Although I'm not normally a big fan of graphic novels, I was enthralled with Gene Yang's amazing graphic novel, American Born Chinese, which I recently borrowed from my local library. The book, a finalist for the National Book Award-Young People's Literature category, and winner of the 2007 Michael L. Printz Award, encompasses three different narrative threads, all deftly woven together at the novel's conclusion: the story of the likeable Jin Wang, a Taiwanese immigrant struggling with issues of cultural identity, teenage angst, and girl problems; a mythic strand about the fabled Monkey King of Chinese legend, who, fueled by desire to earn the reverence due to a deity, seeks transcendence from his simian roots; and a surreal third strand about an all-American boy, Danny, who is haunted by a visiting relative, Cousin Chin-Kee, an Asian-stereotype incarnate. Suitable for young adults, this novel has style, substance, and heart, as well as an uplifting message about self-acceptance.
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