American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (Genre: Graphic Novel and Fantasy)

A.    BIBLIOGRAPHY
Yang, Gene Luen. 2006. AMERICAN BORN CHINESE. Colored by Lark Pien. New York, N.Y: First Second Books. ISBN 1596431520.

B.    SUMMARY
American Born Chinese is a graphic novel that has three storylines. Initially, these three storylines appear disparate but they are all inter-linked and this connection becomes more apparent as the plots progress. In the first storyline, the Monkey King, a beloved character in Chinese mythology becomes incensed when he is ridiculed and humiliated at a Heavenly Dinner Event for not wearing shoes. The Monkey King proceeds to master the twelve disciplines of Kung Fu and becomes very powerful. He uses this new power to impress the other Chinese Gods of his strength and talents, until he meets the ultimate Creator, Tze-Yo-Tzuh.

In the second storyline, readers are introduced to Jin Wang, a first generation Asian American who despite being born and bred in the United States, finds himself feeling like an outcast at school. He can’t seem to fit in, and faces prejudice from some of his classmates. A few years later, Jin Wang is befriended by Wei-Chen Sun, a recent immigrant from Taiwan, and the pair bond over a common love of transformer robots. The pair become best friends, but this friendship is sorely tested when Jin Wang falls for Amelia, a Caucasian classmate, and tests Sun’s loyalty.

The third storyline revolves around Danny, an apparently all-American boy who seems to be quite well-adjusted until he is visited by his cousin from China, Chin-Kee. Chin-Kee is the stereotypical Chinese man who mispronounces words, behaves rudely, and generally embarrasses Danny at school, to the extent that Danny feels he needs to transfer schools again. At a certain point, the connection between all three seemingly separate stories becomes apparent, and the central theme of learning to accept one’s self is made clear. The graphic novel format makes all three stories easier to comprehend through the well-drawn visuals, colored by illustrator Lark Pien.

C.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The main characters of the Monkey King, the junior high student Jin Wang, and the conflicted adolescent Danny are all well-delineated though the story’s main focus is on Jin Wang. Adolescents will easily relate to the two teen characters as both boys go through the struggles common to most adolescents, i.e. trying to fit in, yearning to be accepted, and in Jin Wang, the reader is able to understand some of the emotional struggles that an Asian American teen feels. The character Chin-Kee, Danny’s cousin from China, is a heavily stereotyped character who embodies all that is unlikable. Chin-Kee is a caricature, and some readers might find him an objectionable character, whilst others might find him a fun character. It may have been the author’s intention to portray this character in such a manner, so as to make a point, and this becomes obvious towards the end of the novel.

The setting weaves back and forth between a fantasy world inhabited by the Monkey King and other deities, and a world based on present-day reality which is inhabited by Jin Wang and Danny. The graphic novel format, with the use of illustrations and color, enable the reader to visualize these three separate settings. The plot is creative, especially the one which centers on the Monkey King, though it does make the reader initially wonder at the relevance of this story arc to the other two plots.

The themes are credibly portrayed throughout the graphic novel. The primary theme of learning to accept one’s self is underscored throughout the three plots, and well-conveyed by the three main characters. It is only by accepting their given identities that these three characters are able to truly feel happy and content. The style of writing reinforces this with simple yet effective language. Given the graphic novel format, there is not a lot of text, but the combination of words and visuals enable readers to become engaged with the story, and makes this graphic novel a unique and interesting read which will especially resonate with a young adult audience.

D.    AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Michael L. Printz Award (2007)
Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album (2007)
National Book Awards Finalist (2006)

Publisher’s Weekly: “Even when Yang slips in an occasional Chinese ideogram or myth, the sentiments he's depicting need no translation. Yang accomplishes the remarkable feat of practicing what he preaches with this book: accept who you are and you'll already have reached out to others.”

Voya: “This graphic novel could be especially cathartic for teens and adults of Asian descent, but people of any ethnicity would find themselves reflected in the universal themes of self-acceptance, peer pressure, and racial tensions. This book is recommended for libraries serving teens and adults, particularly those enjoying graphic novels.”

School Library Journal: “Like Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye and Laurence Yep’s Dragonwings, this novel explores the impact of the American dream on those outside the dominant culture in a finely wrought story that is an effective combination of humor and drama.”

