Sunday, December 20, 2020

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

 Award winner-Michael L. Printz Award 2007

Three plots-1. Jin Wang, the only Chinese-American student at his school who desparately wants to fit in

                   2.  The Monkey King-an old Chinese fable

                   3.  Danny, dreads his cousin Chin-Kee's visit each year.  After each visit, Danny has to transfer

                        schools because he is humilated by Chin-Kee's behavoir.

Mr. Yang deftly ties these three plots together.  A book about idenity and accepting who you were created to be.  It was interesting how the author included Psalm 139 in the storyline and a picture of Christ's birth.  Tze-Yo-Tzuh was depicted as the Christian God (but only the references I mention overlap with the Christian faith).  

Warning/points to discuss: a game he would play with his only friend when in elementary would require him to wear a bra on his head, swearing, guys staring at girls' breasts, by accident Jin Wang said "rake the breast", "American bosom", bullies, prejudice

-Borrowed from the library.



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