Literature exposes readers to different cultures, authentic perspectives, and unique ideas. Through the voices of authors who speak from their own experiences, a story becomes a plane to the opposite side of the planet, a time machine to a world that will never exist again, or a mind-reading device leading straight into another person’s thoughts. When you travel, you see new contexts through your own eyes; when you read, you see them through the eyes of others.
In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, I hope that you enjoy this list of books written by Asian and Asian American authors, all of which are available through the Wake County library system.
HISTORICAL FICTION
Bronze and Sunflower (2005) is a novel by Cao Wenxuan, winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Born in 1954, Cao witnessed the Chinese Cultural Revolution through his childhood, the era in which this book is set. This heartwarming story follows adopted siblings Bronze, a mute farmer boy, and Sunflower, the daughter of an artist, as they experience this tumultuous period in a rural village.
Brother’s Keeper (2020) is the debut novel published by Korean American Julie Lee. Throughout the story, a girl named Sora flees North Korea for the South during the chaos of the Korean War. Separated from her parents, she is responsible for protecting her younger brother as they struggle to find food, evade capture, and continue their grueling trek. The sequel, In the Tunnel, is narrated by Sora’s friend Myung-gi, a fellow refugee from her village.
Under the Broken Sky (2019) is a novel-in-verse by Japanese poet Mariko Nagai. Novels-in-verse —long-form books that are written as a series of poems—have been a growing trend in recent years, but Nagai’s poetry stands apart as a true work of art. Purposeful and captivating, this book tells the story of two Japanese sisters who are forced to flee their home in Manchuria because of the 1945 Soviet invasion, an often overlooked aspect of World War II.
Ahimsa (2017) is the debut novel of Supriya Kelkar, an Indian American author. Set in 1942, it provides an accessible window into the Indian independence movement and the conflicts between people of different religions and castes. Additionally, her realistic fiction novel American as Paneer Pie describes the experiences of a Desi girl growing up in Detroit, inspired by Kelkar’s own childhood.
FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (2009) is a Newbery Honor-winning novel by Taiwanese American Grace Lin. The first book of the Starry River of the Sky trilogy, this story follows the adventure of a girl named Minli. Accompanied by a flightless dragon, she embarks on a journey to find the Old Man of the Moon to learn how to return prosperity to her mountainous village. Lin includes Chinese mythology and beautiful illustrations that strengthen the narrative.
The Only Child (2015) is a wordless graphic novel by Guojing, an author-illustrator from China who currently resides in Canada. Based on the isolation of growing up under the One Child Policy, this work portrays a fantastical story through exquisite, monochromatic artwork. Guojing’s most recent book, Oasis, uses a post-apocalyptic setting to explore the phenomenon of children being left behind in rural areas as their parents work tirelessly in urban factories.
A Rover’s Story (2022) is a science-fiction novel by Jasmine Warga, a Jordanian and American author. The main character, Resilience (nicknamed Res), is a NASA rover who travels to Mars with a drone named Fly. Res’ personal growth is paralleled by the coming-of-age of a daughter of one of the scientists, whose letters are interspersed throughout the story. On a more serious note, Warga has also written Other Words for Home, a novel-in-verse following a Syrian refugee.
A Thai-inspired retelling of Les Misérables with a magical twist, A Wish in the Dark (2020) is one of Christina Soontornvat’s three Newbery Honor-winning books. The protagonists are Pong, an orphaned prison escapee, and Nok, the prison warden’s daughter, who is determined to track him down. Soontornvat’s seafaring adventure The Last Mapmaker provides a similar mix of creative world building and engaging characters.
REALISTIC FICTION
Amal Unbound (2015) was written by Aisha Saeed, a Pakistani American. She was inspired by the lack of books set in modern Pakistan and the overlooked bravery of children in difficult situations. The book describes an ambitious girl who is forced to become an indentured servant in the household of a wealthy family. Saeed is also one of the contributors to the novel Grounded, a fast-paced collaboration between four Muslim authors.
Jane Kuo’s In the Beautiful Country (2022) is a reflective novel-in-verse based on her experiences as a Chinese and Taiwanese immigrant. In it, a girl named Anna struggles to transition to life in California as her parents face challenges in their management of a fast food restaurant. The title is derived from the Chinese word for America: “měiguó,” meaning “beautiful country.” The sequel, Land of Broken Promises, continues Anna’s story.
Translated from Japanese, Soul Lanterns (2021) is a novel by second generation atomic bomb survivor Shaw Kuzki. Set in Hiroshima, a twelve-year-old girl learns about the experiences of different individuals in her community on August 6, 1945, illustrating the tragic aftermath of the bombing. The title refers to the lantern floating ceremony held annually in Hiroshima to commemorate the lost. Poignant haikus especially add to this novel’s depth.
A Two Placed Heart (2024) is a fictionalized memoir-in-verse by Vietnamese American Doan Phuong Nguyen. Through a series of poems, protagonist Bom recalls her family’s tumultuous history and encourages her younger sister not to let go of her Vietnamese heritage. Featuring multigenerational layers and the tension of adapting to a new culture, this book is perfect for readers who enjoyed Inside Out and Back Again.
MEMOIRS AND NONFICTION
The Diary of Ma Yan (2005) is the authentic account of Ma Yan, a Muslim girl in rural China. A member of an ethnic minority, Ma came from an impoverished family but had a deep commitment to her education. As a teenage student, her experiences are simultaneously relatable and eye-opening, providing a necessary reminder of the comforts that we tend to take for granted. Unfortunately, nothing has been heard of Ma Yan’s fate for nearly two decades.
Funny in Farsi (2003) is the humorous memoir of Iranian American Firoozeh Dumas. Through numerous anecdotes, it describes her immigration to the United States in the 1970s, her experiences during the Iranian Hostage Crisis, and her entry to adulthood. With a lighthearted tone, she paints a vivid picture of her family members and their adaptations to American culture. Her novel It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel provides a fictionalized account of her childhood.
The Boy From Clearwater (2023) is a two-volume graphic novel by Yu Peiyun and Zhou Jiaxin, an author and illustrator, respectively, from Taiwan. It tells the true story of Tsai Kun-Lim while simultaneously walking through a wide span of Taiwanese history, from the Japanese occupation to the current democracy. Tsai, a victim of the White Terror, is an engaging protagonist, and his experiences are accompanied by thorough historical notes and detailed illustrations.
Happy reading!
