In his critically acclaimed graphic novel, American Born Chinese, Gene Yang shares his struggle to reconcile his Chinese heritage with his American homeland. This comedic, touching and deeply personal book shows that, as a community of diverse individuals, America offers everyone the opportunity to create a culture of their own. Check out Gene Yang’s interview from america.gov. You can get American Born Chinese on Amazon.com. (BTW – Check out Secret Identities as well. america.gov wrote a piece about is last month.

American Born Chinese on America.gov

American Born Chinese author Gene Yang (Chinese subtitled)

More about Gene Yang

Gene Luen Yang holds the distinction of writing the first graphic novel to be nominated for the National Book Award in the United States. Yang, one of five 2006 finalists in the Young People’s Literature category, was chosen for American Born Chinese, his partly autobiographical exploration of self-acceptance. In 2007, the book was the first graphic novel to receive the American Library Association’s Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature.

Yang, also a part-time high school teacher, has been drawing comics and writing stories since elementary school. He has published five graphic novels and a number of shorter pieces, including a serial strip for the New York Times. His most recent book, The Eternal Smile, illustrated by Derek Kirk Kim, was released April 29. Yang spoke to America.gov staff writer Sonya Weakley about American Born Chinese.