Date of Birth: August 9, 1973
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Biography
Gene Luen Yang is an acclaimed American graphic novelist and cartoonist, renowned for his significant contributions to the comic book industry. Born on August 9, 1973, in Alameda, California, Yang’s passion for storytelling and illustration began at an early age. He initially pursued a degree in computer science at the University of California, Berkeley, but his love for comics led him back to his true calling. Yang’s breakthrough came with the graphic novel “American Born Chinese,” published in 2006. The novel explores themes of identity, culture, and acceptance, and it became the first graphic novel to be nominated for a National Book Award. It also won the Michael L. Printz Award and the Eisner Award, cementing Yang’s place in the literary world. Throughout his career, Yang has worked on various notable projects, including “Boxers & Saints,” a two-volume graphic novel about the Boxer Rebellion, and “The Shadow Hero,” which revives the 1940s superhero The Green Turtle. In 2016, he was named the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress. Yang’s works often address issues of cultural identity, immigration, and the Asian-American experience, making him a pivotal figure in contemporary literature and comics.
5 Interesting Facts about Gene Luen Yang
1. Gene Luen Yang was the first graphic novelist to be named a National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.
2. “American Born Chinese” was the first graphic novel to be nominated for a National Book Award.
3. Yang has a background in computer science and worked as a high school computer science teacher while pursuing his writing career.
4. He has contributed to popular comic series like “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and “Superman.”
5. Yang was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the “Genius Grant,” in 2016.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gene Luen Yang
1. “I’ve always felt that comics are a way of bridging gaps between different cultures.”
2. “When you grow up as a minority, you’re always looking for mirrors in the stories you read.”
3. “Art is a way of speaking to the world without using words.”
4. “Comics marry words and pictures in a way that’s uniquely powerful.”
5. “Every story we tell is a reflection of who we are and what we value.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Gene Luen Yang’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $1-2 million.
Children
Gene Luen Yang has four children. He often speaks about balancing his family life with his career in interviews and public talks.
Relevant Links
1. [Gene Luen Yang Official Website](https://geneyang.com/
2. [National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature](https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-16-005/
3. [MacArthur Foundation Profile](https://www.macfound.org/fellows/961/
5. [Gene Luen Yang at Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/36799.Gene_Luen_Yang
