kashibigqs

Big Questions Kashi


 * 1. //American Born Chinese// is the first graphic novel to win the Printz Award and be a finalist for the National Book Award. Why do you think it was picked for these awards and honors? Would you have chosen it? Explain.

** I think this book was awarded because of its use of symbolism and colorful portrayal of emotional instability. For this reason, I also would have chosen it. It looks like just a cartoon at first, but there is more to it than meets the eye.


 * 2. Graphic novels appeal to a variety of people. There are a variety of graphic novel genres such as fantasy, super-hero, non-fiction, etc. Have you read graphic novels in the past? How did //American Born Chinese// compare? Graphically speaking what appealed to you? What did not?**

I have not read any graphic novels except for __Captain Underpants__ and __Pokemon__. This book appealed to me because of its easy read and beautiful use of images. The one thing that really bothered me was how annoying and stereotypical Chin-Kee was.


 * 3. Did you find the graphic novel an effective way for Yang to tell his story?**

This format was a very effective way to tell the story. I did not know a graphic novel could be as artistic and well thought out as a regular novel.


 * 4. Yang uses humor to make light of experiences that are not so humorous for the immigrants that experience them. Often when reading we laugh at painful experiences of the characters. Have you or anyone you've known had experiences that were funny to others, but very painful to you? If possible, explain. Do you think Yang used the technique of humor appropriately?**

I love Yang’s use of humor, especially when the kid who called Jin bucktooth had buckteeth himself. I do not try to make my painful experiences funny. There is someone I know who did this, but I would rather not talk about that


 * 5. What can be learned from the Monkey King and //American Born Chinese//?**

This story teaches us that it is better to learn to accept who you are, then wish to be something else. When someone wants to be something else, it is really just because they want to be happy.


 * 6. Yang uses a television show to tell Chin-Kee's story. Why do you think he does this? Was it effective? Why?**

I think it was effective to use a television show to tell Chin-Kee’s story because having the audience laughing and clapping symbolizes how Danny feels the world perceives him when he is with Chin-Kee.


 * 7. The Monkey King chooses to be stuck in the mountain of rocks for 500 years, to escape he must return to his "true form." How do the other characters experience this in //American Born Chinese//? Have you experienced a similar situation in your life?**

When Jin refuses to accept that he is Asian, he is stuck in an emotional trap. I try to accept who I am and work with it.

The characters in American Born Chinese transform themselves into Americans when they are in America. I transform myself into a “mature adult” sounding person when I talk to adults, and I become an immature, silly kid when I talk to my friends.
 * 8. Wei-Chen's transformer robot monkey symbolizes so much in the graphic novel. How do the characters in //American Born Chinese// "transform" themselves for American society? Do you "transform" yourselves? Why?**