American Born Chinese

Yang, Gene Luen. American Born Chinese. 2006. New York, NY: Square Fish, 2010. Print. ISBN: 9780312384487 Pages: 240 Paperback US $8.99

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Awards!

Winner of the Michael L. Printz Award

National Book Award Finalist

Booklist Top Ten Graphic Novel for Youth

NPR Holiday Pick

Publishers Weekly Comics Week Best Comic of the Year

The Reuben Award for Best Comic Book

The Chinese American Librarians Association 2006/2007 Best Book Award

Eisner Awards 2007- Best Graphic Album- New

Time Magazine Top Ten Comic of the Year

Amazon.com Best Graphic Novel /Comic of the Year

Annotation: Beautiful, captivating illustrations, folklore, and humor bring to life three very different stories that merge to tell one complete tale about the Chinese-American experience.

The Graphic Format:

Three different stories are told in American Born Chinese. First, the story of the Monkey King; pulled from happiness by greed and brought to ruin by his own, unwise decisions. Next is the story of Jin Wang, the son of Chinese immigrants who is trying his best to fit in with his classmates. The final story is that of Danny, a teenager who is mortified and embarrassed when his out-of-control, Chinese cousin comes to visit every year. 

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All three stories are told through bright, entertaining illustrations. When the stories converge at the very end you’ll be shocked at how they tell the single story of one Chinese-American kid’s experience.

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Praise for American Born Chinese!

“Gene Luen Yang has created that rare article: a youthful tale with something new to say about American youth.”—New York Times Book Review

“. . . brilliantly written and designed, sophisticated and wise.”—The Miami Herald

“. . . one of the most powerful and entertaining works of literature to be published this year . . .”—The San Francisco Chronicle

“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.”—Publishers Weekly

“Kids fighting an uphill battle to convince parents and teachers of the literary merit of graphic novels will do well to share this title.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

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Arielle's Recommendation: Recommend this excellent graphic novel to the struggling reader, comic book fan, or adventurous type that enjoys a good plot twist. Best for grades 8 and up.

Riding Invisible

Alonzo, Sandra. Riding Invisible. New York, NY: Hyperion, 2010. Print. ISBN: 9781423118985 Pages: 234 Hardbound US $15.99

Image from amespubliclibrary.com

Awards!

None yet!

Riding Invisible
by Sandra Alonzo
illustrator: Nathan Huang

Annotation: In an effort to escape his violent, mentally-ill brother Yancy prepares to survive with only his horse and a few supplies in the desert surrounding Los Angeles.

The Graphic Format:

For his birthday Yancy’s parents gave him a journal

Image scanned from Riding Invisible

Eight months later, he’s finally putting it to use.

Image scanned from Riding Invisible

Yancy needs the journal to chronicle his journey into the deserts surrounding Los Angeles. Yancy’s escaping toward a better future, but, more importantly, he’s escaping away from him crazy, scary brother, Will.

Image scanned from Riding Invisible 

He and Shy, his beloved horse, ride off into the sunset but don't live happily ever after.

Through emotional, action-filled journal entries and sometimes-hilarious, sometimes-beautiful illustrations, Yancy’s story is powerful and memorable. It is the story of a normal kid’s journey from invisible to healing.

Image from Riding Invisible

Check out the trailer!

Video from youtube.com

Praise for Riding Invisible!

Alonzo’s first novel features the sort of likable, embattled narrator that brings to mind Arnold Spirit from Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (2007), but instead of being tormented by negative stereotypes and poverty, 15-year-old Yancy’s primary source of misery comes from his nearly sociopathic older brother, Will. The story is told entirely in diary form, complete with a handwriting-styled font and plenty of cartoony drawings (again reminiscent of Alexie’s book). After Will, who suffers from conduct disorder, violently threatens Yancy’s horse, teen and horse take off into the California desert. There, they encounter a kind Mexican worker, who helps Yancy begin to size up the challenges of living with his brother and the toll that it is taking upon the entire family. Alonzo skillfully handles teetering family dynamics, equestrian details, and the undertones of immigration and class, which add realistic depth. The resolution leaves a bevy of challenges and plenty of food for thought about family dysfunction. Grades 7-10. 

--Ian Chipman

I highly recommend Riding Invisible for all male and female readers 13 or older, and a must-read for teen (and adult) horse-lovers. ” --Mountain Write

Arielle's Recommendation: This is a fast-paced, involved story. Hand this book to struggling readers or someone looking for something different. Recommended for 6th-10th graders that enjoy adventure and horses.