Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

This is what great YA historical fiction looks like: unflinching, complex, and deeply respectful of its readers' intelligence. Yang doesn't simplify the Boxer Rebellion into good guys and bad guys—instead, he shows how violence and cultural conflict devastate everyone involved.

The dual-narrative structure is brilliant. You read Little Bao's story and think, 'Yes, fight back against these colonizers destroying your culture!' Then you read Vibiana's story and think, 'Wait, but these missionaries gave her a home when no one else would.' That cognitive dissonance is the point, and it's powerful.

The violence is real but not gratuitous—it's historical and necessary to understanding the stakes. The art style keeps it from being overwhelming while still conveying the brutality of war. This isn't light reading, but it's absolutely worth it for teens ready to grapple with hard questions about identity, faith, and the cost of resistance.

If your teen is into history, graphic novels, or just ready for something meatier than typical YA fare, this is a must-read. Just know it's emotionally heavy and best read with space to process and discuss.

Age Fit

This is solidly high school territory—14+ for most teens. The violence, moral complexity, and historical weight require emotional maturity and some context about colonialism and religious conflict. Strong readers interested in history or graphic novels will get the most out of it.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

62

Yang presents both sides of the Boxer Rebellion with nuance and empathy, showing the humanity in both perspectives. However, the story centers on violent conflict, religious persecution, and cultural clash. The dual-narrative structure models perspective-taking beautifully, but the emotional weight is heavy—characters face displacement, identity crisis, and moral ambiguity. It's mature and balanced rather than comforting.

Imaginative

88

Stunning visual storytelling that blends Chinese mythology with historical fiction. Little Bao's visions of Chinese gods as superhero-like protectors is genuinely inventive, and the parallel narrative structure—telling the same conflict from opposing viewpoints—is ambitious and thought-provoking. Yang's art style is distinctive, expressive, and uses the graphic novel medium to its full potential. This is creative nonfiction at its best.

Safe

55

Common Sense Media confirms 'a large amount of violence' including battle scenes, death, and persecution. The violence is drawn in a 'cartoony manner' (per kid reviews) but it's pervasive and includes executions, war, and religious conflict. Some sexual content is mentioned. This isn't gratuitous, but it's heavy historical material that deals with real atrocities. Not something a younger kid should stumble into unexpectedly. For the target YA audience with context, it's appropriate—but it requires readiness.

Enriching

92

This is exceptional educational material. It tackles a complex, often-overlooked chapter of Chinese history (the Boxer Rebellion of 1900) with sophistication and moral complexity. Readers confront questions about colonialism, cultural identity, religious conversion, and the cost of violence. The dual perspective forces critical thinking—there are no easy heroes or villains. Winner of the LA Times Book Prize for YA Literature. This is the kind of book that stays with you and changes how you think about history and conflict.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Teaches perspective-taking at the highest level—same historical event, two completely different protagonists with legitimate worldviews
Blends Chinese mythology with history in visually stunning ways (gods as superhero protectors is genuinely cool)
Tackles colonialism, cultural identity, and religious conflict with nuance rarely seen in YA literature
Gene Luen Yang's art is expressive and accessible while handling heavy material with respect
LA Times Book Prize winner—this is literary graphic novel work that stays with you

⚠

What to Watch For

Significant violence throughout—battle scenes, executions, persecution (drawn in stylized manner but pervasive)
Heavy themes of war, cultural destruction, and moral ambiguity that require emotional maturity
Some sexual content mentioned in reviews (though not the focus)
This is not a fun adventure—it's serious historical fiction that will prompt hard questions

Conversation Starters

"Little Bao sees the missionaries as destroyers of his culture, while Vibiana sees them as saviors. How can both be true?"
"What would you do if your home and traditions were threatened by outsiders who claimed to be helping?"
"The book doesn't tell you who's right or wrong. Who did you sympathize with more, and why?"
"How do you think people today might tell different versions of the same current events?"

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