American Born Chinese

Locations
Call Number: Adult Graphic Novel / Yang, Gene Luen, R Printz Award 2007, Adult Book / Comics & Graphic Novels / General / Yang, Gene Luen, Adult Book / Comics & Graphic Novels / General / Yang, Gene Luen.
On Shelf At: Downtown Library, Malletts Creek Branch, Pittsfield Branch, Westgate Branch

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 1st Floor 4-week checkout	Adult Graphic Novel / Yang, Gene Luen	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Downtown 1st Floor 4-week checkout	Adult Graphic Novel / Yang, Gene Luen	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Downtown Kids Reference 0-week checkout	R Printz Award 2007	0-week checkout	Library Use Only
Malletts Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Comics & Graphic Novels / General / Yang, Gene Luen	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Pittsfield Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Comics & Graphic Novels / General / Yang, Gene Luen	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Pittsfield Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Comics & Graphic Novels / General / Yang, Gene Luen	4-week checkout	Due 01-07-2025
Westgate Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Comics & Graphic Novels / General / Yang, Gene Luen	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Westgate Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Comics & Graphic Novels / General / Yang, Gene Luen.	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Traverwood Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Comics & Graphic Novels / General / Yang, Gene Luen	4-week checkout	Due 12-31-2024

Alternates three interrelated stories about the problems of young Chinese Americans trying to participate in the popular culture. Presented in comic book format.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Amazing Book submitted by RoseWhip4111 on June 20, 2011, 11:35am It's three stories in one book, with them all converging at the end.
It really does make you think about stuff.

Awesome submitted by gxl on July 14, 2012, 9:04pm This book was a bit confusing, but still very good. It is three stories then combined into one story a the end. If you think about it a bit you will understand the story. I totally recommend it! :)

Right on submitted by prlhw on August 28, 2012, 3:09pm This is a great book. Really. We need more books written about the struggles of children who grow up as a part of their schools' minorities, and how they are forced to balance their two cultures (the culture their ethnic background has decided for them and the American culture that they are being raised in) simultaneously as they are coming of age. I also really love the courage, strength, and determination Yang instills into young readers with the mythological stories told throughout novel. The layers of stories throughout the book can also be taken abstractly as metaphors for how Asian-Americans are forced to layer on multiple identities in today's world.

Lyrical Graphic Novel submitted by sdunav on June 26, 2013, 10:33am This graphic novel for YA or older teens is about growing up in the US as the child of Chinese immigrants. Racism, teen love, self-hatred, Transformers, Chinese mythology....all are rendered in wonderful illustrations. This won a bunch of YA awards a few years ago, and is still very good. I don't think younger kids would understand some parts about the self-loathing racism, so would recommend it for 12+.

me submitted by nicenora2371 on August 30, 2013, 10:30pm I have read this tims2

Helpful submitted by Whitetnchina on August 29, 2016, 4:57pm Been waiting for someone to write a book on this subject!

Wonderfully structured submitted by FordAlpha on July 18, 2018, 9:58pm Gene Luen Yang pulls off some amazing narrative feats in this graphic novel. The ways the three seemingly disparate storylines are interwoven, and their connection revealed at the end, are brilliantly executed. This book puts big, painful, complex issues into relatable and memorable form.

Amazing submitted by c_zhang on June 28, 2019, 12:14am I love how interconnected the three seemingly separate stories are. This book is brilliantly written and is relevant to our current society.

this is nice submitted by Kadydja13 on July 14, 2019, 4:38pm you get different perspectives

American Born Chinese submitted by Varshini on July 28, 2019, 11:10pm I really enjoyed this book because of the new perspective it gave me on immigrants' struggles.

Good book submitted by jasonc1177 on July 31, 2019, 7:56pm this book is great. Very interesting %

Not really a fan submitted by andreayun on May 8, 2021, 7:42pm My daughter is 7, so this book is definitely not intended for her age group. Maybe I'll like the book more when it seems to relate to her development better. The illustrations are beautiful. I know this book probably comes from real-life experiences, but there was something about the book that seemed to caricature the experiences of the Asian school kids. And I definitely didn't like how the Asian accent was portrayed in the 2nd story. It just took be back to all the American kids in school making fun of the Asian accent.

Interesting story submitted by Xris on July 31, 2021, 8:52pm It's interesting how you think it's telling three separate stories, but they are really all woven together near the end. I hope that my Chinese exchange daughter was never treated the way some of the characters were treated. It was a good read for me. :)

Great story submitted by downing on August 6, 2022, 4:20pm Everyone should read this.

The plot twists were PERFECTION! submitted by quynhssong on June 9, 2023, 5:08pm I love graphic novels, and this one was no exception. I could personally relate to this story, and all of the plot twists were exciting and very... unexpected. Overall, a super quick read and something that you should try!

Great! submitted by manz on June 15, 2023, 2:55pm I loved this book. Gene Yang is one of the greats.

Now a Disney+ series submitted by purchasingqueen on July 31, 2023, 11:04pm Read this graphic novel first. Then, check out the new TV series based on this book.

important concepts submitted by Q' on August 6, 2023, 1:48pm and fun art

A landmark work submitted by redwood on June 27, 2024, 12:07pm This graphic novel consists of three narratives that converge in a surreal way at the end. The more realist storyline follows Jin, a Chinese American middle schooler and one of the only Asian Americans at his school. He experiences a lot of classic racist moments, like being teased about his school lunch. Jin tries to fit in, especially after he starts crushing on a white girl. His one Chinese friend, Wei-Chen, makes him feel seen.

The other two storylines are more fantastical and exaggerated. One retells the story of the Monkey King, but as an allegory for assimilation and learning to be comfortable in one’s own skin. The last storyline draws upon classic sitcoms and racist films, depicting a white-presenting boy, Danny, who is repeatedly embarrassed by his visiting cousin Chin-Kee, a complete caricature of Chinese men.

The massive influence of this book is clear, even if it’s often uncomfortable to read (especially the Chin-Kee sections). I could also see people reading it and getting simple takeaways about Asian American masculinity (a tired topic, and not what I think Yang is doing, though it does read very “boy”-centered). The art draws from classic comic books and tropes—it’s so creative and engaging, and Lark Pien’s coloring is stunning.