Fiction/Fantasy/YA- AMERICAN BORN CHINESE by Gene Luen Yang

Bibliographic Data

American Born Chinese

By Gene Luen Yang

First Second ©2006

ISBN: 9781596431522

Brief Plot Summary

Three stories that initially have nothing to do with one another align as one. The main story is of Jin moving to a new school and facing issues as a Chinese American. Not only does he face racism, but problems with how he views himself. Another story is about the fabled Monkey King who wants to be an equal in the world of gods. To achieve equality he changes who he is to the point of peril. In the other story Danny is a Caucasian student whose cousin, Chin-Kee ruins his popularity with his offensive Asian stereotype hijinks.

Critical Analysis

Jin is of Chinese descent. He moves from San Francisco to a new city with less of an Asian population. Now as someone who is different the other kids pick on him and do not befriend him. This in turn makes him ashamed of himself. I think many teens relate to this scenario, especially if they are an ethnic minority, and particularly if they are Asian. Jin’s victimization 

also makes the reader feel for him. He is a cool person. It is just in this town he is different.

(Hurtful and hypocritical example of the racism Jin faced.)

As deep and emotional as this tale is it’s densely littered with humor. Not only is this Yang’s style, but also it makes the content relatable. This would be a good book for the reluctant reader.

(One of many clever and funny moments)

The plot is indeed an unlikely one, but its unpredictability is what makes it so engaging. It is absolutely creative, but ties in to real life experience. The three stories are a melding of genres, fable, fantasy, and realism, just as Jin is a melding of cultures. The story of the Monkey King does have many journeys and mission, which is typical of a fantasy story. Though Jin’s story seems realistic it follows a more fantasy style plot. We see him face many obstacles and “villains” and the conclusion is not of the real world.

(Transforming plot twists)

Much of the setting description is visual. This is, after all, a comic book. Colors convey the mood even if it is not clear where it is taking place.

Identity is the theme. Jin is an American. His parents are Chinese. People see him and think he is not an American. They also do not integrate him into their lives as they would perhaps a Caucasian student. As a victim of prejudice and racism Jin feels shame about who he is. He tries to look more like the other kids by changing his hair. He disassociates himself from Chinese culture and the other Asian students. In the story of the monkey king we see a similar storyline communicating the same theme. He is a deity of the monkeys and a monkey himself. When he tries to be with the other deities they shun him for being a monkey. He changes nearly beyond recognition to be like a deity until one day he is trapped for hundreds of years under rubble. The story of Danny features two characters that are supposed to be opposites on Jin’s spectrum, a Caucasian student and a stereotypically offensive Chinese cousin. At the end of that story the reader finds that it is symbolic of Jin’s internal judgments.

(Jin’s identity crisis)

Despite how short this book is it is dense. Gene Luen Yang’s style is subtle allowing him to do many things at once. For example he denotes Chinese being spoken by using angle brackets.

(Angle brackets indicating Chinese is spoken)

In Danny’s story the reader knows that there is an audience reacting because of the yellow text at the bottom of the panel. It is supposed to be like a sitcom with a live studio audience.

(Observe the yellow text)

In Jin’s story he has a moment where he is so nervous that his memory is like a dream. The art depicts this through a stylistic choice on the edge of the image.

(Notice the edges are fuzzy, just like how Jin feels)

Review Excerpt(s)

“Each of the characters is flawed but familiar, and, in a clever postmodern twist, all share a deep, unforeseen connection. Yang helps the humor shine by using his art to exaggerate or contradict the words, creating a synthesis that marks an accomplished graphic storyteller.” - Jesse Karp (Booklist, Sep. 1, 2006 (Vol. 103, No. 1))

“Yang's narrative builds to an unforgettable and dazzling series of revelations as the three storylines surprisingly converge in a book that is eye-opening and provocative, pushing the boundaries of comfort for readers as it exposes racism from its most subtle to most overt.” - CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices, 2007)

“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.” - Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)

