Title: American Born Chinese
Author: Gene Lueng Yang
Quick Plot Summary: This graphic novel is a collection of three separate but interwoven stories, each related to Chinese culture in various ways.
The first is the legend of the Monkey King, ruler of Flower-Fruit Mountain and master of kung-fu. Denied entrance to a dinner party, he's no longer satisfied with being a monkey and desperately wants to become a god. So he studies more of the major disciplines of kung-fu, embarks on a life-changing pilgrimage, and meets Tze-Yo-Tzu, or He Who Is, the god who created him from a rock.
The next tale is about an American-born Chinese boy named Jin. He moves from San Francisco and goes to a new school where he has a difficult time because he's the only Chinese-American student. Wei-Chen, a Taiwanese boy, comes to his school, and though Jin wanted to beat him up at first, they become friends. Later, Jin begins to have a crush on an all-American girl and wants to transform himself into an all-American boy.
The third story, "Everybody Ruvs Chin-Kee," is about a popular boy named Danny whose Chinese cousin comes to visit. Chin-Kee's annoying behavior causes Danny terrrible embarrassment and ruins everything.
Favorite Character: Chin-Kee. He made me laugh so hard with his super-stereotypical Chinese ways.
Favorite Part: The end. All three stories come together in a very surprising way.
Favorite Quote: Early in the book, and old Chinese woman asks Jin what he wants to be when he grows up, and he answers, "A transformer." She replies, "It's easy to be anything you wish, so long as you're willing to forfeit your soul." I think that being true to yourself is what this book is all about.
Out of five stars, I would give this book all five. I couldn't stop reading and finished it before I knew what was happening!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
The "Bloody Jack" Audio Books by L.A. Meyer
Lately I've really been enjoying listening to the CDs of the "Bloody Jack" series by L.A. Meyer.
"Jacky" is an adventurous and enterprising young woman (during most of the stories, she is from 13 to 16 years old) who, in the first book, disguises herself to become a "ship's boy" on a British warship during the Napoleonic Wars. She has many hair-raising adventures and narrow escapes, and she is catapulted from one dangerous situation to another...and another...and another...staying alive through sheer luck, pluck and cleverness.
The audio book actor (I hesitate to call her merely a "reader"), Katherine Kellgren, is right on target in her emotional expression, and she seems to be able to do any accent with ease: "Posh" British, Cockney, New England, Southern American, French, Spanish, West Indian, etc. I have lost count of all the voices she does!
The stories themselves take Jacky and the listener/reader onto the high seas and all over the globe, placing her in many unusual and even outrageous situations. These books are at once fascinating trips into the world of the early Nineteenth century, and "ripping" good yarns!
By Christine Demarais, Youth Services
"Jacky" is an adventurous and enterprising young woman (during most of the stories, she is from 13 to 16 years old) who, in the first book, disguises herself to become a "ship's boy" on a British warship during the Napoleonic Wars. She has many hair-raising adventures and narrow escapes, and she is catapulted from one dangerous situation to another...and another...and another...staying alive through sheer luck, pluck and cleverness.
The audio book actor (I hesitate to call her merely a "reader"), Katherine Kellgren, is right on target in her emotional expression, and she seems to be able to do any accent with ease: "Posh" British, Cockney, New England, Southern American, French, Spanish, West Indian, etc. I have lost count of all the voices she does!
The stories themselves take Jacky and the listener/reader onto the high seas and all over the globe, placing her in many unusual and even outrageous situations. These books are at once fascinating trips into the world of the early Nineteenth century, and "ripping" good yarns!
By Christine Demarais, Youth Services
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Teen Video Gaming!
After School Video Gaming for Middle Schoolers. Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 4th through 30th, 3:30-5:00 p.m. Join other teens after school and play a variety of Wii and PS2 games. Free. Middle School students welcome. No preregistration needed.
Weekend Video Games for Teens. Sundays, March 14th & 21st, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Join other teens and play Guitar Hero, Wii, Rock Band and a variety of PS2 games. Free. Middle & High School students welcome. No preregistration needed.
Weekend Video Games for Teens. Sundays, March 14th & 21st, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Join other teens and play Guitar Hero, Wii, Rock Band and a variety of PS2 games. Free. Middle & High School students welcome. No preregistration needed.
March Teen Events
TAB ( Teen Advisory Board), Mondays, March 15th & 29th, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
High Schoolers: Be a part of the process! Help decide what goes into the Young Adult (Teen) collection, and what activities we will have for teens. This couls count toward your community services graduation requirement. No preregistration needed. For more information, call the Youth Desk: 865-7216.
High Schoolers: Be a part of the process! Help decide what goes into the Young Adult (Teen) collection, and what activities we will have for teens. This couls count toward your community services graduation requirement. No preregistration needed. For more information, call the Youth Desk: 865-7216.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
After School Video Gaming for Middle Schoolers
Tuesdays& Thursdays, February 2nd through 18th, 3:00-5:00 p.m., and February 23rd & 25th, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Join other teens after school and play a variety of Wii and PS2 games. Free. Middle School students welcome. No preregistration needed.
Vermont Reads! "When the Emperor Was Divine"
Book Discussion for Teens and Adults! Wednesday, February 10th, 7:30 p.m. The Fletcher Free Library Book Discussion Group meets to discuss the Vermont Humanities Council Vermont Reads! Selection,
When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka. The discussion will be led by Champlain College Librarian Sarah Cohen. Free. No preregistration needed.
When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka. The discussion will be led by Champlain College Librarian Sarah Cohen. Free. No preregistration needed.
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