American Born Chinese

Gene Luen Yang’s American Born Chinese (2006–present, First Second) weaves three seemingly separate stories—a Chinese-American teen struggling with his identity, a visit from a cousin straight out of a Chinese folk tale, and a racist caricature of a Chinese delivery boy—into a single, resonant narrative about self-acceptance and cultural heritage. This singular, award-winning graphic novel from First Second Books is a landmark work in comics, celebrated for its thoughtful, accessible blend of humor, mythology, and the immigrant experience. Yang’s confident, clean art and layered storytelling make it a defining text for readers of all ages.