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American Born Chinese
by Gene Luen Yang |
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| Publishing Data |
 Published in 2006 |
| Winner of the Michael J. Printz Award |
| Finalist for a National Book Award; first graphic novel ever nominated in that category |
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| Preview |
| Three alternating stories--a retelling of the Chinese folk tale of the Monkey King, a coming-of-age story about a Chinese American boy, and a story about a white American's difficulties with his Chinese cousin--are connected in a surprising way. |
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| Background |
| The folk tale of The Monkey King was first told in The Journey to the West, a 4th century Chinese novel. However, he has evolved, according to Gene Luen Yang, into "a pop culture icon, something of a Chinese Mickey Mouse." Yang also notes that he has "replaced the story's Buddhist underpinnings with Christian ones. . . ." (First Second Creators-Gene Yang-Blog) |
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| Discussion Guide |
| How are each of the main characters--the Monkey King, Jin, and Danny--unhappy with the way they are? |
| Consider the theme of prejudice in all three of these stories. |
| What does the Monkey King do to transform himself? |
| What does Jin do to transform himself? |
| Why do the Monkey King and Jin attempt to transform themselves? |
| Why does Danny reject his cousin Chin-Kee? Does he have a legitimate complaint about his cousin's behavior? |
| How does the Monkey King eventually gain acceptance? |
| How does Jin eventually gain acceptance? |
| How does Chin-Kee fit the stereotype of Asian-Americans? |
| Do you find the portrayal of Chin-Kee offensive? Why is Chin-Kee portrayed so negatively? How does this portrayal contribute to the theme of the novel? |
| Describe the relationship between Jin Wang and Wei-Chen. Why does Wei lie for Jin? Why does Jin kiss Suzy Nakamura? |
| Do you find the ending of the novel confusing? Do you think Yang might have been trying too hard to bring all three stories together? |
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Novels
© 2005 Dr. Agatha Taormina
Last Revised:
April 4, 2011
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