American Born Chinese

I know that graphic novels are a relatively new and popular genre for young adults. American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang is the first graphic novel that I have read. To be honest, I think it may be my last. Though an interesting and engaging story, I found the illustrations distracting. However, I would imagine that young students today might think differently.
I know that it all wrapped up in the end, but the disjointed stories were distracting. The monkey stories were especially confusing to me. I also didn’t care for some of the crude behaviors and violence that were portrayed.
The book would have merit if one was able to get through the form and understand the message. The ending was quite a surprise. It was clever how the different stories came together, imitating that in life no one person is an island onto themselves. We are all interconnected some way. Ultimately, the overall theme of staying true to oneself is threaded throughout.
I think the storyline that confused me the most was the one with the Chinese cousin Chin-Kee. For one, I couldn’t understand the family connection – then I thought perhaps that was the point; that families come in all shapes and sizes. I was also disturbed by the characterization of Chin-Kee. The outlandish stereotyping of the cartoon made me uncomfortable. But in the end wouldn’t it be great if people all felt uncomfortable when they stereotyped and made fun of others – perhaps then it would cease.
I’m glad the book ended the way it did by pulling all of the stories together. While I did not enjoy reading it from the beginning, it did make me think when I got to the ending. I would be concerned that students might get confused and give up, never making it to the end where the moral is unveiled. For American Born Chinese is a fable, teaching the reader the lesson of staying true to oneself. Perhaps if students told to look for the moral, they would successfully complete the story. While not my favorite genre, I can see how this book would have merit in a middle school classroom.

The Dear One and From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun

Jacqueline Woodson is a very thoughtful writer. Both The Dear One and From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun dealt with sensitive issues such as teen pregnancy, homosexuality and poverty. The stories that Woodson wove and the characters she created are real. So too are the struggles that the main characters fight. Eventually the conflicts are resolved. However, the reader is taken on a soulful ride as the characters journey to acceptance.
In The Dear One, there were many issues in which the characters struggled to accept. Afeni had to work towards accepting the disturbance to her home life that Rebecca’s presence caused. She had to work towards accepting the emptiness left by her grandmother’s death. She had to work towards accepting that her mother had her addiction under control. She had to work at accepting the new life her father created without her. She had to work at accepting new people into her life. I can understand why Afeni was so reluctant to accept change. In her short life she had to deal with her parents’ divorce, her mother’s early drinking and new found sobriety and her grandmother’s death. Any one of those things would be difficult for a child to deal with. I believe that Afeni dealt with them as successfully as a young girl could.
Rebecca too had to deal with acceptance. She had to accept the generosity of others, those who were virtual strangers. She had to accept Marion and Bernadette’s as individual people rather than as stereotypes. She also had to accept her mother for who she was. I marvel at the strength these characters possessed. For young girls they had to deal with emotionally heavy things. Adolescence is a difficult enough time for children in the best of circumstances.
The main character in From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun also had to deal with a highly emotional topic; that of his mother’s newly declared homosexuality. The reader struggles along with Melanin Sun as he navigates the waters of adolescence. We are privileged to have a look into the “notebooks” that Melanin Sun holds so dear. I enjoyed having the chapters alternate between the notebooks and the story line. After a rough summer of anger, confusion and hurt, Melanin finally comes to realize that it shouldn’t matter what others think. It only matters what you believe about yourself.
That is the very powerful message that comes forth from Jacqueline Woodson writings.

When Pigs Fly

When Pigs Fly by June Rae Wood was an enjoyable book about the life of an adolescent girl, Buddy. Like most young people, Buddy is trying to discover who she is and where she belongs. Typical of the age, she has a best friend to share her secrets with, she has a crush on a boy at school, she has a love/hate relationship with her older brother, and she does homework and chores. What is not typical is that Buddy’s younger sister has Down’s syndrome. Her sister’s safety is of the utmost priority to the family. Often Buddy has to stop what she is doing in order to find Reenie, who likes to wander off from the house. She is responsible for getting her sister ready in the morning and for taking to and from school. Buddy has to assume responsibilities that are more mature than the typical teenager. What I found beautiful was the total acceptance rather than resentment Buddy felt towards Reenie.
There were many times while reading this book that I related to Buddy. I have a cousin who is developmentally delayed. Though she is older than I, because of her disability, she interacted better with me than my older sisters. I, like Buddy, was often made responsible for cousin’s safety and entertainment. There were times in the book when other children laughed at Reenie who thought they were laughing with her. That same scenario happened many times while I was growing up. I remember a specific time when I had to bring my cousin to our pool club. Other kids were calling for my cousin to race them. She thought they were being nice but I knew they were doing it so they could laugh at the way she swam. Luckily, my cousin couldn’t understand the subtleties of their behavior and was insulated from the hurt. Unfortunately, I wasn’t. I learned early on that people can be cruel.
Even though not all children have experienced having a special needs relative, I think that those who read this book will find something in the story with which to relate. Aside from dealing of family dynamics, there are issues of divorce, job loss, abuse, poverty, low self esteem, budding romance, and having to move homes. When Pigs Fly is book filled with many themes to be explored. It was well written and had a plot that was easy to follow. Though not for my age of students, I could easily see it being used in a middle school literature class.