Awards

Cybil Award, 2006 Winner Graphic Novels Ages 13 and Up United States

James Cook Book Award, 2007 Honorable Book United States

Michael L. Printz Award, 2007 Winner United States

National Book Award, 2006 Finalist Young People's Literature United States

Northern California Book Award, 2007 Finalist Children's Literature United States

Quill Awards, 2007 Nominee Young Adult/Teen United States

Connections

Use this book to start a discussion about stereotyping. Use the discussion guide on CBLDF’s website: http://cbldf.org/2013/07/using-graphic-novels-in-education-american-born-chinese/

Gene Yang’s blog: http://geneyang.com/genes-blog

Discussion questions from Multnomah County Library: https://multcolib.org/american-born-chinese

Fiction/Fantasy/YA- THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman

Bibliographic Data

The Graveyard Book

Author and Read by Neil Gaiman

Prince Frederick ©2008

ISBN: 9781436158848

Brief Plot Summary

A toddler narrowly escapes being murdered with the rest of his family and crawls to a nearby graveyard. In unprecedented fashion the ghosts of the graveyard take him in to protect him from the mysterious killer. The Owens’ act as his parents and Silas acts as his connection to the living world. The reader follows Nobody Owens as he exists between two worlds and grows to be an interesting and well-adjusted man.

Critical Analysis 

Gaiman’s protagonist, Nobody “Bod” Owens, is a human. He is a victim and an orphan. The reader wants him to triumph under his impossible circumstances. We are more drawn to him finding that he is kind, curious, and friendly. He wants to make friends. He enjoys being around humans, even if they are not talking. He protects numerous children from being bullied. At the same time Bod is calm and non-emotional. He is direct in his speech and deadpan in his delivery. In this way he is very much not like most children, but it is what makes him interesting. Often we see his approach works for him despite the danger.

Some aspects of this plot hardly make sense even in a fantasy world. For example how does Bod care for himself hygienically? Also, Bod is to remain in the protection of the graveyard or face certain death. The reader finds that the Jack’s were foretold that the boy would destroy them, essentially a self-fulfilling prophecy. Would Bod have eliminated this force if it never had sought him?

Typical of a fantasy novel we find Bod with many journeys. In fact The Graveyard Book reads like a collection of short stories. The subplots could stand alone. For example when Bod steals the broach from the tomb, he tries to sell it to obtain a headstone for the witch. That story was so grand on its own that the reader may have read just that. Many sources say the plot is essentially the Jungle Book in a graveyard. A human is taken in by others in an environment not suited for one.

More typical aspects of the fantasy novel readers will find are obstacles to overcome and villains to vanquish. Hurdles range from the seemingly simple, like Bod learning to fade, to the improbable, like Bod saving Scarlett. Bod also faces many villains, the superlative being the Jacks of all trades. Minor villains include the ghouls and the bullies, Mo and Nick.

The setting is particularly important to a fantasy story (Vardell). Gaiman reiterates that Bod has freedom of the graveyard. This freedom grants him not only safety and care, but special abilities. His powers and circumstances are the core of the plot. He learns to speak to people in their dreams and fade into his surroundings. In the conclusions of the book he loses his abilities. He cannot see in the dark as he once had.

Gaiman’s storyline and characters reflect multiple themes. The most significant theme is the value of life. Despite being surrounded by death in a non-fearful way, Bod learns that life has value. Through Bod’s obstacles the reader also appreciates how rationality triumphs over erratic emotions. Gaiman also shows the value of education. We see our protagonist eager to go to school, desire to read, and begging to go to the library. Gaiman also reveals value in experiences through learning. We learn by living.

Gaiman’s style is gloomy, witty, and creepy. The gloom comes through in descriptions of the setting. His voice is like a storyteller, using imperative language to make the reader visualize:

“Look. You could see the abandoned funeral chapel, iron doors padlocked… You could see stones and tombs… You would have seen these things, in the moonlight.”

