04 Mar / Nene and the Horrible Math Monster by Marie Villanueva, illustrated by Ria Unson [in What Do I Read Next? Multicultural Literature]
Nene, a young Filipina American, hates math, but because she works very hard, she still does well. But when she is chosen to represent her class in math in the annual academic competition, she is haunted by nightmares of the horrible math monster. She finally tells her surprised teacher that she much prefers writing to numbers.
In simple, clear terms, this book confronts the Asian American model minority stereotype which assumes all Asians are good at math. The teacher and the students believe Nene to be a math whiz because of her Asian background; it is up to Nene to claim her own identity and define her own academic strengths and desires.
Review: “Asian American Titles,” What Do I Read Next? Multicultural Literature, Gale Research, 1997
Readers: Children
Published: 1993