E.    CONNECTIONS
*This graphic novel which deals with themes of learning to accept one’s self, peer pressure, alienation, adolescent angst, and prejudice, can be used as part of a Language Arts lesson. Students can be encouraged to explore one of the themes portrayed in American Born Chinese in the form of a personal response. The personal response can take the form of an essay, a poem, or any other creative means of expression such as an artwork or even a musical composition.
*Young adults can be encouraged to explore other novels that deal with the immigrant experience and/or themes of alienation and wanting to fit in:
Banerjee, Anjali. 2006. MAYA RUNNING. Laurel Leaf. ISBN 0553494244.
Headley, Justina Chen. 2007. NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH (AND A FEW WHITE LIES). Little, Brown Books. ISBN 0316011312.
Hidier, Tanuja Desai. 2003. BORN CONFUSED. Scholastic. ISBN 0439510112.
Tan, Shaun. 2007. THE ARRIVAL. Arthur A. Levine. ISBN 0439895294.
Tomine, Adrian. 2009. SHORTCOMINGS. Drawn & Quarterly. ISBN 1897299753.

A Step from Heaven by An Na (Genre: Realistic Fiction)

A.    BIBLIOGRAPHY
An Na. 2002. A STEP FROM HEAVEN. Penguin. ISBN 0142500275.

B.    SUMMARY
A Step From Heaven is the story of a Korean family, told from the point of view of the female protagonist Young Ju, who at the age of four emigrates with her family from a tiny fishing village in Korea to Mi Gook, i.e. the United States. As a young child, Young Ju thinks Mi Gook is heaven, based on all the praises heaped upon it by her relatives. However, Young Ju and her family quickly come to realize that life in the United States is not easy as both of Young Ju’s parents are forced to take on menial jobs in order to support the family.

Young Ju’s mother, whom she addresses as Uhmma, is a quiet, hardworking, and devout Christian woman who is also a loyal wife. Young Ju’s father, Apa on the other hand, is an alcoholic who vents his frustrations by physically abusing his wife and children, i.e. Young Ju and her younger brother Joon Ho. Young Ju initially resents her younger brother, who is prized by his father for being a son, and feels ignored and saddened that her father has such a low opinion of women.

As Young Ju grows older, she excels in school whilst her parents toil away at low-paying jobs, handicapped by their inability to speak fluent English. She is torn by a desire to be more like her American friends, whilst being beholden to the Korean traditions which her parents strictly adhere to. Young Ju begins to feel embarrassed by her poverty, especially when she compares her circumstances with her best friend Amanda, a middle class Caucasian girl who has supportive and loving parents.

The abuse continues unabated over the years, with Young Ju’s mother Uhmma bearing the brunt of Apa’s alcoholic-fueled violence. It is only much later that Uhmma finds the courage to begin a new life with her two children, away from her husband. Young Ju matures into a self-possessed and confident young woman with a bright future ahead of her.

C.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS
As an example of realistic fiction, this debut novel strikes all the right chords. It is lyrical and poignant, and in Young Ju, the author has created a sensitive and thoughtful protagonist who is well-delineated. Many adolescents will relate to Young Ju’s need to find her ‘voice’ and become her own person. The novel is narrated from Young Ju's point of view and will resonate with adolescents who have emigrated to the United States and have experienced the process of acculturation (and in some cases, assimilation) that comes with emigration.

The themes of self-identity, acculturation, family, poverty, and domestic abuse are dominant throughout the novel and credibly portrayed. The themes elicit empathy for the main character, Young Ju as well as her mother and brother. These themes are credibly woven into the plot, and make the reader feel as if these are real issues and problems faced by real people, as they very well could be. These themes are also contemporary themes, given that there is a large population of migrants in the United States who experience many of the conflicts that Young Ju and her family experience throughout the course of the novel. This increases the credibility factor of the novel.

The main characters are credibly portrayed. Young Ju is portrayed as an intelligent and sensitive young woman who goes against the cultural stereotype of a submissive Asian girl. She is vocal when she feels that she has been misunderstood or unfairly treated, especially with regards to her father. Apa, the father character in this story is portrayed in a negative light, yet does not come across as a caricature. As the story progresses, the reader becomes aware that there are extenuating circumstances which have caused Apa to turn to alcohol as a means of drowning his frustrations and sorrow. I did feel that Uhmma was rather weak-willed, and for most of the story, appeared to embody the cultural stereotype of the weak-willed and subjugated Asian wife. For many years, Uhmma suffers physical and emotional abuse, and watches as her children get beaten by their father, and it was hard to sympathize with this character until she sort of redeems herself towards the end. Though the story has lots of Korean cultural references, these references enhance the storytelling and do not overwhelm the story.

The author’s writing style is quite simple, with easy, unadorned language that conveys the main characters’ experiences. Korean words and expressions are woven into the story in a manner that is not jarring, and do not detract from the reader’s engagement with the story. Due to the difficult life led by the characters, the mood is bleak for the most part, though this is offset by the brilliant portrayal of Young Ju, who is kind, gentle and ever hopeful of a better life. It is this sense of hope that shines through at the end.

