American Born Chinese

Yang, Gene Luen. (2008). American Born Chinese. New York: Square Fish.


Paperback | $16.95 USD | ISBN-13: 978-0312384487 | 240 pages | YA Fiction, Age 12 & up

Jin Wang moved to a new school in the third grade.  His teacher introduced him as a new student from China, but Jin is from San Francisco. Sigh.There was an Asian girl in Jin’s class and the students all thought they must know each other. Sigh again. When another new student named Wei-Chen came to Jin’s school, the teacher again introduced him as though he was from China, although Wei-Chen is from Taiwan. A third, but not the final sigh. These three Asian students endure quite a bit. They have to deal with some cruel bullies at their school. This is just a snippet of the stereotypes that exist and are shared throughout this story.

The next character we meet is named Monkey King. He is the most powerful monkey on all of the earth. (In real life, he is Yang’s favorite fictional character and one that he read about throughout his childhood.) The problem is Monkey King doesn’t want to be a monkey – people laugh at him like he doesn’t belong. He is upset because he is a King after all and just wants to be considered an equal. He tries to change his appearance, become something he is not, and has to learn a few hard lessons along the way. The last character we meet is Chin-Kee. His poor cousin Danny who lives in America has to endure his yearly visits. I say endure because Gene Luen Yang writes Chin-Kee to represent the most outrageous of stereotypes that people have against Chinese people. Chin-Kee turns out to be someone you would least expect. Danny isn’t who you would expect either. Finally, Wei-Chen is someone else too! Jin learns some lessons and any reader should appreciate how difficult it is to be an American Born Chinese. 

This amazingly intertwined graphic novel does a great job connecting these three story lines. It is done in a symbolic way and you won’t find out until the end of the story. All of the characters in the story have trouble with their position in life – they all feel they want to change to belong or be accepted. The situations that each one found themselves in are stereotypical and show how much Americans judges other culture groups.

This book would be useful for every library that is seeking to break down the stereotypes and to appreciate others for their cultural differences and heritage.  The repetition of stereotypes is evident of the discrimination and stereotypes Asians who live in America experience. This book would be useful for all libraries whether or not they have diverse patrons because it is a story that reminds us all that many different types of people came to America and live in America. We need to be exposed to literature such as this so we can all learn to accept and appreciate cultures for their differences.

Author Gene Luen Yang won several awards for this graphic novel including the 2007 Michael L. Printz Award Winner, 2007 Eisner Award Winner - Best Graphic Album – New, and it also was the first graphic novel to be nominated for the National Book Award in 2006. He has been publishing comics since 1996 under the name Humble Comics. To learn more about Gene Luen Yang and his work, please visit his website at http://geneyang.com. 

Donovan's Big Day

Newman, Leslea. (2011). Donovan’s Big Day. Berkeley: Tricycle Press.  

Hardcover | $15.99 | ISBN-13: 978-1-58246-332-2.  | 32 pages. | Age 4-7 yrs.

This picture book intended for young readers, ages 4-7 years, goes through Donovan’s entire day and all the important things he must do on his parent’s wedding day.  Donovan begins by waking up in the morning and he gets out of bed before being yelled at because he realizes he must be well behaved and must be helpful too. He has to feed the dog and clean up after himself after breakfast. He has to wash up and also get dressed up in some fancy clothes.  These are all usual tasks and he has no problems doing them.  He has to keep special care of a small satin box on the inside of his jacket pocket. He has to behave in his Uncle’s car and sit between his cousins without causing any problems. He is very excited once he arrives at the ceremony and runs inside to see everyone.  He knows he must talk to all the grown ups and greet all the guests.  Finally, he walks down the aisle and quietly listens to the ceremony. He is the ring bearer at the wedding of his two moms.

