American Born Chinese

American Born Chinese follows two plot lines, the mystical story of the Monkey King, a misunderstood power, and of Jin Wang, a young Chinese-American boy that struggles with the stereotypes that society has pressured on to him. Another plotline is that of Danny, a white boy with a chinese cousin named Chin-Kee. These stories are woven together in a powerful tale of love and self acceptance.

I learned just how harsh racism is. This book put the effects of constant microaggressions at the forefront, and shed light on the internal disruption it causes. Jin Wang's entire perception of himself changes drastically as the book progresses. His desire to be white, to be "normal" overtakes him, somewhat literally. I felt the pain he felt, the ever present societal self loathing that he was going through. The Monkey King's journey was quite similar. He was an outcast, and his journey to find his "normal" led him to help Jin Wang. The importance of guidance in this confusing society is in the front light. I could feel the passing wisdom from the Monkey King to Jin Wang, and the sweet words they shared struck a chord.