D.    AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
National Book Award Finalist (2001)
ALA Printz Award (2002)
Children’s Book Award in YA Fiction –International Reading Association (2002)
Publisher’s Weekly: “In fluid, lyrical language, Na convincingly conveys the growing maturity of her perceptive narrator who initially (and seamlessly) laces her tale with Korean words, their meaning evident from the context. And by its conclusion, readers can see a strong, admirable young woman with a future full of hope."

E.    CONNECTIONS
*A Step From Heaven can be used as a launching pad for discussions on the immigrant experience, and young adults can be introduced to other books with a similar theme (read-alikes):
Alvarez, Julia. 2010. RETURN TO SENDER. Yearling. ISBN 0375851232.
Husain, Aliya. 2010. NEITHER THIS NOR THAT. Lulu. ISBN 0557223022.
Sheth, Kashmira. 2004. BLUE JASMINE. Hyperion. ISBN 0786818557.
Ryan, Pam Munoz. 2002. ESPERANZA RISING. Scholastic. ISBN 043912042X.
Kadohata, Cynthia. 2006. KIRA KIRA. Atheneum. ISBN 0689856407.
*Readers Theater on A Step From Heaven
*Creative expressions: Korean food is depicted in this book, such as kimchi, seawood soup, sticky rice, etc. Children can be encouraged to describe some of the traditional food of their respective cultures, and this can be further extended to cover traditions and rituals specific to their culture.
*Young adults who are interested about the author's background can check out this link:
http://www.anwriting.com/author.html

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (Genre: Fantasy) Audio Book Review

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gaiman, Neil. 2008. THE GRAVEYARD BOOK. Read by the author. New York: Harper Collins Audio. Audiobook (Unabridged), 7 compact discs; 7.5 hours. ISBN 0061551895.

B. SUMMARY
The Graveyard Book is a children’s fantasy novel written by Neil Gaiman, who is famous for his graphic novels, most notably the Sandman comics, as well as novels such as Coraline, Neverwhere, and American Gods. The story centers around a boy named Nobody Owens, who is the sole survivor of the massacre of his family at the hands of a sinister character named Jack. Nobody or Bod as he comes to be known, is adopted as a baby by the Owens, a pair of husband and wife ghosts, and is sheltered by the rest of the inhabitants of a graveyard close to his former home. Bod also has a guardian in the form of Silas, a tall man who straddles the world of the living and the dead.

Each chapter of the story sees Bod growing up from infancy to adolescence, and Bod learns skills that ordinary humans do not possess. One of these skills is Fading, where Bod is able to create the illusion that he is invisible, a trait which proves useful time and again as his relentless pursuer, Jack, continues to hunt him. As Bod grows older, he finds himself awkwardly trying to balance his life in the graveyard, amongst the dead, and also his yearning for a life outside the graveyard, amongst the living. Unfortunately, there are many in the world of the living who are intent on causing Bod harm, which keeps him a prisoner in the graveyard.

In spite of his circumstances, Bod does make friends among the living. Scarlett is a little girl he befriends at age five, and the pair get into some interesting adventures, including a creepy encounter with the Sleer, entities that date back to Druid times. When Scarlett moves away to Scotland, Bod is left pining for her, but she returns many years later, as Bod faces the greatest challenge in his young life, which might decide his future once and for all.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The analysis here will focus on the audiobook (I also read the book so as to make a comparison). It is an unabridged version, on seven discs, and runs a total of 7.5 hours. Interestingly, it is Gaiman himself that reads his own work, and delivers a compelling performance. In his reading, Gaiman is able to provide individual ‘voices’ to each of his characters so as to render them distinct in the listener’s mind. Being the author and the reader of his own work is to the advantage of the listener here as Gaiman reflects a deep understanding of the story and his characters. For example, one of the characters in the story is a girl named Scarlett who meets Bod when she is five, and then goes away to Scotland before returning ten years later. Gaiman actually reads her part with a hint of a Scottish brogue when she returns to Bod at fifteen which elevates the credibility factor of this audio production.

The sense of dread that runs through this story is credibly evoked through the nuances in Gaiman’s tone of voice. Certain scenes are memorable, especially the chapter where Bod gets kidnapped by ghouls and is taken into the underworld where the ghouls live. Gaiman’s reading evokes a high sense of tension and menace and leaves the reader in a state of eager anticipation as to what occurs next, and wondering if Bod makes it out in one piece.  The pivotal setting for this story is the graveyard, and in both Gaiman’s reading (and writing), the graveyard is not just a place of eternal rest for the long departed, but also a safe refuge and home for Bod, and a place of schooling where Bod learns his letters, reading, and also skills that prepare him to face his adversaries.