Newman’s picture book treats this big wedding day like it was any other wedding day. While reading and going over the activities of Donovan’s Big Day, you do not get the feeling that it is any different to have two brides who are getting married. All the activities of the day are exactly the same. There is still a lot for Donovan to do and he knows how important his job is. The book teaches a young boy how to be a ring bearer. It is important for a kid at this young age to not feel different or judged. At this young age, kids do not need a book about how it is okay to have two moms that get married or how it is okay to have two dads in love. They need a book just like the rest of the kids – a book that simply tells a story while showing a family’s love. It was cute that it was Donovan’s job to “kiss the brides” at the end of the story. Donovan had a big role to play and he does exactly what he has to do. It didn’t matter who was getting married – it was only important that Donovan was there and that he has two parents who love him.

This juvenile picture book would be useful in any library or community with a lot of same-sex marriages or unions. This way the children in these families would be able to see how their families are the same as the other families. Ultimately, this book is about family and the love within. Donovan’s Big Day was nominated for the 2012 Rainbow Book List and that list can be accessed here: http://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/953.

Leslea Newman is the award-winning author for Mommy, Mama and Me and Heather has Two Mommies according to the front cover of Donovan’s Big Day. Newman has been earning awards for her writing for quite a long time.  She has won awards for her picture books, novels, as well as for several poems that she has published.  For more info about her publications & awards, please visit http://www.lesleakids.com/publications.html. For more information about Leslea Newman, please visit her official website at http://www.lesleakids.com/aboutleslea.html. 

The Junkyard Wonders

Polacco, Patricia. (2010). The Junkyard Wonders. 1^st Edition.  New York: Philomel Books.

Hardcover | $13.11 USD | ISBN-13: 978-0399250786 | 48 pages | 6-9 years           

Tricia wanted to stay with her Gramma and her dad in Michigan. Her mom and dad agreed, but only for a year. Her classmates were different but Tricia could not figure out how. Then Mrs. Peterson, the teacher, entered and read the definition of genius. She said everyone in that room was a genius. But then she referred to the class as “The Junkyard.” Tricia was upset to be in this class of misfits. She didn’t want to be labeled as “special.” Why did this keep happening? Other kids in her school made fun of the “Junkyard Class” and treated them differently. But at least Mrs. Peterson was engaging. Each student joined a “tribe.” The students would work together on projects throughout the year in their tribes. They even wore special badges on their shirts that said they were a member of the “Junkyard Wonders,” but kids on the playground made fun of them for this. Then their teacher took them to the junkyard.  Their teacher said to look at things for what they could be, not for what they were. 

The children in Tricia’s tribe found an airplane – sure it was cracked and broken apart but they wanted to fix it up. All the tribes were working on their creations all year.  There was going to be a fair to showcase the creations. Tricia’s tribe wanted their plane to fly from the school rooftop. They had a few bumps along the way, but they did install a motor and launched it from the roof. It flew straight up into the sky; the children were so proud of their accomplishment.

This inspiring true story about Polacco’s childhood is one that celebrates the differences and diversity of all children. It reminds the readers about the important value of the “special” kids in our schools and communities. They are not just throwaways; they are not just pieces of junk, but they are each individually wonders and actually “geniuses.” Her character illustrations of the smiling faces are spectacular. Polacco has created a teacher that is inspiriting and creative and one who can reach children with special needs. Children should be encouraged for their potential and the possibilities of things they can become – after all Polacco herself was one of these students who struggled in school and had a learning disability.  This book would best serve public and school libraries alike where young children can read and remember that each student and child is to be valued for their uniqueness and individual talents and skills. 

Telling stories runs in Patricia Polacco’s family. She didn’t start writing until she was 41 years old, but since then she has become an award winning author and illustrator. Polacco was born and raised in Michigan and after living for a few years in Florida her family moved to California. She did not have the best grades in school – she really struggled with reading and math. She lived in California for 37 years and during that time she decided to start writing down stories she heard as a child and of course she used her own creativity for her artwork. She returned to Michigan where she intends to open her home for writing seminars and story telling festivals to celebrate children’s literature. She does all of her own illustrations in her studio and to produce one book takes her about a year and a half.  For more about her work, please visit her official website at: http://www.patriciapolacco.com. 

