Monday, December 19, 2011

Level Up

Level Up
By Gene Yang and Thien Pham
First Second/Roaring Brook Press, 2011. 160 pgs. Graphic Novel

All Dennis Ouyang wants to do with his life is play video games; his parents, however, want much more from him. When his father passes away, Dennis goes on a video game binge, to the point that he's kicked out of college. Soon, though, he starts seeing his father's face everywhere and these strange angel-type creatures appear to him and inform him that his destiny is to go medical school and specialize in gastroenterology. They push him to study hard, which he does. However, as he begins to study medicine, he wonders if this is what he really wants to do with his life and sets out to find his own path.

This graphic novel was all right but not amazing. Dennis's experience in learning how to balance family expectations and his own interests is one that many teens will relate to. A little bit of language, but otherwise it's a clean read.

AE

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