I have only read one graphic novel and that was Beowulf. I am not a fan of graphic novels, but I did like American Born Chinese. When I first caught on to the way it was written (all the stories continuing one at a time), I thought it was going to stay that way and have three different endings. I really liked how the ending brought all the stories together and explained them. I really did not see that coming! I think the book can teach valuable lessons about how youth are treated in general. Everyone is different and no one should be punsihed for their differences.
As for Naruto, I wasn't a huge fan. I actually hated how it had to be read backwards. In the beginning I caught myself so many times immediately reading from left to right. The story was not as interesting to me either. It is inspiring to read about a mischievous child who ends up being great, but I think there are other books that can send that message.
I definitely liked the panels in American Born Chinese better as well. The crisp look of the pages made it easier to read. I never found myself stalling to find out if I was going in the right order. In Naruto, the black and white scenery did not spark much interest. I felt like the scenery was all over the place. I preferred the smaller panels in American Born Chinese. I think there was a lot more action in Naruto, which may have been the cause for the confusion when it came to the panels. There was too much going on and with no color it was not as easy to interpret and was not as engaging.
Both novels were filled with a variety of shots, long, meduim and close up. The characters in both novels were likable, but I still feel that the characters in American Born Chinese were more realistic. Again that could be the neatness of the illustrations and the fact that they are in color.
All in all I would definitely recommend American Born Chinese to students. I would recommend Naruto, but I would probably tell students that both are good, but in my opinion American Born Chinese flows easier.
I agree Jackie! I wasn't expecting the ending to come together. I am not a graphic novel fan, but I really got into the American Born Chinese novel. This book can show how teens are treated, especially how they are stereotyped. Naruto was hard for me to get into. I found that reading backwards took more effort than actually reading the book! I guess I had to get through it. Naruto is popular among students and I am glad I got to read at least the first one so I know what it's about.
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