Visual Arts Unit - American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

Gene Luen Yang is a super cool author who writes amazing books for kids and grown-ups. He was born in the United States in 1973 and his parents are from Taiwan. Gene loves drawing, so he became a comic book artist and writer. He created a popular book called "American Born Chinese" that won many awards. This book talks about identity and belonging. Gene's stories often have fun characters and teach important lessons about friendship, family, and accepting who we are. He believes that books can help people understand each other better. Gene Luen Yang is a true inspiration!

Who is Gene Luen Yang?
What is the title of his popular book?
What are some themes in Gene's stories?
Why does Gene believe books are important?
What can we learn from Gene Luen Yang?

American Born Chinese

American Born Chinese is a captivating book written by Gene Luen Yang. It tells three interconnected stories that explore themes of identity and acceptance. The book combines the genres of graphic novel and fiction, making it a unique and engaging read.

The first story is about Jin Wang, a young boy who struggles with being the only Chinese-American student in his school. He faces challenges like bullying and feeling like an outsider. Jin's story teaches us about the importance of embracing our cultural heritage and finding strength in our differences.

The second story follows the legendary Monkey King, a powerful and wise character from Chinese mythology. As the Monkey King tries to gain acceptance from the other gods, he learns the importance of humility and self-acceptance. This story teaches us that true happiness comes from within and that we should never be ashamed of who we are.

The third story revolves around Danny, a teenager who is embarrassed by his Chinese cousin, Chin-Kee. Chin-Kee embodies offensive stereotypes about Chinese people, making Danny feel ashamed of his heritage. This story explores the harmful effects of stereotypes and the importance of standing up against racism and prejudice.

Why is American Born Chinese considered a unique book?
What challenges does Jin Wang face in the book?
What lesson does the Monkey King learn in his story?
Why is Danny embarrassed by his cousin, Chin-Kee?
What themes does the book explore?

Visit to the Birthplace of American Born Chinese

Hi everyone! My name is Isabella and I am 8 years old. Today, I want to share with you all about my amazing visit to the birthplace of a famous author named Gene Luen Yang. Have you heard of him? Well, if you haven't, he is an awesome writer who has created some really cool books that I love!

So, last week my family and I went on a trip to the city of Alameda, which is in California, USA. This is the place where Gene Luen Yang was born! It was so exciting to be in the same city where such a talented author came from.

While we were in Alameda, we also visited a really famous tourist attraction called the USS Hornet Museum. It's an enormous aircraft carrier that was used by the United States Navy. We got to explore inside and even stand on the deck where planes used to take off! It was like stepping back in time and imagining all the brave soldiers who once served on this ship.

What is the name of the author whose birthplace I visited?
Where is the city of Alameda located?
What is the name of the tourist attraction I mentioned?
What kind of ship is the USS Hornet?
Why was it exciting to visit the birthplace of Gene Luen Yang?

Your Turn!

After reading American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang, how about creating your own piece of writing based on the book? Perhaps you may prefer to write a book review of the book instead? Another idea might be to give a summary of the book or create a picture that summarises the book. Perhaps you could redesign the book cover? Whatever you or your teacher decides you try and do, good luck!