Pink

Wilkinson, Lili. (2009). Pink. New York: HarperCollins Publisher.

Paperback | $16.99 USD | ISBN-13: 978-0061926549 | 320 pages | YA Fiction

Where does Ava fit in? Ava is brilliant, but doesn’t feel challenged at her school. The boys are immature and are constantly cursing at each other. She wears all black clothing every day and has dyed her hair black. Her girlfriend, Chloe, has perfect skin, always has a floppy paper book in her hand (or a cigarette,) and thinks school is a complete waste of time. Ava is the brightest in the class without even trying, but she wants a change. She is happy with Chloe as her girlfriend, though she is surprised Chloe picked her.  Ava really just wants to branch out on her own. She doesn’t want to feel like a nerd just for turning in her homework. She applies to Billy Hughes School for Academic Excellence and gets a full scholarship. Everyone seems perfect there. Chloe is not happy she left her. Things are about to change.

Ava’s parents are professors at the local uni and are glad that their daughter is not “normal.” They encourage her to be progressive and don’t mind that she is a lesbian. But they start to worry when Ava begins to change while attending Billy Hughes.  First, Ava dyed her hair back to its normal color and she started to wear “pink.” She believes her new school is the perfect place to “change” and try out more than a new wardrobe.  She wants to try out a new personality and maybe even a new sexual preference. She always thought she wanted a boyfriend.  Her new friends (nicknamed the Pastels) want her to try out for the school musical. She fails miserably but because they want to set her up with Ethan (a handsome lacrosse player who is in the play) she joins the Crew. Crew turns out to be full of freaks and her new friends worry that she is in this group. Ava tries to balance the demands of her new friends, while surviving in the Crew.  All this time, she still has a secret girlfriend in her old life back home. After a lot of time and effort, Ava becomes a contributing member of Crew to the musical. She even kisses Ethan at one of the Cast parties. She is confused about her own desires, and she begins to think she is smearing the lines of trust and betrayal with her new friends at her new school.  Then Chloe shows up at the school musical.

Ava is a teenager, so figuring out her wardrobe, her academics, her future plans and her sexuality is all part of the territory, but things really get complicated once all of these worlds collide. What will she decide? Will she come out? Will she hide behind her new appearance? What will her new friends or the Crew think of her being a lesbian? More importantly, will Ava learn to be comfortable with who she is? Ava’s story in Pink allows for teens to stand in her shoes and anyone reading the book can see that trying to figure out the answers to these questions that teens ask themselves is no easy task. This book would be useful for all school and public libraries looking to provide a diverse array of materials for young readers. Many teens struggle with the same thoughts that Ava does. We learn through her story that Ava had to experience life to really figure things out on her own.

Lili Wilkinson won several awards for Pink, including the Highly Commended Barbara Jefferis Award, Stonewall Award Honor Book, Amelia Bloomer Listee and Rainbow Room Listee. (http://liliwilkinson.com.au/books) An interesting fact about Australian author Lili Wilkinson is that her mother is Australian author Carole Wilkinson, best known for her work on The Dragon Keeper.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Cabin Fever (Book Six)

Kinney, Jeff. (2011). Diary of a Wimpy Kid Cabin Fever. New York: Amulet Books.

Hardcover | $13.95 USD | ISBN-13: 978-1419702235 | 224 pages | Juvenile Fiction, 8 & up

Poor Greg has a problem with the holidays around the corner. He can only behave about 6 or 7 days in a row, plus his mom put up a doll (Santa’s helper) to “watch Greg’s every move.” This creeps Greg out; he doesn’t like being watched. And it’s not like Greg only has problems at home. School can be troubling in class and on the playground. To make matters worse the school has removed the playground equipment and won’t let the kids bring in toys to school.

