Children's Book Suggestions | Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month with these chapter books for readers in Grades 2-7!

Updated February 15, 2024
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County)Oregon City Public Library
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The secret of the jade bangle
Trinh, Linda
Paper Book
"Engaging and empowering." --STARRED review, Nonstop Reader A charming early chapter book series that explores Vietnamese culture and identity through the eyes of the Nguyen siblings, with elements of the supernatural, spirituality, and social justice woven in.  Organized and...

Three siblings inherit magical gifts from their late Grandma Ná»™i, who recently passed away, that teach them more about their Vietnamese heritage. (Bridging Fiction Grades 2-4)

The tryout
Soontornvat, Christina
Paper Book
STAND TALL. BE LOUD. GAME FACE ON. This pitch perfect graphic memoir about courage and competition, friendship and belonging is perfect for fans of Smile, New Kid, Rollergirl, and Real Friends. "A captivating...

Based on a true story from the author's childhood, this novel about trying out for the middle school cheerleading squad is a perfect fit for friends of Smile and Real Friends. (Young Teen Graphic Novel Grades 5-7)

Haru, zombie dog hero
Oh, Ellen
Paper Book
"Tender character relationships between both pup and human, and the myriad fully realized animals Haru meets along his journey, combine for a multilayered and thoroughly heartfelt must-read."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Oh covers heavy, relevant topics in this tense middle-grade...

A beloved dog helps his human boy unmask the evil corporation bent on destroying their town. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

More to the story
Khan, Hena
Paper Book
From the critically acclaimed author of Amina's Voice comes a new story inspired by Louisa May Alcott's beloved classic, Little Women, featuring four sisters from a modern American Muslim family living in Georgia. When Jameela Mirza is picked to be feature editor of...

A retelling of Little Women starring a Pakistani Muslim American family living in modern-day Georgia. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

When you trap a tiger
Keller, Tae
Paper Book
WINNER OF THE NEWBERY MEDAL . WINNER OF THE ASIAN/PACIFIC AMERICAN AWARD FOR CHILDREN'S LITERATURE . #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Would you make a deal with a magical tiger? This uplifting story brings Korean folklore to life as a girl goes on a quest to unlock the power of...

A young teen girl learns about her family history through the power of stories when she goes to stay with her aging halmoni. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Lei and the fire goddess
Maunakea, Malia
Paper Book
"Lei and the Fire Goddess blends preteen angst and beloved Hawaiian moʻolelo in a way that hasn't been done before." -Auliʻi Cravalho, actress and voice of Disney's Princess Moana Curses aren't real. At least, that's what twelve-year-old, part...

A Hawai'ian teen whose lost interest in continuing her family's storytelling traditions must lift a family curse after insulting the volcano goddess, Pele. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Ghost book
Lai, Remy
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Spirited Away, Coco, and Ghosts comes a spooky fantasy graphic novel about the friendship between a girl who can see ghosts and a boy who is stuck between the worlds of the living and the dead. An Indie Bestseller! An Amazon,...

A girl who can talk to ghosts befriends a spirit during Hungry Ghost month in this funny graphic novel from Chinese Australian author Remy Lai. (Young Teen Graphic Novel Grades 5-7)

Theo Tan and the fox spirit
Sutanto, Jesse Q.
Paper Book
After inheriting a grieving fox spirit, a Chinese American boy must learn to embrace his heritage to solve the mystery of his brother's death in Jesse Q Sutanto's magical, action-packed middle grade fantasy, Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit. Theo Tan doesn't want a spirit...

A magical fox spirit helps a Chinese American boy investigate his brother's mysterious death. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

You are here : connecting flights
Oh, Ellen
Paper Book
A powerful and engaging exploration of contemporary Asian American identity through interwoven stories set in a teeming Chicago airport, written by award-winning and bestselling East and Southeast Asian American authors including Linda Sue Park, Grace Lin, Erin Entrada Kelly, Traci Chee, and...
Try a bunch of different Asian American authors in this book of short stories set in an airport, edited by We Need Diverse Books co-founder Ellen Oh. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

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