Skip to main content

Five Faves: Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage

By
 As May draws to a close and with it Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month, it is a good time to reflect on the contributions and influence of the many Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders who call the United States home. Whether through art, literature, politics, or any number of other significant achievements, we, as a country, have greatly benefitted from the contributions of individuals from these cultural backgrounds. If you're curious to learn more, the following list is comprised of a blend of informational books or were written and/or illustrated by an Asian American or Pacific Islander. Enjoy! 

Written by Naomi Hirahara
Illustrated by Sarah Demonteverde
Hachette Books, 2024. Informational. 95 pages.

A sweeping overview of not only significant Asian American and Pacific Islander figures, but also an introduction to important terminology, holidays, and pronunciation, A Child's Introduction to Asian American and Pacific Islander History, is the perfect primer for any child curious about this notable topic. 

Aloha Everything
Written by Kaylin Melia George
Illustrated by Mae Waite
Brooklyn, NY: Red Comet Press, 2024. Picture Book.

Aloha Everything follows a young girl throughout her life as she learns to dance hula and the accompanying important lessons of Hawaiian history and folklore. 

Written by Veeda Bybee
Illustrated by Victo Ngai
New York: Versify, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2023. Informational. 99 pages.

A compilation of 40 influential Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have brought changes for good in the world. It includes everyone from less well-known figures such as Dalip Singh Saund (the first Sikh and Indian American elected to the U.S. Congress) to world famous actor Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson. This well-rounded overview, was also sure to cover a multiplicity of disciplines, including: science, sports, engineering, and the arts --so there is an interest for all readers.

You Are Here: Connecting Flights
By Ellen Oh, et al. 
New York: Allida, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2023. Fiction. 265 pages.

A series of short stories, told from the perspectives of multiple young Asian Americans, that are interwoven throughout their day at a Chicago airport. Drawn from the twelve different authors own experiences, You Are Here, is a dynamic exploration on the complexities of identity. 

Written by Julie Leung
Illustrated by Hanna Cha
New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2023. Picture Book. 

This year's winner of a Caldecott Honor and the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, The Truth About Dragons, is an important analogy about cherishing biracial identity -- in this case told through eastern and western mythologies about dragons. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

If You Like...KPop Demon Hunters

By
KPop Demon Hunters has been one of the most talked-about movies of the summer. If you loved this movie as much as I did, you don't want the magic (or the music) to stop. Try reading these books that touch on some of the same topics and themes as the animated hit! Brick Dust and Bones By M. R. Fournet New York: Feiwel and Friends, 2023. Fiction. 247 pages. Orphaned Marius works in the family business--as their cemetery's ghost caretaker. However, Marius also moonlights as a monster hunter in order to earn the costly Mystic currency he needs to bring his mother back from the dead. As the window to bring his mother back begins to close, Marius's exploits get more and more dangerous, and he may have set his sights on a monster too big to handle on his own. Like Mira, Marius longs for familial connection, and his work as a monster hunter will satisfy the thrill of demon hunting for fans the movie. Where's Halmoni? By Julie J. Kim Seattle, WA: Little Bigfoot, 2017. Comics. W...
Post a Comment
Read more

Dog Man Read Alikes

By
Dog Man  is a popular graphic novel for middle graders all about the adventures of a half-man, half-dog police officer. With 14 books in the series, many readers can't get enough of these hilarious stories! If your child is looking for more books like Dog Man, here are some great options to try out.  Dex Dingo: World's Best Greatest Ever... Inventor By Greg Foley Los Angeles: Disney-Hyperion, 2024. Comic. 157 pages.  Dex Dingo doesn't know what he wants to do when he grows up. His classmates all seem to know, but he just doesn't feel like he is the BEST at anything. When a class assignment challenges him to figure out what he wants to be, he decides he wants to become the world's best ever inventor! Filled with beautifully drawn spreads and kid-approved humor, this book is sure to please any Dog Man fan.  Troubling Tonsils Written by Aaron Reynolds Illustrated by Peter Brown  New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025. Fiction. 71 pages.  ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Faker

By
Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit...
Post a Comment
Read more