This graphic novel is just as powerful and poignant to me at eighteen as it was when I was thirteen. Asian American voices deserve to be heard and this book is a perfect example as to why.
I chose to re-read this book for the first time in five years because I thought it would be a fun companion task to watching the series that recently came out. And I will be the first to say that I truly could not have made a better choice. This graphic novel is just as powerful and poignant to me at eighteen as it was when I was thirteen. Asian American voices deserve to be heard and this book is a perfect example as to why.