Module 5 - American Born Chinese

Summary
American Born Chinese is actually three tales in one. First is the story of the Monkey King and his quest to be accepted as a powerful celestial being.  The Monkey King faces many challenges on his quest, including being stuck under a mountain of rocks for centuries. Second is the story of Jin Wang, a Chinese-American who seeks to fit in with his American classmates. He gains and looses a best friend as a result of some of the poor choices that he makes.  Third is the tale of Danny, a white American boy who is ashamed of Chin-Kee, his Chinese cousin. Everytime Danny's cousin has come to stay with him, Danny changes schools because he is so ashamed of Chin-Kee.  As the stories of each are told, they slowly meld into one story.

Bibliography
Yang, G. L. (2006). American Born Chinese. New York, NY: First Second Books.

My Impression
While I enjoyed this book, it did not live up to my expectations. As an award-winning graphic novel, I expected to be blown away by it, but I was not. I found the story line to be rushed, as the end seemed to be too sudden.  I find that it did not contain as much depth as I had hoped. I went into reading it hoping that it would make a good piece to use in my classroom, but I did not think it so once I finished it. Perhaps, as an avid reader of manga and graphic novels, my expectations were skewed. I think that the story line would have been better served had it been split into two volumes. Then, I think that we could have learned more about Jin Wang, who seemed to be a fairly flat, one-dimensional character.  I did like the inclusion of the over the top, racially stereotyped character of Chin-Kee in that he provided a bit of comic relief as well as acting a character foil to the sterotypical all-American boy that "Danny" sought to be.  He was the represntation of how Danny was thought others would see him if he embraced his culture, and I found that interesting.

To Read or Not to Read:  If you have some spare time and enjoy graphic novels, pick this one up.  It is worth a read.

Professional Reviews
Library Journal
"A National Book Award finalist and ALA's Printz Award winner, this fable stars the mythological Monkey King, realistic youngster Jin Wang of Taiwanese parentage, and TV sitcom teen Danny. All three are dogged by an unwanted identity and humiliated by others' prejudice. The Monkey King trains to be a god but is unceremoniously bounced out of heaven and urged by "he who is" (the great god) to be what he is: a monkey. Jin tries to be accepted and romance a fellow student but gets picked on by classmates. Danny does well with friends until Chinese cousin Chin-Kee, a bitingly funny bundle of racist stereotypes, makes his annual visit and behaves so offensively that Danny must change schools. Finally, the three stories suddenly merge, to center on Jin coming to terms with his minority experience and moving beyond his own fear and hostility. Coalescence comes almost too quickly, but the trivision approach and treatment are unique and moving. The art is simple, colorful, and both attractive and effective. Some potty humor; recommended for teen and adult collections." - Martha Cornog
Cornog, M. (2007, October 15).  [Review of the book American born Chinese, by G. Yang].  Library Journal, 132(5), 54.  Retrieved from http://lj.libraryjournal.com.

Publishers Weekly

"As alienated kids go, Jin Wang is fairly run-of-the-mill: he eats lunch by himself in a corner of the schoolyard, gets picked on by bullies and jocks and develops a sweat-inducing crush on a pretty classmate. And, oh, yes, his parents are from Taiwan. This much-anticipated, affecting story about growing up different is more than just the story of a Chinese-American childhood; it's a fable for every kid born into a body and a life they wished they could escape. The fable is filtered through some very specific cultural icons: the much-beloved Monkey King, a figure familiar to Chinese kids the world over, and a bucktoothed amalgamation of racist stereotypes named Chin-Kee. Jin's hopes and humiliations might be mirrored in Chin-Kee's destructive glee or the Monkey King's struggle to come to terms with himself, but each character's expressions and actions are always perfectly familiar. True to its origin as a Web comic, this story's clear, concise lines and expert coloring are deceptively simple yet expressive. Even when Yang slips in an occasional Chinese ideogram or myth, the sentiments he's depicting need no translation. 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."

[Review of the book American born Chinese, by G. Yang]. (2006, June 12). Publishers Weekly, 253(24), 36-37. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/home/index.html.

Library Uses

• The library could host a small cultural fair and provide information about various enthicities that populate the city in which the library is located.
• The library could hose a graphic novel contest.  Patrons could create short graphic novels about a myth, legend or tale associated with their culture.

