It's a graphic novel. It is awesome. It has interweaving storylines all eventually about the struggles of a Chinese American high school student. Should he conform to the great white standard? Understand from the start - it's not a light topic, though the novel has its funny moments.
There are some sections that people find offensive - specifically the thread about cousin "Chin-Kee." But Mr. Yang intended to bring the stereotype right out into the open.
Yes, this is for a mature high school reader (not sex or violence wise - but in the ability to understand the overall message and the purpose of using stereotypes to fight stereotypes).
This book is on so many lists and won so many awards that I need to find a place to copy-paste...finalist for the National Book Award in young people's literature...Winner of the 2007 Michael L. Printz Award for young adult literature (first time a graphic novel has won)...etc., etc.
So get it for your high school or very mature middle school reader and make sure to discuss.
The only thing that was a little weird for me was the random Christian imagery. Monkey King as one of the Three Kings? What on Earth does that have to do with the rest of the story? It's all fine and well, but it was oddly out of place and sort of stuck in the middle of the Chinese Monkey King legend. I was like...what? But then I read that Gene Yang teaches at a Catholic high school...ah-ha! No biggie, and certainly not a deal-killer, but kind of a non sequitur.
By the way, I met Gene Yang at the library conference and he was totally nice. We got the chance to chat with him for quite awhile and he seemed very down to earth. He even sketched (and then inked) the Monkey King meditating in my copy of the book!
Enjoy!
1 comment:
Good words.
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