The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963

The Watsons Go To Birmingham – 1963, by Christopher Paul Curtis was a thoroughly enjoyable book. Yes, it was set during a very dark time in America’s history. But before the violence in Birmingham is revealed, the reader is first taken on a ride with very funny tales about a heartwarming family. Right from the start with the title of the opening chapter, And You Wonder Why We Get Called the Weird Watsons, the humor is present. I loved the way the author titled each chapter; each draws the reader in from the very beginning.
Somehow humor makes difficult issues easier to handle. This book dealt with issues of race, poverty, family dynamics, relationships and bullying through the stories told by the main character, Kenny Watson. Curtis created wonderful characters in the Watson family and together they presented a strong family unit. Dad worked hard to provide for his family and showed warmth from his family. Momma was a boisterous character, infused with southern charm. Byron, while a bit misguide (as teenagers often are), ultimately was a good big brother. Joey was an adorable little girl with a lot of spunk. But my favorite character was Kenny.
Kenny, a smart middle child with a lazy eye, was the most endearing to me. He was filled with vulnerability while at the same time showed strength of character. His relationship with his brother was interesting. Clearly there were signs of sibling rivalry. Byron could be down right mean at times. Yet, Kenny knew that when push came to shove, his brother would be there for him. This was most clearly demonstrated at the end of the book when Byron held Kenny as he finally cried over the events in Birmingham. Kenny was caring towards and protective of Joey. I laughed out loud when reading the scene when Kenny had to help Joey take off the many layers of winter clothes. Kenny showed he was a good friend too. He befriended Rufus when no one else did and felt truly remorseful after he hurt his friend’s feelings. Kenny showed character by admitting he made a mistake and by asking forgiveness. I think any reader would be able to identify with at least one character in this book.
I would recommend this book for use with early middle schoolers. I think the chapters are written in such a way that they read like a sitcom. Also, this book presents serious subjects in a gentle way. The dichotomy of life for African Americans living in the northern states versus the southern states is examined along with the racial tensions and atrocities in the south during the 1960’s. Overall though, for me, this book was about family. As mentioned earlier, I think every reader would be able to relate to some character to some part of the book. The Watsons Go To Birmingham – 1963 was a very pleasant read.

Children of the River

For someone who was born in the 1970’s, when this book took place, and who knew little of the Cambodians plight, Children of the River was a captivating book. Linda Crew’s story of Sundara, a teenaged Cambodian girl forced to flee her home country with her aunt and uncle was a well written tale of historical fiction. The story starts out happily enough with descriptions Sundara’s new baby cousin. However, the story quickly turns dark as the Khmer Rouge invade the village of Ream and Sundara’s family much evacuate with little more than their lives. Darker days come as the family falls ill on the boat and Sundara, at 13, is left to care for her newborn cousin. Sundara fights to keep the baby alive and as I read I too willed for her to survive. It’s not until chapters later that the reader discovers the baby died. The baby’s death could be symbolically viewed as the death of Sundara’s former life. Just as I hoped for the baby’s survival, I also hoped for Sundara’s happiness in America. Thankfully that wish came true.
Chapter 2, set several years later then the opening, finds Sundara in a high school in Oregon. The poem that she read in class touched me deeply. I think it neatly sums up the conflict she feels. As much as she struggles to find her place in this new world, Sundara cannot forget who she was and what she left behind when she lived in Cambodia. It is easy to imagine Jonathan being taken by Sundara after he hears her poem. The friendship and ensuing romance that blossoms are encouraging signs that Sundara will find her place in this new world.
Often times the immigrant experience is one where the person willingly leaves their homeland to find “the American Dream”. Children of the River provides students with the experience of a political refugee – a vastly different set of circumstances yet similar in issues of assimilation. This book highlights a time in American history that is often skimmed through in history classes. I think it would engage young and older readers alike. It certainly engaged me. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It made me want to find out more about Cambodia, “boat people”, the Thai refugee camps and the Khmer Rouge. I’m not sure I would have done so if not for this book. Children of the River is a text that could be used in many ways; to teach about the conflicts of South East Asia, the struggle of assimilation of refugees and immigrants or a coming of age story. I think that all students (and adults) could find something to relate to with this story. I would highly recommend this book.