Image Retrieved from:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/american-born-chinese-gene-luen-yang/1100351546?ean=9780312384487

Module 5 - Ninth Ward

Summary

Ninth Ward is the story of Lanesha, her adopted parent, Mama Ya-Ya, and TaShon as they experience Hurrican Katrina and her aftermath in New Orleans. Lanesha is a young orphan, rejected by her uptown relatives, who posses the special ability to see and talk to ghosts. She lives with Mama Ya-Ya, the old midwife who birthed her. TaShon, another child birthed by Mama Ya-Ya, and Lanesha are brought together as friends by the discovery of Spot, a stray dog. Unlike many in her neighborhood, Lanesha and Mama Ya-Ya chose to remain at home instead of go to the Superdome to wait out Hurricane Katrina. After being seperated from his parents at the Superdome, TaShon makes his way to Lanesha's home. Together, they must use the skills and knowledge they posses to remain safe during the aftermath of Katrina and the flooding that devestates the Ninth Ward.

Bibliography

Rhodes, J. P. (2010). Ninth ward. New York, NY: Little, Brown Books.

My Impression

I enjoyed this book. I have had it on the shelf in my classroom and have had several students read it and enjoy it. I enjoyed the little touch of fantasy that was created by Lanesha's ability to see and talk to ghosts. I also really like the relationship between Mama Ya-Ya and Lanesha. Mama Ya-Ya was extremely supportive and loving woman who helped Lanesha find her inner strength. I also really enjoyed the fact that the book was told in first person. This really drew me into the story as it enabled me to experience Hurricane Katrina with Lanesha.

To Read or Not to Read:  I think that you should read this book.  It is magical and enjoyable.

Professional Reviews

School Library Journal
"Hurricane Katrina is whirling toward New Orleans in this touching novel (Little, Brown, 2010) by Jewell Parker Rhodes. Twelve-year-old Lanesha is a confident loner in her Ninth Ward neighborhood. Other kids tend to avoid her because she has the sight--she sees ghosts--and casually ignores them. Lanesha concentrates on her studies. She loves math, words, her teachers, and above all things, midwife Mama Ya-Ya who took her in when her mother died giving birth. Lanesha has snooty light-skinned uptown relatives, but they abandoned her to the loving care of Mama Ya-Ya. Lanesha watches in amazement as her beloved Ninth Ward prepares for the storm of the century. Fortitude, a vocabulary word Lanesha relishes, will be necessary to see her through the storm. After Mama Ya-Ya dies, Lanesha must be brave and save herself and her best friend when the water begins to rise. Sisi Aisha Johnson, a gifted narrator, brings richness and texture to each character and her performance emanates with the humor, warmth, and grace of this fine story. This 2011 Coretta Scott King Honor Book is not to be missed." - Tricia Melgaard
Melgaard, T.  (2011, March).  [Review of the book Ninth Ward, by J. Rhodes].  School Library Journal, 57(3), 77.  Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/.

Publishers Weekly
"With a mix of magical and gritty realism, Rhodes's (Voodoo Dreams) first novel for young readers imagines Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent flooding through the eyes of resourceful 12-year-old Lanesna. Lanesna lives with Mama Ya-Ya, an 82-year-old seer and midwife who delivered Lanesha and has cared for her since her teenage mother died in childbirth. Living in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, Lanesha is viewed as an unusual child (she was born with a caul and is able to see ghosts) and is ostracized at school. Lanesha finds strength in Mama Ya-Ya's constant love and axioms of affection and reassurance ("When the time's right… the universe shines down love"). The story becomes gripping as the waters rise and Lanesha, with help from a young neighbor and her mother's ghostly presence, finds a way to keep body and soul together. The spare but vivid prose, lilting dialogue, and skilled storytelling brings this tragedy to life; the powerful sense of community Rhodes evokes in the Ninth Ward prior to the storm makes the devastation and the hardships Lanesha endures all the more powerful. Ages 10-up."
[Review of the book Ninth Ward, by J. Rhodes].  (2010, August 2).  Publishers Weekly, 257(30), 46.  Retrieved from  http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/home/index.html.

Library Uses

• This would be an excellent book to use as a read aloud.
• The library could create an emergency preparedness display.  It could provide patrons with important information on preparing for and handling various emergencies, especially hurricane.  This display could be set up at the beginning of hurricane season.

Image retrieved from:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ninth-ward-jewell-parker-rhodes/1100163909?ean=9780316043083

The library could create a display and provide information and pamphlets about emergency preparedness, especially at the beginning of hurricane season.