Yang, G. L., & Kim, D. K. (2009). The Eternal Smile.
New York: First Second. ISBN 9781596431560
Plot Summary
The Eternal Smile is a series of three thematically linked stories and also a reference to an image that appears in the sky of the second story. In the first tale, Duncan the knight goes on a quest to earn whatever he truly wants. When he expresses that, ultimately, his wish is not the princess, but the truth, he is startled at the revelation. In the second story, Gran'pa Greenbax is a frog that seeks wealth above all else. When the eternal smile appears in the sky, he figures out a way to make it profitable for him. Upon realizing the smile's true nature, he is startled by his true position in life. Finally, Janet is unfulfilled at her job and sparks up a relationship with a prince from Nigeria she received an email from. Against her best judgement she sends him money and begins a fantasy about their potential relationship.
Critical Evaluation
The main theme in The Eternal Smile is reality versus personal fantasies. Duncan realizes that his fantasy as a knight is not true, Gran'pa Greenbax is a science experiment for entertainment, and Janet's romance is merely a con. These characters face reality and reject it, but whichever path they choose, it is not an easy choice. For young adults, this is a valuable lesson to learn, and it is told here in a sort of modern fable.
Reader's Annotation
Three characters dream their ultimate dreams, but what happens when they realize their reality?
Author Information
Gene Luen Yang began publishing comics in 1996 with the help of a grant from the Xeric Foundation. American Born Chinese
was his first breakthrough success, and garnered much critical praise
in 2006, including a nomination for the National Book Award. He
currently teaches at Hamline University in its MFA program for Writing
for Children and Young Adults (About).
Yang was born in Alameda or Fremont, California--he's not sure which--to Chinese immigrant parents in 1973. He felt like a minority in his elementary school and was enamored with Walt Disney and comics. In college, he was encouraged to pursue a "practical" field, studying computer science at UC Berkeley. After working in this field for a few years post-graduation, he decided he wanted to teach. As a writer and artist, he still finds time to teach and lecture at conventions and schools worldwide (Wikipedia).
Yang was born in Alameda or Fremont, California--he's not sure which--to Chinese immigrant parents in 1973. He felt like a minority in his elementary school and was enamored with Walt Disney and comics. In college, he was encouraged to pursue a "practical" field, studying computer science at UC Berkeley. After working in this field for a few years post-graduation, he decided he wanted to teach. As a writer and artist, he still finds time to teach and lecture at conventions and schools worldwide (Wikipedia).
Derek Kirk Kim was born in South Korea in 1974 and moved to the U.S. when he was eight. He has won Harvey and Eisner awards for his graphic novels. In addition to writing and illustrating graphic novels, he continuously publishes content to his website lowbright.com, including a webseries he writes and directs for called Mythomania (Wikipedia).
Genre
Fiction, graphic novel
Curriculum Ties
Reading and Language Arts
Booktalking Ideas
As Duncan, the knight in the first story, describe your plight to gain the princesses heart, but question the appearance of odd items in your world, such as the soda bottle, and wonder suppose they may mean.
Reading Level/Interest Age
Older teens, as this book uses some diction that younger audiences may no understand, and serious themes are prevalent throughout.
Challenge Issues
None, but if challenged, I would first suggest being familiar with the work in order to speak about it directly. Then, listen the challenger's complaint, show them to positive reviews, and refer to the collection policy, stating a need to include a variety of works that may not be suitable for all, but should contain something for everyone. As a last resort, turn to the ALA Bill of Rights or First Amendment defense, but try not to let things get there; listen and reassure the patron.
Reason Selected
After reading American Born Chinese, I was intrigued by this collection of stories by Gene Luen Yang with a new collaborator, Derek Kirk Kim, who had also won several awards for his graphic novels.
References
About. (2010). Gene
Luen Yang. Retrieved March
13, 2013, from http://geneyang.com/about
American Born Chinese. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved March
13, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Born_Chinese
Derek Kirk Kim. (n.d.). In
Wikipedia. Retrieved
March 13, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Kirk_Kim
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