Gaiman’s wit comes through in the dialogue and occurrences of the characters. Especially Bod is calm and clever. Even Liza Hempstock remarked Bod’s wit when he escaped from Abanazer Bolger. 

Review Excerpt(s)

“There is plenty of darkness, but the novel's ultimate message is strong and life affirming. Although marketed to the younger YA set, this is a rich story with broad appeal and is highly recommended for teens of all ages.” - Holly Koelling (Booklist, Sep. 15, 2008 (Vol. 105, No. 2))

“A dramatic climax will likely catch readers off guard, but it provides a satisfying conclusion to an exceptional story.” - CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices, 2009)

“A lavish middle-grade novel, Gaiman's first since Coraline, this gothic fantasy almost lives up to its extravagant advance billing.” - Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)

Awards

Booktrust Teenage Prize, 2009 Winner United Kingdom

Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, 2009 Honor Book Fiction and Poetry United States

Carnegie Medal, 2010 Winner United Kingdom

Cuffies: Children's Booksellers Choose Their Favorite (and not-so-favorite) Books of the 

Year, 2008 Honorable Mention Best Novel for Young Readers That Adults Would Love If They Knew About It United States

Cybil Award, 2008 Winner Fantasy and Science Fiction (Middle Grade) United States

Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award, 2009 Winner United States

Garden State Teen Book Award, 2011 Winner Fiction Grades 6-8 New Jersey

Indies Choice Book Award, 2009 Winner Best Indie Young Adult Buzz Book United States

John Newbery Medal, 2009 Winner United States

Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2010 Winner Grades 6-8 Kentucky

Locus Award, 2009 Winner Young Adult Book United States

Los Angeles Times Book Prize, 2008 Finalist Young Adult Literature United States

Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature, 2009 Finalist United States

School Library Journal's Battle of the Kids' Books, 2009 Nominee United States

Thumbs Up! Award, 2009 Honor Book Michigan United States

UKLA Children's Book Award, 2010 Winner 12-16 United Kingdom

Connections

HarperCollins Teaching Guide:

http://files.harpercollins.com/PDF/ReadingGuides/0061551899.pdf

As an extension activity have children create epitaph poems. Share the book Last Laughs: Animal Epitaphs by J. Patrick Lewis to provide ideas.

Many Fans of this book also enjoy the film The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Fiction/Fantasy/YA- THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green

Bibliographic Data

The Fault In Our Stars

By John Green

Dutton Books ©2012

ISBN: 9780525478812

Brief Plot Summary

A miracle drug has Hazel Grace barely hanging from certain death. Her cancer comes with baggage like depression and an oxygen tank. It doesn’t mean that she is not like any other young woman. She unexpectedly meets friends in her cancer support group that go through tragedies just as if not more heart wrenching than her own.

Critical Analysis

In realistic fiction the characters play a critical role in the story. Hazel Grace, Gus, and Isaac all have or had cancer. As teens they are not only coping with the disease, but are coming of age as well. By the conclusion of the book all three have changed emotionally. Especially in Hazel Grace’s case we see her transform from someone who is scared of hurting people and living life to someone who floats on the edge of “oblivion,” Gus’ fear he claims to have at the support group meeting, and just like the ending of An Imperial Affliction. Isaac also changes from someone who depends on love to get through life to a self-sufficient cynic that seems to have the most optimistic ending despite being completely blind. And sadly Gus, who starts as the most optimistic case, is a positive catalyst in both Hazel and Isaac’s lives, but dwindles down the sad path of illness.

What makes the characters pleasantly relatable is the voice of Hazel Grace. It is surprising to think that a male author can give such a convincing voice to a teen girl. Not only the protagonist, but the other characters too are believable especially in the dialogue. Moments from aching serious to the goofy jokes litter the book. It seems likely that kids in a cancer support group would playfully make fun of each other. Isaac is the butt of many jokes, “’Hey, Hazel, how’s it going?’ “Good. I’ve gotten really hot since you went blind.’” Even the uncouth language in this book makes it relatable. For example Hazel refers to discussion in the support group as a “circlejerk.”