The theme is in essence a coming of age story which most adolescents will relate to. Bod is an endearing character because he is innocent yet is quickly schooled in the ways of the world, and finds himself having to grow up quite quickly given his special circumstances. Bod is also a character with much courage and sense of morality, and is a character that will inspire admiration and elicit empathy. His sense of alienation and feeling abandoned at certain points in the story will also strike a chord with many listeners/readers. This story not only holds appeal for children and young adults, but also adults since the theme of learning to let go is also portrayed here. The adults in Bod’s life, i.e. Mr. and Mrs. Owens, his guardian Silas, etc. all learn to let Bod go, knowing that his ultimate home is amongst the living.

The Graveyard Book is a blend of the supernatural and fantasy and is inhabited by not only ghosts and humans, but other supernatural creatures such as a werewolf, ancient entities, ghouls, a witch-ghost, and also alludes to the presence of a vampire. The story flows well despite the introduction of all these different entities, and makes this an engaging and interesting story.

D. AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPT (S)
Awards/Review Excerpt for the audiobook:
Audiobook of the Year, Audie Award (2009)
Audiofile Magazine: “Gaiman gives each specter a different—and wholly appropriate—voice, but he doesn't stop there. He even goes so far as to change a character's accent ever so slightly after she comes back from years and years abroad. Best of all, Gaiman performs a shift of character voice that is an absolute showstopper when he reveals the villain.”
Books for Ears (Audio Book Reviews): “Neil Gaiman reads his Newbery Medal winning book beautifully. His nod to Kipling’s The Jungle Book is just scary enough, intriguing, inventive, well-written, enchanting . . . it’s downright wonderful.”

Awards/Review Excerpts for the novel:
Locus Award, Best YA Novel (2008)
Hugo Award (2009)
Newbery Award (2009)
Novel winner of the 2010 Carnegie Medal
The New York Times: “The Graveyard Book, by turns exciting and witty, sinister and tender, shows Gaiman at the top of his form…The story's language and humor are sophisticated, but Gaiman respects his readers and trusts them to understand…In this novel of wonder, Neil Gaiman follows in the footsteps of long-ago storytellers, weaving a tale of unforgettable enchantment.”
The Washington Post: “The book's power lies in Gaiman's ability to bring to quirky life (pun intended) the graveyard's many denizens, including a protective vampire and a feisty medieval witch. Like a bite of dark Halloween chocolate, this novel proves rich, bittersweet and very satisfying.”
Publishers Weekly: “The author riffs on the Jungle Book, folklore, nursery rhymes and history; he tosses in werewolves and hints at vampires-and he makes these figures seem like metaphors for transitions in childhood and youth.”
Booklist: “This is an utterly captivating tale that is cleverly told through an entertaining cast of ghostly characters. There is plenty of darkness, but the novel’s ultimate message is strong and life affirming….this is a rich story with broad appeal. ”
Kirkus Reviews: “Childhood fears take solid shape in the nursery-rhyme-inspired villains, while heroism is its own, often bitter, reward.”
New York Times Book Review: “THE GRAVEYARD BOOK, by turns exciting and witty, sinister and tender, shows Gaiman at the top of his form. In this novel of wonder, Neil Gaiman follows in the footsteps of long-ago storytellers, weaving a tale of unforgettable enchantment.”

E. CONNECTIONS
*Some of the themes and even scenes in this story were inspired by themes found in the Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. Children and Young Adults can be encouraged to read the Jungle Book (which is considered a classic of children’s literature today) and compare and contrast the two works. This can also be used as a basis for discussion and encouraging young adults to voice their opinions regarding the themes covered in both works, and how they felt about the stories. This can be done in various formats such as a Socratic Seminar, debates, etc.
*Readers Theater will get children and young adults engaged in exploring this work in a more interactive manner.
*There are several works that can be suggested as further reading for Young Adults who love The Graveyard Book:
Gaiman, Neil. 2008. CORALINE. Harper Festival. ISBN 0061649691.
Gaiman, Neil. 2003. NEVERWHERE. Harper Perennial. ISBN 0060557812.
THE LAST APPRENTICE series by Joseph Delaney
THE YOUNG MERLIN TRILOGY by Jane Yolen
McNish, Cliff. 2009. BREATHE: A GHOST STORY. First Avenue Editions. ISBN 0761349626.
*Additional link on The Graveyard Book:
http://www.mousecircus.com/videotour.aspx