Asian American Pacific Islander Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Month and to celebrate the Macomb Public Library is offering reading lists for picture books, middle grade books, and young adult books by AAPI authors and illustrators.
As Rudine Sims Bishop famously wrote, books provide windows, mirrors and sliding glass doors. Books can show us our own stories, show us the stories of others, and give us a way to experience another person's story. Stories that feature universal themes like family, friendship, food, and folklore connect us all. The following list features middle grade books by Asian American and Pacific Islander authors and illustrators that will appeal to every reader.
Watch for the ** for Miss Tiffany's favorite books!
**Dragon Hoops by Gene Yang explores how everyone makes a decision by taking a first step. Gene doesn't get sports, but basketball is very important at the school where he teaches. Telling the story the basketball team, and those around them, changes Gene's life too. You really can't go wrong with any story by Gene Yang!
**The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi is set in the glamorous world of Paris, 1889. Severin is a young treasure hunter who has been denied what's rightfully his by the Order of Babel, but now they need him. He and his team will stop at nothing to find this latest treasure, but they all have their own reasons. This is the first in a three book series.
A Thousand Beginnings and Endings: 15 Retellings of Asian Myths and Legends edited by Ellen Oh is a perfect short story collection if you are not sure what you want to read, because this has it all! The themes of love, revenge, ghosts, family, and magic are universal. You are sure to find a story that strikes a cord.
Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay is about Jay and his need to find out the truth about his cousin's death. After traveling to the Philippines, Jay discovers that his cousin had secrets and Jay himself may have played a part in this death as well. A page-turning look at family bonds.
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, with Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, and Harmony Becker is a graphic memior of Takei's childhood experience in an internment camp. Takei was only four year's old when his family was sent to a "relocation center" under the order of President Roosevelt. His experience would shape his future and activism.
Want by Cindy Pon is the first in a science fiction series that might be a bit close to home. Jason Zhou is trying to survive in Taipei despite pollution and spread viruses. Then he discovers that the wealthy are evading any ill effects and Jason works to fight the corruption and save his city.
Wicked Fox by Kat Cho is a sci-fi/fantasy series starter about giving up a bit of yourself to save someone else. Gu Miyoung is a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox, but she loses her fox bead-and her fox soul-when she rescues a human boy. When a shaman offers her a second chance for her soul, she must decide what it is really worth.
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon is a meet cute with more! Dimple wants nothing to do with her family's traditional ways, but Rishi wants an arranged marriage. The two will be together at the same summer program, but will sparks fly?
I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn focuses on Kimi who is ready to run away from her mother and take a trip to visit her estranged grandparents in Kyoto. Kimi's mother doesn't approve of her love of fashion but after being in Japan, Kimi finds a way to understand her mother, and catch the eye of med student Akira.
Frankly in Love by David Yoon is about Korean-American teen Frank and his parents strict expectations. Frank is finally dating the girl of his dreams, Brit, but she's white and his parents want him to date a nice Korean girl. His friend Joy is in the same predicament, so Frank and Joy hatch a plan to satisfy everyone, until of course everything goes wrong. **Also, David Yoon is married to Nicola Yoon, the author of The Sun is Also a Star. Talk about a young adult lit power couple!
Heiress Apparently by Diana Ma takes main character Gemma for a wild ride! Gemma travels to Beijing to star in a movie only to find out that she might actually be Chinese royalty. This series starter is sure to entertain!
To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han inspired the hit Netflix series. Laura Jean writes love letters to boys that she has a crush on, but when her private letters are accidentally mailed, her love life gets much more interesting. Can't get enough Laura Jean? Then check out P.S. I Still Love You and Always and Forever, Laura Jean.