The plot of realistic fiction must appear likely and be appealing by being fresh with unpredictable direction. It is a sad truth that young people suffer with cancer, but what makes this story fresh is that it humanizes the experience. These teens do what other teens do. They watch reality television, play video games, think about sex and drugs, and have to go to school. Readers are likely to speculate that if this happened to them would they be a Gus, a Hazel, or an Isaac. What makes this plot unpredictable are occurrences like Gus’ health and the positive changes in both Hazel and Isaac.

Another characteristic of the plot in a typical realistic fiction book is the inevitable conclusion. In this story we know that someone will die of cancer. It is ambiguous, but it seems like characters die of cancer after the conclusion of this book too.

Green’s book takes place in contemporary times in Indianapolis, but could easily be any suburban city. The characters and plot transcend the physicality of the city of Indianapolis. Hazel and Gus do travel to Amsterdam via the Make a Wish Foundation. Supposedly Green spent a period of time in Amsterdam to perfect this part of the story.

The Fault In Our Stars is dense with deep emotional themes. One theme is that the best moments are okay. Many times Hazel says, “The world is not a wish granting factory.” Despite the desperate time Hazel and Gus’ romance takes place it is the most beautiful thing in both of their lives. Which brings up another theme, love is a risk worth taking. Hazel believed that she was like a grenade and that anyone who loved her would be destroyed by her death. She denied herself meaningful relationships to protect people, but does it really do anyone a favor? One personally meaningful lesson in this story is the destruction of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Even though Hazel does not have her needs met she clearly needs acceptance, morality, creativity, and other top tier needs.

John Green’s books always have a candid and witty voice. His narration is honest and brutal. Readers will have many “I know that feeling” sort of moments. The part where Hazel and Gus have intercourse stands out because realistic things happen. Her shirt gets stuck on her tubes. Gus is embarrassed about his leg. It is a genuine story.

Gender quotient is even in this story. The main protagonist, Hazel, is female. She is strong, distant, and not a typical girly girl. Isaac is different from a typical boy particularly when he is pathetically in love with (ex) girlfriend. This story present the issues in a real way and actual ways people deal with these situations. People take medication, go the therapy, are angry, and lash out. We see culture in this book, but they are only markers. Yes, they play video games. Hazel is obsessed with America’s Next Top Model. They email and text. However the story transcends the cultural details with profundity.

Review Excerpt(s)

“Green is able to transcend such pitfalls in his best and most ambitious novel to date. Beautifully conceived and executed, this story artfully examines the largest possible considerations life, love, and death with sensitivity, intelligence, honesty, and integrity.” - Michael Cart (Booklist, Jan. 1, 2012 (Vol. 108, No. 9))

“Hazel and Gus's dialogue is witty and entertaining it's enjoyable spending time with them but also revealing of the issues they and their families are grappling with.” - CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices, 2013)

“Green seamlessly bridges the gap between the present and the existential, and readers will need more than one box of tissues to make it through Hazel and Gus' poignant journey.” - Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, January 15, 2012 (Vol. 80, No. 2))

Awards

Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, 2013 Shortlist United Kingdom

Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award, 2012-2013 Winner Young Adult Pennsylvania

Silver Inky, 2012 Winner Australia

West Australian Young Readers' Book Award (WAYRBA), 2013 Winner Older Readers Australia

Connections

One subplot of this book involves tracking down an author of the protagonist’s favorite book. Have students select their favorite book and create a visual using typography about the author. They can use databases such as Biography In Context or Something About the Author.

The movie is coming out in theaters in the summer of 2014.

Read the autobiography of the inspiration behind the story, This Star Won’t Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl.

Author, John Green’s website: http://johngreenbooks.com/

Have students create typography posters of their favorite quotes from the book.

Discussion questions via LitLovers: http://www.litlovers.com/reading-guides/15-young-adult-fiction/8711-fault-in-our-stars-green?start=3