A Letter to Scout by Graham
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Boo’s Action Reflection by Amari
Thoughts on the People of Maycomb by Elliot
Defeated by Elizabeth
That is That By Shannon
Changing The Unchangeable by Amari
Gene Luen Yang’s American Born Chinese talks about people that try to fit into a world that is not very nice to them. The author creates three stories that seem quite different, but in reality, they are all similar in the way they all have the same goal, to be accepted, or try to “Fit in” The monkey king tried to get into a dinner party that only gods and deities were allowed to go to. Under the idea that he was considered a deity by the gods, he went to the party but was not allowed in because he is just a monkey to them. He wanted to be a deity, as he always called himself after the event “The Great Sage, Equal of Heaven” The monkey king wanted to change what he couldn’t change, what he was. All of the human gods and deities all saw him as just a monkey, an insignificant animal who has no power. And The monkey king wanted to change that by showing his power, but that only resulted in him being trapped for 500 years. Until he met Wong Lai-Tsao, and he learned to accept himself and helped him.
The Transformations by Noah
Throughout the book, the main characters, Monkey King (a fearless warrior who is a deity to flower fruit mountain and is master at Kung-Fu.) and Jin( A boy born in San Francisco who is ashamed of his Chinese heritage. So he does everything he can to be an all American boy so he can “fit in” with his friends from school.) But they learn that finding who they really are is more important than what they want to be in life. Here are ways that these 3 characters have changed.
Jin was ashamed of his Chinese heritage and figured out throughout his elementary years he wouldn’t make many friends. So Jin decided to perm his hair. The reason why he permed his hair is so he can be like a popular boy in his grade named Greg. It would also make him look like more of an American boy. But Jin later learns by the Monkey King that he should be proud of who he really is and needs to accept himself for who he is.
The Monkey King went to a dinner party, but he wouldn’t get let in because he was a monkey. So over time, he studies the ways of Kung-Fu and learns to shape shift into anything he wants. He uses that power to help others. But he learns his lesson by Tze Yo Tzuh. He realizes that he needs to use his powers for good. He transforms into the character Ckin-Kee in order to help Jin find who he really is.
All in all, these characters have to go through a lot throughout the story. The way they change can really impact the reader. It teaches the lesson of who you are is the best form of you. Because it’s what makes you, you.
Find Yourself by Graham
In the book, American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang. Tells us about three different characters who are born Chinese. This book talks a lot about what it is like to be Chinese in a different country, but also teaches us many lessons. “To find your true identity…within the will of Tze-Yo-Tzah … is the highest of all freedoms.” To find your true identity, you must practice and believe in yourself. In this case, in order to find true identity, you must train with Tze-Yo-Tzah before you become a hero. In American Born Chinese, the Monkey King trained on his own, and did not train to be the best with the help of Tze-Yo-Tzah. The Monkey King showed up in front of Tze-Yo-Tzah, and thought he was the master. The Monkey King thought that since he trained on his own for Forty days, that he would be the “Great Sage.” But instead he acted very foolish in front of Tze-Yo-Tzah, and was buried under rocks for 500 years.
Wei-Chen’s transformer symbolizes in this book, because that was how he and Jin became friends. In the book, growing up is a big topic. When the Monkey King was younger he wanted to be hero when he grew up known as “The Great Sage”. Jin wanted to be a Transformer when he grew up. Danny wanted to be a basketball player when he grew up. This idea of “Transforming” will soon change yourself in life. This happens a lot throughout this book. Jin eventually has a crush on a girl, and tries to be a jock. He eventually turns back to his old self after doing crazy things. Monkey King wanted to be a hero. He was very foolish in the beginning, but after being under rock for 500 years. He saved Wong-Lai-Tsao, and lived up to that dream of being a hero. The whole point of transforming is talking about how you are when you are little, and then changing as you get older. This topic plays a big role in American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang.
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