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Discussion Guide Young Adult Book Discussion Kits Young Adult Book Discussion Kits are available to library patrons for use by home and community discussion groups, as well as teachers in the classroom setting. Each kit contains a set of thirty identical soft-cover books accompanied by a book discussion guide. The guides feature information about the author, reviews of the book, discussion questions, suggested further readings, and other pertinent information. Each kit is packaged in a canvas tote bag and may be borrowed for six weeks. A Reader’s Guide to Young Adult Book Discussion Kits may be reserved and sent Young Adult Book to the library branch of your choice for pick up. If you would like to Discussion Kit reserve a kit, please stop by your local library branch or call 574- American Born 1611 . The kits may also be reserved through our website Chinese www.lfpl.org . A list of all the kits may be found in the LFPL cata- By Gene Luen Yang log by typing Book Discussion Kit Young Adult at the title prompt. Xtreme Reads Xtreme Reads Xtreme Reads Children’s & Young Adult Services 301 York Street Xtreme Reads Louisville, KY 40203 502-574-1620 Xtreme Reads http://www.firstsecondbooks.com/ Young Adult Book Discussion Kits All Jin Wang wants is to fit in. About the Author What the Critics Say… When his family moves to a new 3. Why does the Monkey King insist that all the monkeys begin neighborhood, he suddenly finds Gene Yang began drawing comic “Like Toni Morrison's The Bluest that he's the only Chinese- wearing shoes? Do you think American student at his school. books in the fifth grade. In 1997, he Eye and Laurence Yep's Dragon- wearing shoes helps the Monkey Jocks and bullies pick on him received the Xeric Grant, a prestig- wings , this novel explores the im- King achieve what he wants? constantly, and he has hardly ious comics industry grant, for pact of the American dream on any friends. Then, to make mat- Gordon Yamamoto and the King of those outside the dominant culture 4. Have you ever wanted to be ters worse, he falls in love with the Geeks , his first comics work as an in a finely wrought story that is an someone else? What would you an all-American girl… adult. He has since written and drawn effective combination of humor change about yourself? Also, a number of titles, including Dun- and drama.” School Library Jour- what do you like about yourself Born to rule over all the mon- can's Kingdom (with art by Derek nal that you wouldn’t want to keys in the world, the story of Kirk Kim) and The Rosary Comic change? the Monkey King is one of the Book . “Yang helps the humor shine by oldest and greatest Chinese fa- using his art to exaggerate or op- 5. What lesson does the Monkey bles. Adored by his subjects, He lives in the San Francisco Bay pose the words, creating a synthe- King learn that he tries to pass master of the arts of kung-fu, he onto Jin? is the most powerful monkey on Area with his lovely wife and chil- sis that marks an accomplished dren and teaches at a Roman Catholic graphic storyteller.” Booklist earth. But the Monkey King 6. This book is a graphic novel high school. doesn't want to be a monkey. He told in comic book form. How “Gene Luen Yang has created that wants to be hailed as a god... did the pictures add to the story? rare article: a youthful tale with Do you think this story could something new to say about Chin-Kee is the ultimate nega- have been told without the pic- tive Chinese stereotype, and he's American youth.” New York tures? Why or why not? ruining his cousin Danny's life. Awards & Recognition Times Book Review Danny's a basketball player, a popular kid at school, but every 2006 National Book Award year Chin-Kee comes to visit, Finalist Discussion Questions Suggested Titles for and every year Danny has to Further Reading transfer to a new school to es- 1. Do you think it would be diffi- cape the shame. This year, 2007 Michael L. Printz Award Winner cult to move to a new country and The Arrival by Shaun Tan though, things quickly go from try to fit in? How did Jin try to fit bad to worse... Publisher Weekly’s Best Books in at school? Re-Gifters by Mike Carey These three apparently unrelated of 2006 tales come together with an un- 2. What is a stereotype? What Grandfather’s Journey by Allen expected twist, in a modern fable stereotypes do you see used in this Say that is hilarious, poignant, and book, especially with the character action-packed. Chin-kee? .
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