Under the Persimmon Tree

Under the Persimmon Tree by Suzanne Fisher Staples is a beautifully written story about the survival of the human spirit. It’s told from the alternating points of view of two characters whose lives are irrevocably changed due to the war in Afghanistan. As the book unfolds, the reader is quickly drawn into the lives of the female main characters. Though one is a young Afghani girl and the other an American transplanted in Pakistan, the feelings of longing, fear, despair and ultimately hope are shared by both.

I think the fact that this book takes place within a month after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 is significant for a contemporary American audience. For days and weeks and months following that infamous day, I watch countless hours of new reports about what had happened to Americans. Far from my mind was what was happening in the Middle East. As far as I can remember, I cannot recall having heard of the Taliban prior to 9-11. Under the Persimmon Tree educates the reader about what lives were like in Afghanistan both before and after the Americans were attacked.

I also think that Suzanne Fisher Staples does a beautiful job of depicting the Muslim faith. Far too often the only image portrayed of Muslims is the crazed extremist. I often thought that if I were Muslim, I would be very angry at the terrorists for using my religion to support their war. Through her studies, Elaine (Nusrat) comes to see that “moderation, peace and hope were more characteristics of Islam than the warlike stereotypes she was familiar with. (pg. 138)”

This was not an easy story to read; war, murder, persecution, hunger, despair, longing. But it is an important story to read. In simple terms, it brings to light, for both middle-school aged children as well as adults, the plight of the people in the war-torn regions of the Middle East. For me, Najmah represents the innocence lost under the Taliban regime. She also represents love of family, country and way of life as well as hope. Her faith in her ability to return to the family farm represents to me the faith that the people of Afghanistan have in their ability to return to their country in peace.

I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to know more about Islam and Afghanistan. I would also recommend this to anyone who likes to read about women who possess a strong sense of self. Through all of the chaos and fear, Nusrat and Najmah do not loss faith. Though afraid and deeply saddened by their losses, they stay true to themselves. That is a universal message. One to be learned and treasured no matter your nationality or religion.

Drown by Junot Diaz

Drown, by Junot Diaz, is a book I never would have selected for myself. For one, it’s a collection of short stories. I do not care for reading short stories; typically they are not developed enough for my liking. I prefer when a story comes to some sort of a resolution at the end. Genre and style aside, the content of these stories was disturbing to me. I read through the selected stories quickly so that I could put this book behind me. I had no desire to read the four remaining stories for I did not want to dwell in those depraved lives any further. This is not a book I would recommend to anyone, most certainly not students.

Maybe I just don’t get the point Diaz was trying to make when he wrote these stories. His absolutely negative view of the immigrant experience I find to be disheartening. Story after story, Diaz presents characters who act in illegal, immoral and socially reprehensible ways. These behaviors are not justifiable because people may be immigrants or poor. They are certainly not something to be glorified. People have been pulling themselves out of poverty for all time. Has Diaz given up on a sense of personal responsibility?

I am not naïve to think that situations presented in these stories are strictly fiction. However, the way Diaz presents his characters does little to endear me to them. The only character I truly felt for was the boy in No Face. That child was dealing with physical and the resulting emotional pains from the attack from the wild pig. It was a searing depiction of the occasional cruelty of society. For the most part, the other characters have choices to make in their lives. The fact that they choose to do drugs, have illicit sexual encounters, act in violent ways, use foul language, act in crude, disrespectful ways are entirely their choice. Poverty is not an excuse for these behaviors.

I’m left wondering how the Dominican community feels about his representation of their immigrant experience. Is this how they wish to be depicted?