20 Children’s Books To Read by AAPI Writers and Illustrators

I love Ellen Oh and her fantasy series. Spirit Hunters is a deliciously chilling story about Harper Raine, the new 7th grader in town who must face down the dangerous ghosts haunting her younger brother.

Also check out Newbery Medal winner When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller, a gorgeous book based on Korean folklore about the perils of bargaining with tigers.

I love Grace Lin’s fantasy trilogy beginning with Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, the story of a young girl named Minli who sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family’s fortune.

And one of my favorite books published in 2020, A Wish In The Dark by Christina Soontornvat, is a Les Miserables-inspired fantasy set in Thailand about a boy named Pong who discovers that life outside of the prison he grew up in is no fairer than the one behind bars.

Check out A Different Pond by Bao Phi, illustrated by Thi Bui, a gorgeous book about a father and his son waking up in the early morning to fish.

I love Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho, a book that celebrates of Asian-shaped eyes.

Drawn Together by Minh Lê and illustrated by Dan Santat is a book I’ve given to so many friends. It’s a gorgeous story of a young boy and his grandfather and how they cross a cultural divide through art.

If your young readers love silly picture books, check out The Boring Book by Shinsuke Yoshitake, a book about that universal phrase: “I’m so bored!” (Another favorite of mine by Shinsuke Yoshitake is I Can Be Anything, which is hilarious!)

Hooray for Books! by Brian Won is a love letter to books by a turtle who has misplaced his absolute favorite story

I love the unique size of Bus! Stop! by James Yang, a funny story about trying to find the right bus.

Hello, Universe, the Newbery Medal winning book by Erin Entrada Kelly, is a story told in four points of view on one day where their lives intersect in surprising and important ways.

Checked by Cynthia Kadohata is one of my favorite middle grade books. It’s beautiful story about a boy who loves hockey who has to put aside lessons so his dog Sinbad can have cancer treatments.

The Way to Bea by Kat Yeh is a poignant book about a lonely seventh grader learning to find her way in the world.

Cilla Lee-Jenkins: Author Extraordinaire, the first book in a wonderful series by Susan Tan, is great for younger middle grade readers who are looking for a spunky, hilarious heroine.

For upper middle grade readers, I highly recommend Gene Luen Yang’s Dragon Hoops. This autobiographical graphic novel is about Gene’s time as a high school teacher and his friendship with the basketball coach and the Varsity basketball team, the Dragons.

This is one of my favorite graphic novels of all time! Jen Wang’s Stargazing is a beautiful story of a young girl who befriends her neighbor.

And finally, my favorite cat book! The Complete Chi’s Sweet Home by Konami Konata is a wonderful series about a young cat discovering the world.

Dragonwings was inspired by the story of a Chinese immigrant who created a flying machine in 1909, and his story touches on the struggles and dreams of Chinese immigrants navigating opportunity and prejudice in San Francisco.

Linda Sue is my hero, and I just adore all of her historical fiction books. A Single Shard is about a young boy who is tasked with bringing pottery from a master artisan to the Korean royal commission.

The Kite Fighters is set in 15th century Korea about two brothers with a passion for flying kites.

And finally, Prairie Lotus is about a half-Asian girl growing up in America’s heartland in 1880 facing deep rooted prejudice within the community she lives in.