Asian American and Pacific Islander Month

In honor of Asian American & Pacific Islander Month, let’s discuss our favorite picture books, novels, poetry, etc that feature Asian-American or Pacific Islander characters, whether they are recently published or familiar classics.  If you’re looking for some recently published titles to add to your collection, you can’t go wrong with these excellent selections:

Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream (2011)

This is one of the most delightful and charming books I’ve read this year; I simply adore it. Clara Lee, a young Korean-American, has a typically eventful year for a third grader, the highlight of which is her town’s annual Little Miss Apple Pie Princess competition.  Determined to win, Clara works hard on the speech she must give in front of her entire school, but meets a formidable opponent, who declares that she is more deserving of the title due to her family’s deep roots in the community.  There are definitely lessons learned in this story, but they’re all conveyed so skillfully and winningly that the story never teeters dangerously into didacticism.  Short chapters, black-and-white illustrations, and honest portrayals of family and school life will win over beginning chapter book readers.

Duck for Turkey Day (2009)

Keep this one in mind if you’re looking for multicultural stories centered on Thanksgiving. Vietnamese-American Tuyet learns that turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving; when she learns that duck, not turkey, will be the guest of honor at their Thanksgiving table, she is worried. It’s not that she doesn’t enjoy duck; it’s just that it’s different from her classmates. When she returns to her classroom after Thanksgiving, she wonders about her classmates’ reactions when they find out that she had duck for Thanksgiving.  Tuyet is surprised and delighted to find out that she wasn’t the only to enjoy a non-traditional Thanksgiving meal; indeed, some classmates had lamb, tofu, roast beef, and enchiladas at their celebration. It’s a welcome alternative to Thanksgiving picture books.

The Great Wall of Lucy Wu (2011)

Lucy Wu thought that her sixth grade year was going to be awesome; sister Regina was off to college and she finally had her own room! That is, until Yi Po, her grandmother’s sister, arrives from China for an extended stay. Lucy’s parents are also making her attend Chinese school, and she has to endure mean girl antics from another student.  This is a fantastic book that deals realistically with sibling issues, cultural identity and bullying; the fact that it does so while remaining a winning and positive read makes this a terrific choice for tween readers.  The changing and deepening relationship between Lucy and Yi Po is also a lovely intergenerational story.

Now, it’s your turn! I didn’t discuss novels in verse like All the Broken Pieces or the even more recent Inside Out and Back Again, or mention any folktales.  Do you have any favorites that honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Month? Do you have any special story times or book-related programs for the month? Let’s discuss in the comments.