American Born Chinese by Gene Yang

Synopsis: A multifaceted story about the pressures of growing up different, told through three seemingly unrelated stories that come together in a dazzling way by the end. In the first, a young Chinese boy runs into conflict with his best friend when he tries to change himself to become cool. Then, a white high school student faces embarrassment when his grossly stereotypical Chinese cousin Chin-Kee comes to town. And finally, after being embarrassed at a party for the gods, the Monkey King sets out to prove that he is “The Great Sage, Equal to All Heaven” in a story borrowed from Chinese folklore.

Themes: Racial stereotypes, changing oneself to fit in, self-acceptance

Content Advisory: The book confronts some disturbing stereotypes, and talks bluntly about American impressions of Chinese culture. Some jokes about bodily functions.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some of the stereotypes presented in American Born Chinese? How are the stereotypes presented? What do you think the author is trying to say about those stereotypes?
2. On the surface, the character of Chin-Kee is incredibly disturbing as he embodies the worst kind of racial stereotypes. Who is Chin-Kee? What does he represent in the story?
3. How do the three stories relate to each other?
4. In the sections of the story about Danny and his cousin Chin-Kee, the author uses a lot of laughter and applause sound effects that seem to be coming from nowhere. What do these sound effects remind you of? Why would the author use these effects?
5. The Transformer toy in American Born Chinese represents the many alterations or transformations the characters go through in order to fit into American society. How do the characters “transform” themselves? How do you transform yourself to fit into the American mainstream?

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