American Born Chinese

Yang, G.L. (2008). American Born Chinese. New York, NY: Square Fish

Appropriate grade levels:

6-12. This book would be appropriate for some 6th graders, most middle schoolers and definitely high school students. The romance theme would be a bit much for some 6th and 7th graders but many kids could relate to a lot of the other themes in the book such as feeling outcast or wanting to be someone else.

Summary:

This book is actually three stories in one but the stories come together in a surprise ending. First, there is a monkey king who wants to go to a party but is told no monkeys allowed. Second, there is a boy Jin who is born in America but his parents are Chinese. He is treated as an immigrant and constantly feels like he does not fit in. He likes a white girl but is not confident she will like him back. Thirdly, there is a another boy, Danny, who is constantly embarrassed by his crazy cousin from China. Interestingly enough, Danny is white. Three stories intertwine in this fun, entertaining, heartfelt coming of age story.

Classroom Use:

- Use with Literature Circles or for independent reading

- Writing connection: students could create playing cards for the unique characters in this novel. For an example, click here.

- Writing connection: students could create their own comic strips about other issues students have in school or bullying troubles that students experience.

- Reading strategies: Making connections (especially with bullying issues, romance), making predictions (trying to figure out how all three stories connect)

- Literature analysis: study use of pictures and how they impact the novel. Look at subtleties in pictures and compare to subtleties in language make a point.

Reader’s Response: (spoiler alert! Do not read if you have not finished this book.)

This book is an amazing story. It proves that graphic novels are not easy, can promote higher level thinking, and certainly have a place in the high school classroom. I have had struggling readers who have had trouble reading this book. The reading level is not low but the pictures are motivating. I've found that resistant higher level readers (also known as non-readers- those who can read well but do not like it) LOVE this book. It challenges them intellectually and it's motivating.

The themes in this book are easy for teens to connect to, even if they are not of Asian decent. The theme of bullying is clear throughout this book. When a boy asks Jin not to ask out Amelia again and insinuates it is because of his race, that is bullying. This would be an interesting book to talk about how teens treat each other and what is appropriate. It would help kids talk about where the line falls between simply being mean and bullying someone.

This book has some interesting themes about accepting who you are. Jin was so embarrassed by his heritage he had a created a white version of himself, Danny. He was incredibly embarrassed by his "cousin" (the monkey king) who would visit each year. He even went so far as to try to change his hair and appearance to make himself seem more "white." Great discussions points about accepting who you are and liking all parts of yourself.

This book is a must read for all high school students and teachers!

Something Extra:

Check out my blog about using graphic novels in the classroom:

http://lupoknowswhattoread.blogspot.com/2011/07/graphic-novel-use-in-middle-and-high.html

Browse through the author Gene Luen Yang's website for more information. Don't miss the link to his information for educators about using graphic novels in the classroom.

The Hunger Games

Collins, S. (2008). Hunger Games. New York, NY: Scholastic Press

Appropriate grade levels:

8-12. The violent content of this book would deem it inappropriate for a student younger than eighth grade. Additionally, the independent reading level is an excellent match for students in grades 8 and above. The main character is sixteen and deals with teenage issues so this book is most appropriate in high school.

Summary:

The Hunger Games takes place in a fictional society called Panem in which the country is divided into twelve districts and run by a wealthy Capitol. To punish citizens each year for a previous civil war the Capitol created the Hunger Games, a yearly game in which two children are randomly selected to fight to the death in a stadium in the Capitol. The main character is an adventurous, tough sixteen year old who steps up to take her sister’s place in the Hunger Games. Katniss is a great hunter and immediately loved and favored by the public as a contender. Her rival from her district is Peeta, the baker’s son who has loved Katniss from afar for a long time. Katniss feels like she owes Peeta as he once gave her a piece of bread when her family was on the brink of starvation so Katniss makes it her goal to send Peeta back alive to repay her debt to him. Katniss has trouble returning his love because of her long-time close relationship with Gale, another boy from their district. Katniss’ desire to do the right thing and strong abilities in the arena make this novel a must read for any sci fi, fantasy, or adventure lover.

Classroom Use:

- Literature Circles, whole class read aloud, independent reading

- Writing Connections: analysis of societal parallels with our society, character analysis and how character traits impact a character’s actions in the text using glogster, podcast illustrating Katniss’ love triangle and what she should do, journal entries about love, parents, death, making difficult choices, being separated for loved one, injustice of poverty and wealth

- Reading strategies: making predictions, visualizing

- Literature analysis: connections and influences of the author including: The Vietnam War, Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”, Romeo and Juliet, Fahrenheit 451, other science fiction texts or dystopias.

Reader’s Response:

I loved this novel from the instant that I picked it up about 8 months ago. I immediately ran out and read the second and third novels, which were equally engaging. What I like best about the novel is how thought provoking it is. As a teacher, I would have no shortage of uses in the classroom for a novel like this that appeal to both boys and girls. This novel could be used to teach a wide variety of standards, literary features, deep level analysis, and reading strategies to a wide range of reading levels.

The shocking nature of the Capitol’s treatment of the children who will take part in the Hunger Games really grabbed my attention. The irony of Katniss’ prep group telling her after hours of work that she is “finally looking like a human” is horrifying as everything about the capitol takes the humanity out of people. Putting humans in a stadium to fight to the death is about the most inhumane thing that someone can do. Hollywood-izing the event is the icing on the dehumanization cake. Katniss and Peeta’s mentor, Haymitch, is a perfect example of what happens when someone is dehumanized and lives.

There are a special few who are unaffected by the Capitol’s magic, such as Cinna, Katniss’ fashion designer. The heroes in this novel all take on a similar quality of wanting to do right and seeing past the smoke and mirrors that the Capitol’s wealth and gluttony portray. Peeta is another hero in this novel because he is constantly laying down his life for Katniss, especially in the arena when he pretended to be part of the “career” tributes in order to save Katniss. Thresh, Rue’s district 11 counter-tribute, is another hero who dies a tragic death although not before showing his heroic side.

In a dystopia like this the antagonist is the government. As Katniss quotes Peeta’s words, “Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to… to show the Capitol they don’t own me. That I’m more than just a piece in their Games” (236). Katniss and Peeta find that way at the end, but is the cost worth it? If it means escaping a dystopia as destructive as the one they live in, then yes.