American Born Chinese is a very interesting and entertaining graphic novel. I haven't read many graphic novels, so this was a fairly new experience for me. However, I really enjoyed reading American Born Chinese, and I think it has shown me how valuable graphic novels can be in the classroom.
This graphic novel didn't feel like an assigned reading to me. When I sat down to start reading this book, I ended up reading it all that night because it was so entertaining. The simplicity and accessibility of graphic novels make them very fun, easy reads. Yet, they are still capable of telling great stories. This accessibility and entertainment value makes graphic novels excellent instructional materials. Students can easily pick up a book like American Born Chinese, read it, and understand it. There is nothing intimidating about graphic novels, and students who read them will be able to have literary experiences that are comparable to those of regular novels. Graphic novels still transmit a story that students can analyze, reflect upon, and compare to their own understanding.
American Born Chinese would be a particularly excellent graphic novel for use in the classroom because it depicts universal themes that we readily relate to. Much of American Born Chinese is concerned with the struggle to accept yourself as who you are, which is something that many kids have difficulty with while they are growing up. This graphic novel also presents an excellent depiction of discrimination, intolerance, and ignorance. The main characters in this novel are clearly discriminated against because of who they are and who they associate themselves with. There are also some flat-out racist parts of this book which show how inhumane and irrational prejudices can be. Ultimately, this graphic novel is a story about fitting in, and it is worthwhile to read because it shows how barriers to fitting in are created and destroyed, and it depicts this story in an incredibly accessible, humorous, and entertaining format.
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