American Born Chinese

By Gene Luen Yang.

Published in 2006 by First Second, New York.

The Printz award winners I have read have consistently been outstanding, and American Born Chinese is no exception. This graphic novel weaves together three seemingly disparate storylines (a young Chinese-American boy moves to a new school, a white teenager is visited by his crushingly dorky Chinese cousin, and a Monkey King struggles with his form). The stories come together in the end to form a complex, fantastical story, at the heart of which lies the truth that everyone must embrace their true self in order to find happiness. It's at times uncomfortable (which I think is the point) but also funny, true, and touching. A quick read, but one with remarkable depth.

7.5/10.
Ages 11+.