This is one of those rare books that's both genuinely good literature and actually readable for teens. Yang pulls off something ambitious: weaving Chinese mythology, a sitcom parody, and a realistic immigrant story into one narrative that sticks the landing.

The Chin-Kee sections will make you uncomfortable—that's the point. He's a walking collection of every racist Asian stereotype, and Yang uses him to show how damaging and dehumanizing these caricatures are. But younger readers might not catch the satire, so this really is a 13+ book.

The graphic novel format is perfect for the story Yang wants to tell, and the Monkey King sections are genuinely cool mythology that feels fresh. If your teen is ready for honest conversations about racism, identity, and belonging, this is required reading. It won a Printz Award for a reason—it's smart, moving, and stays with you.