SUMMARY: Three stories are alternately told through vibrantly colorful and detailed drawings, as well as a superb writing job. The first concerns the Monkey King, born from a rock, yet ascended to God status...to himself and his followers. Unfortunately, those in Heaven only see him as a shoeless monkey. The rejection of those he saw as his peers changed how the Monkey King saw himself, how he treated his subjects, and most dramatically, his personality. The second story introduces us to Jin Wang, whose family has recently moved from the Chinatown section of San Francisco to a suburb where Asians are scarce. Jin endures the ridicule and ostracization of his schoolmates as he struggles to fit in somehow. Lastly, we meet Danny, a nice-looking high-school basketball player who transfers to a different school each year. Danny does this to escape the shame and embarrassment he feels his cousin Chin-Kee, the embodiment of a negative Chinese stereotype, brings upon Danny during Chin-Kee's annual visits. Towards the end of the book, these stories are connected in a moving and meaningful way. 
 EVALUATION: I think this book is fantastic, and well-worthy of all the honors and accolades it has received. Both the artwork and the storyline are deeply engaging. I felt myself becoming quite involved with the characters, and pulling for Jin as he develops a crush on an American girl. I was disappointed to see the Monkey King's personality turn into something dark and nasty, though I never lost hope that the real Monkey King would return. This is a wonderful story about being true to yourself, no matter what. 
 WHY I WOULD INCLUDE IT: While the racism and stereotyping that occurs in the book can be painful to witness, these actions do occur in the world, and can provide a springboard to a discussion between the tween and their parent (or teacher, or classmates). The sheer amount of awards it has earned makes this title worthy of having in an initial graphic novel collection. The publisher has a lesson plan for teachers at their web site (http://www.firstsecondbooks.com/teach... ).