So, when there is nothing to do at recess, Greg does what most boys do – he plays video games at home. He adopts a virtual pet, which he keeps in all the latest “virtual” clothing. Greg is always asking for money for this pet, so his mom sent him outside to shovel snow in the biggest blizzard of the year. He offered to shovel his neighbor’s driveway for $5; it was snowing so hard it was like he had never shoveled in the first place. He tried to get rid of the snow using a lawn mower, and a sprinkler. This iced over the driveway and now Greg’s dad had to go get salt to de-ice the driveway. Now instead of Greg making $5, he was $20 in the hole. Greg was back at square one. He decides to ask his friend Rowley to help him run a Christmas fundraiser so they could make some cash to buy Christmas presents (and he was neglecting his virtual pet). The boys printed newspapers and hung up signs outside of the school. This backfired when the signs stained the school building. The principal wanted to know who was responsible for the vandalism. Authorities were notified and an “anonymous tip” from Greg’s friend Rowley put Greg in the hot seat. What happens next? A huge blizzard hits and Greg is trapped indoors with his family without heat or electricity. With an annoying younger brother, named Manny (who gets everything he wants) and an older brother Rodrick who picks on him, how will he survive the Christmas blizzard? How does he survive Cabin Fever?

Boys, between all ages, absolutely love these books. There is something to laugh about on every page. Greg is just an average kid; he has a plan even if it isn’t the brightest of plans. The predicaments Greg finds himself in are engaging and witty. Most boys have “been there” or can imagine it happening to them. The story is a mix of comics, which tell part of the story and Greg’s words. Greg will make you laugh and the “quotes” in this story are classic. While reading it is clear that someone (usually an authoritative figure) said what was in quotes, and Greg may not always understand it but he respects it. He finds a way to make it through his often self-created problems. It is no wonder why many of Jeff Kinney’s books in this series have become #1 bestsellers. The series has won plenty of Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards and three movies have been released so far.  For more about the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, please visit the official website at http://www.wimpykid.com/

The author of the series, Jeff Kinney, originally wanted to be a cartoonist. He came up with his first story about Greg in 1998. He worked on his 1^st book for almost 8 years before showing it to a publisher. He released the 1^st book in April 2007 and it became a New York Times bestseller.  Now the series has more than 85 million books in print around the world.  Book 8 should release in November, 2013. Kinney lives in Massachusetts with his wife and two sons. For more about Jeff Kinney, please visit: http://www.wimpykid.com/about-the-author/

Number the Stars

Lowry, Lois. (2011) Number the Stars.  HMH Books for Young Readers.  New Paperback Edition - ISBN: 978-0547577098.  Ages 9 and up. $5.71 from Amazon.com.

I remember first reading Number the Stars by Lois Lowry in fifth grade.  I was in Mrs. McIntyre’s class at Hale Road Elementary School.  I remember that we had to do several projects on this, including a book report and a poster.  This book had a great influence on me as a child  - perhaps, it was one of the first that taught me a love of historical fiction, and through this story a love of history itself.  I bet the projects that I did are somewhere in my parent’s basement in a box – they saved all of these types of things from my childhood.  This book by Lowry is one of her greats.  It won the Newbery Medal, and it will always be a childhood memory and story I love.    

The main character, Annemarie, is ten years old.  The year is 1943 and the location is Copenhagen, Denmark.  This is the story of how Annemarie and her family help their Jewish friends escape the Nazi soldiers.  Annemarie is too young to deal with such a difficult thing, but she handles this task well.  In the story, she begins as an innocent child, but due to the events unfolding she must mature quickly and show bravery and courage. 

Annemarie was a character that I admired the first time I read the story as a child.  This is one of the cornerstones of any great hero or heroine and it is important that when children read a book they can connect with the experiences of at least one of the characters in the story.  I was able to do that as a child.  I remember admiring Annemarie and wondering if I were brave enough to do what she did for her friend Ellen and her friend’s parents Mr. and Mrs. Rosen.  I wondered as a child if I would have been able to do what Annemarie did when faced with the moment of truth and a challenging situation requiring me to show bravery. 

