American Born Chinese

American Born Chinese
by Gene Luen Yeng
First Second, 2006. 240 pgs.
Young Adult: Graphic Novel
Hardcover: $19.95

Annotation: Yeng explores the complexity of identity with humor and wisdom.

Summary: Across the expanse of three separate plots, Yeng examines the nature of identity. First comes the intimidating Monkey King. Born of a rock he rules a mountian of monkeys, but when turned away from a party in Heaven, decides to transform himself in order to never be rejected again. Then we have Jin Wang, the only Chinese boy in his class until the Taiwanese Wei-Chen moves in. Not only bonded by the butt of racial snears, the two find they have a love of transformers and soon become fast friends. And finally we have Danny, whose horribly stereotypical cousin Chin-Kee arrives, making Danny's life miserable as he strives to navigate highschool with a family member whose embarrassing differences might make him an outcast.

Evaluation: A graphic novel is a type of comic book, usually with a lengthy and complex storyline similar to those of novels, and often aimed at mature audiences. (So says http://www.wikipedia.org/)

My previously uninformed perception was that graphic novels were a combination of the best in illustration with a mediocre plot thrown in to make them…something more than a children’s picture book. My bad. Super cool graphics?--Check. Simple plot?--Negative. American Born Chinese was the first graphic novel to be nominated for a National Book Award and the first graphic novel to win the American Library Association's Printz Award.

The adventures of the Monkey King, Jing Wang, Wei-Chin, and crazy cousin Chin-Kee are sure to capture your attention. The three separate plots of the novel explore the difficulties of being Chinese-American in a society where stereotypes abound. Being a teenager is hard in any country, and being ‘different’ can kill your social life--especially when your accent, appearance, and relatives differ so drastically from the ‘norm’. The temptation to give in to peer-pressure and blend with the cool crowd is nearly irresistible, especially when transforming yourself would make you more acceptable. Adhering to ancient cultural traditions seems unappealing when trying to navigate the hallways of high school, or rule a mountain of monkeys. And the question is…accept it or reject it? The novel is full of a “should I really be laughing at this?” style of humor that the Politically Correct Police would be sure to censor. Yet, Yang simultaneously draws a mesmerizing tale while teaching some extraordinary values. And when the intricate plot lines magically intertwine in the last pages, the beauty of the tale is overwhelming. Deep enough for a college thesis and light enough for a young teen, this graphic novel is a masterpiece of ingenuity.

Significance: American Born Chinese addresses the difficulty of being a minority--in any sense of the word--during the formative teen years. The novel offers superb discussion points on relevant young adult issues, such as: How do you navigate social and cultural differences and if you can transform yourself, is it advisable? Should you remain true to your traditional family values? How can you integrate successfully into a new society while still honoring your native culture? These and other cultural/social quandries make this book a great read for any teens struggling with difficult identity issues.

Personal Choice: I have a strong interest in Chinese culture and had never read a graphic novel, so with that combination of variables, I had to give this new genre a try and was utterly blown away by Yeng's genius in the process.

Awards: Great Graphic Novels for Teens, 2007 / Printz Winner, 2007 / ALA Best Book for Young Adults, Top Ten List / National Book Award Nominee, 2007 / San Franciso Chronicle Best Book of the Year / NPR Holiday Pick / amzon.com Best Graphic Novel/Comic of the Year / Publisher's Weekly Best Book of the Year, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year / Booklist Editors' Choice Book

Ernest Hemingway: A Writer's Life

Ernest Hemingway: A Writer's Life
by Catherine Reef
Clarion, 2009. 183 pgs.
Reading Level: Young Adult  / Older Children
Hardcover: $20.00

Annotation: Obsessed with war, bullfights and big game hunting, Hemingway's lifestyle fueled his writing.

Summary: Born at the turn of the twentieth century, Ernest Hemingway grew up in Oak Park, Illinois. Son of a doctor father and a stylish mother, he was raised in a religous, gentile environment. Growing up, his father was quick to teach him to love the outdoors and he learned to fish, boat and camp at an early age. Hemingway's affinity for the outdoor lifestyle was a prevailing trait throughout his life and he later traveled the world in search of new, exciting adventures on land and on sea. With a penchant for writing Hemingway found his first employement as a cub reporter, but soon left to join in the excitement of war, becoming a Red Cross ambulance driver in Italy. War suited Hemingway and he was to use his war experiences, then and later, as the basis of many award winning novels and short stories. He came to be known for a new kind of writing. His brief sentence structure, that tried to elluminate the essence of a thing while leaving much of the detail implied, was later dubbed "stream of consciousness". While he experienced both success and failure as a writer, he won the hearts of both the critics and the public and managed to garner a Pulitzer and a Nobel prize for literature. The writer was a blustery, creative type who thrived on the violence of the bullring in Spain, deep sea fishing in the Florida keys and big game hunting in Africa. He fell in and out of love with four different wives and had three children total. A hard drinker, Hemingway was prone to mood swings and tempermental outbursts, especially towards the end of his life. Living around the world in places like Paris, Spain, Key West, Cuba and Sun Valley, Idaho, Hemingway experienced life like few people and throughout his tempetuous career was obsessed with truth, courage and death.

Evaluation: Reef pens an interesting, clear biography of Hemingway's extraordinary life. The book is well researched, with just enough anecdote to make it a robust, lively portrait. All the pertinent details are included, from birth till death and the book is large, with large print and peppered with photographs that nicely augment the text. Not only does the life sketch include all of Hemingway's publications, but Reef manages to connect each of Hemingway's experiences to his writing, which allows the reader to understand the basis for Hemingway's work. The book serves a reading level that addresses either advanced children's readers or young adults, so the title has excellent crossover appeal. Ernest Hemingway: a Writer's Life is a solid exposition and I enjoyed getting to more about Hemingway's legendary personlity.

Significance: Hemingway won both a Pulitzer prize and the Nobel prize for literature for his short novel, "The Old Man and the Sea". A master of clean, spare writing--sometimes referred to as "stream of consciousness"--Hemingway's influence on modern literature was immense and a study of twentieth century writers must include this infamous personality.

Personal Choice: I have a fondness for Hemingway and was excited to learn more about his life. I loved "A Sun Also Rises", "A Moveable Feast", "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" and immensely enjoyed "In Love and War" - the story of Hemingway and his nurse friend, Kurowsky.

Awards: Golden Kite Honor Recipient, 2010 / YALSA: Excellence in Nonfiction Nominee, 2010