I could relate to Annemarie from the beginning of the story when I found out she was a good athlete.  I know it might seem like a small detail to recall, but from the first scene when she is running home I could picture this event in my mind.  I had younger siblings and we would run home from school as well.  Since she was a good athlete and I played sports as a kid, this helped me make an instant connection.  The story begins with Annemarie racing her friend Ellen home with her younger sister Kirsti in pursuit.  Also, in pursuit of the three girls were two guards on the corner that stopped the children from running – the guards were on every street corner.  The author did an excellent job of painting the scene and giving background information on the situation.  Lowry is able to paint a picture of war in Denmark and soldiers on every street corner and while that may be hard for children to relate to what this might be like, the reader can understand the struggle of the girls.  The girls, though it wasn’t easy, had to figure out how to coexist in a world with guards on every street corner.  They learned how to walk without being noticed.  The children were afraid without being able to explain exactly why.  Still, the girls learned how to deal with the German occupation and how to survive during their walks to and from school.  This always made me feel thankful for my own freedom and while Annemarie’s younger sister Kirsti didn’t know another world, Annemarie did.  She has a lot of questions about why the soldiers are there, and as we continue reading we learn more about this. 

I should also mention that Number the Stars was the first story I read that taught me about WWII and the Nazis as a child.  I know I shared already that as a child, I was very interested in social studies and history.  The fact that this story had a real historical component to it was the main reason why I connected so well with the story. I’m pretty certain that due to this book and my fifth grade teacher who planted the seed through fun social studies projects, I developed a love for history and would even go on to major in history in college.  Also, there was a female hero – and as a girl who grew up in a house where my dad was always telling me “I’m strong willed, I’m a leader, I’m independent,” I connected with the protagonist, Annemarie and I admired her. 

I further connected with Annemarie when I learned that she was always curious about what the adults in the room were talking about, and the ways that the family was secretly a part of the Resistance.  Although only ten, she had more common sense than most at her age.  I guess I always felt that I could connect with adults, that I was helpful to others and so combined with the fact that I was a fan of learning about history too, this book was perfect for me.  Annemarie wanted to learn about what was going on with her father and with Peter.  He would visit and she sensed that things were happening that maybe although she didn’t know about them all in detail, she knew something was going on.  Peter was going to marry her older sister, but she passed away in an accident.   Annemarie caught on to things – she knew things were not right and she had to deal with this inner struggle throughout the book.  She acknowledged her fears and wondered if she would show bravery if her life depended on it.  This inner struggle continued throughout the book. 

Annemarie finds out about the closing of the Jewish shop that sells buttons – she learns that Ellen must come live with the Rosen’s and that her parents have to go into hiding.  Annemarie tries to convince herself that she is safe and will not have to be brave, despite the war going on around her.  She knows this isn’t true because of Ellen’s parents going into hiding – the war is now affecting her, her family and her friend.   The guards come to the house in the middle of the night and question why Ellen has dark hair while she and her younger sister Kirsti do not.  Annemarie is there to help Ellen hide her Jewish star necklace in the knick of time.  She protects Ellen and is there for her, as an older sister would be there for her younger sister.   She takes on this role throughout the story – Annemarie is growing in her ability to understand and to protect those she loves.  She is also learning that it is okay if she doesn’t know or understand everything that is going on with perfect details– sometimes that is for the better and for her own protection.   This comes up in the scene with the casket and at the “funeral” of her great aunt.  What she didn’t know at the time was that the casket was empty.  The casket was filled with blankets that those who were about to escape would need for the journey in the boat.  Annemarie did not know this until she had to know this, and she was able to understand why – a sign of maturity. 

What always fascinated me about the story was the courage Annemarie showed when she needed it most.  Lowry does a fantastic job with the scene in the woods and leading up to Annemarie’s journey to her uncle’s boat.  I was able to place myself in her shoes during this transformation of Annemarie’s character.  Before re-reading the story, I could vividly recall the scene when Annemarie is sent to take the packet to the boat.  Her mother is afraid that all of their efforts to help the Rosen’s were in vain because the packet was dropped.  Her mom tells her to take a lunch to her Uncle Henrik along with the packet, hidden underneath. Annemarie has to help get this packet there as soon as she can – and she does not even know what is inside.  If she is stopped, she is told to act like a silly girl.  This again explains the struggle that Annemarie has throughout the story – she is caught between two very different worlds.  The guards slow down Annemarie and when she is searched, they only find a handkerchief, which they believe is harmless.  I can remember my heart beating and line after line wondering if she would be all right or if she would be caught and also not knowing myself what was in the packet.  There was such suspense!  I reread this scene and it affected me the same way.  As an adult I now really like to read books about female stars.   I believe it was because of the foundation that was laid as a child reading a book like this one.  Mostly I believe it is because Annemarie was able to do the right thing to help a friend in a critical time of need.  She did so without hesitation outwardly, maybe even if inwardly she was scared. 

The students at my school had to read this as a summer reading project between sixth and seventh grade.  They each completed the Glencoe Literature Packet, which I listed in the references section.  The story certainly has an educational value as Lois Lowry does a great job of painting the picture of the situation Jews living in Denmark in 1943 faced.  I think the story allows for young readers to share experiences of other children that they otherwise would only read about in a history book.  Learning about the Holocaust does have educational value and when you can learn about it through a story line and see characters develop young readers can relate.  It is a smooth read with portions of suspense and mystery.  Most importantly Number the Stars allows readers to have an experience and appreciation of another culture and event in history.  The Afterword in the story gives the character’s meaning, since the events and actions of the characters are based on research that Lowry did and mirror the lives of real heroes and heroines of this time period in Denmark. 

Lowry uses many literacy devices while referencing many fairytales throughout the story.  Lowry uses fairytales to remind readers that Annemarie is still a child.  At the beginning, both Annemarie and Kirsti enjoy hearing fairytales, but these get old for Annemarie.  It reminds us that though Annemarie was growing up in a really difficult time, she was able to deal with the war and also she helped her sister get through it by telling fairytales.  Near the end of the story as Annemarie is making her journey to her uncle’s boat she is reminded of the fairytale Little Red Riding Hood.  This fairytale helps her survive in the woods, but by the end of the story, she realizes, not everything ends happily ever after.  She has to face the reality of her sister’s tragic death and she knows that life doesn’t exist like it does in a fairytale.

Considering children’s developmental needs, one major positive about this novel is that Lowry tells the story of the Holocaust through the lives of two friends, one who is Jewish and one who is not.  Lowry has written this story for children as young as third grade and I believe it is written in a way that will allow children who are young to learn about the Holocaust without nightmares.   When children read this story they are able to discuss the lives of those children and families who experienced the Holocaust – this story sends the message that through strong friendships we are able to help others in need.  Annemarie is a great friend to Ellen Rosen.  Her character develops though through the story – and Annemarie, though she isn’t told everything going on, she understands the importance in the things she can do to help.  I believe children today would still like to read this book because of its central themes surrounding bravery and friendship.  It is almost a mystery as well to younger children who are not completely aware of the Holocaust and all that it entailed.  Annemarie knew some things but knowing everything would have put her in a dangerous position – so I think in sticking with the theme that this book allows for readers to experience the dangers of the times but also they can feel protected and brave.  The use of the fairy tales throughout the story also would appeal to young readers.  They allow for hope of a better tomorrow. 

Lowry put together a powerful storyline, allowing young readers to connect with the events of the Holocaust while experiencing the struggles that Annemarie and her friend Ellen faced.  While we may never have to live through an event such as this, we can appreciate and better understand those who did through this piece of literature.  This is a highly recommended book for all elementary school children, grades 3 to 7. 

 References:

http://www.glencoe.com/sec/writerschoice/litlibrary/pdf/number_the_stars.pdf