Books by AAPI authors, stacks of books in front of bright orange background.

This Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrate and learn about different cultures by reading works from AAPI authors!

This collection of books to read for AAPI month features some of the most acclaimed Asian American & Pacific Islander authors’ books across all genres—from nonfiction memoirs to fantasy, there’s something for anyone!

Middle-Grade Books by AAPI Authors

If you’re looking for an exciting read suitable for an upper elementary or middle school student this May, consider one of these works by excellent Asian & Pacific Islander authors!

Listen, Slowly by Thanhhà Lại

Listen, Slowly coverIn Listen, Slowly, middle school Californian Mai’s summer plans at the beach get turned upside down by her parents, who decide to send her to Vietnam to be with her grandmother. While her parents think it’s a great opportunity for her to connect with her roots, Mai is less than pleased—the humid, mosquito-populated atmosphere in Vietnam isn’t quite the warmth of the beachside she wanted.

Mai accompanies her grandmother as she searches for the truth behind her husband’s disappearance during the Vietnam War, and this proximity to her family’s past blossoms an appreciation for her cultural identity. This heartfelt story from Thanhhà Lại is the perfect read as the weather warms up—readers love the immersive imagery of Vietnam and its people, as well as the way Mai learns to balance her California Girl ways with her Vietnamese heritage.

Lei and the Fire Goddess by Malia Maunakea

Lei and the Fire Goddess coverIf you’re looking for a duology (series of two books) to dive into this late spring, Malia Maunakea’s Lei and the Legends is a pair of fantasy gems you’ll love! In Lei and the Fire Goddess, the first in this duo, twelve-year-old Anna Leilani Kama’ehu travels to Hawai’i to visit her grandmother. The relaxing, touristy vacation she expects is turned onto its head when her friend is kidnapped by a giant hawk—a dilemma straight out of the folktales her grandmother is so fond of sharing.

Accompany Anna as she encounters demigods, mythic creatures, and traps laid by Pele—the goddess she had mistakenly provoked into taking her bestie. This exciting story (perfect for fans of the Percy Jackson series or Moana) takes the reader on a journey through Hawaiian mythology and self-discovery.

Midsummer’s Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca

Midsummer's Mayhem coverA contemporary retelling of Shakespeare’s famous comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Rajani LaRocca details sixth grader Mimi Mackson’s mysterious adventure to quell her chaotic community in Midsummer’s Mayhem. 

While you may have never read the original play this novel is based on, you’ll love the vibrant characters, hilarious mayhem, and baking-competition energy in this work of magical realism. Mimi explores her Indian-American background through baking and cuisine, attempting to find her place in the world as a child in a family of celebrated high-achievers. Don’t skip this treat of a tale—and come back to it when you do read A Midsummer Night’s Dream one day!

Any Day with You by Mae Respicio

any day with you coverIn Any Day with You, rising seventh-grader Kaia utilizes her artistic skills in an entry for a creative arts contest! Together with her friends in sunny California, Kaia works on a movie inspired by the Filipino folktales told by her great-grandfather, Tatang. Kaia hopes that winning the contest will help her find a way to stop her Tatang from moving back to the Philippines.

Any Day with You is a heartwarming look at the importance of family, storytelling, and connection to your heritage. Filipino readers especially feel represented by Mae Respicio’s writing, resonating with the protagonist and appreciating this illustration of Filipino-American culture. With themes of connection and compromise, this comforting read is a great way to welcome the upcoming summer vibes.

YA Novels by AAPI Authors

Want to dive into some writing about AAPI issues through a beloved coming-of-age novel? These YA reads from AAPI authors explore common experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islander teens through unique, captivating stories, often about characters’ relationships with their dual identities.

Almost American Girl by Robin Ha

almost american girl coverAn esteemed memoir in the form of a graphic novel, Almost American Girl follows Robin Ha’s experience unexpectedly moving from Seoul, Korea, the place she had lived her whole life, to Alabama—a stark cultural shift that occurred seemingly overnight. As a non-English speaker in an American high school who has been separated from her friends and uprooted from her home, Robin is angry with her mother as a result. 

She struggles to find her place in what feels like an entirely different life, but once she enrolls in a comic-drawing class, things start to look up—and Robin starts to form and accept her new identity. Readers love the emotional relationship between Robin and her mother, her characterization, and the beautiful watercolors illustrating this story.

This is Paradise: Stories by Kristiana Kahakauwila

this is paradise stories collection coverThis is Paradise: Stories is a fictional collection of tales about the real wonders and issues in modern-day Hawai’i. Author Kristiana Kahakauwila writes to explore the relationship between native Hawaiians, citizens, and tourists, showing audiences the hidden truth behind the reputation of the islands as a paradise for honeymoons and luxurious vacations.

These six stories detail characters from various backgrounds engaging with Hawaiian culture and people—from a young tourist on a dangerous mission, narrated by three groups of locals, to a native Hawaiian woman whose relationship becomes strained when she attempts to adopt a stray dog. From mysterious thrillers to sensitive portrayals of heartache and grief, these stories are beloved by readers for their authentic, illustrative look at this enamored, history-rich archipelago. 

American Panda by Gloria Chao

american panda coverSeventeen-year-old Mei stands out from her freshman class at MIT—skipping the fourth grade was just one part of her parents’ plan for her bright future, which culminates in a career as a doctor and a marriage to another Ivy League student who must also be Taiwanese. Living in the dorms, away from her family, surfaces the secrets she keeps from them: from her germaphobia to her crush on a non-Taiwanese classmate.

Torn between her parents’ expectations and her true self, Mei navigates the unknown—from reconnecting with her estranged brother to balancing both her Taiwanese and American identities. An impactful read for any college student to-be, American Panda is a fun, impactful read that’ll stay with you for years.

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

american born chinese coverAnother graphic novel perfect for those trying to spark a love of reading, American Born Chinese consists of three unique stories about three protagonists:

  • The Monkey King of Flower-Fruit Mountain, a powerful Kung Fu practitioner that longs for evolution.
  • Jin Wang, who faces school-wide ignorance and bullying as the only Chinese-American student in his school.
  • Danny, who gets embarrassed by the yearly visit of his cousin Chin-Kee—somebody who is entrenched in Chinese culture, so different from the image Danny has cultivated for himself.

While they may seem unrelated, these stories are deeply connected. Yang crafts a smart story that connects folklore to the modern world. If you want a touching story and mind-blowing climax for your next read, pick up American Born Chinese!

Contemporary Literature by AAPI Authors

If you’re a lover of contemporary fiction or want to branch out of YA literature this May, these are some of the best books by AAPI authors from the last few decades. 

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner 

crying in h mart coverOne of the most acclaimed modern books about the Asian American experience is Crying in H Mart, a 2021 memoir from the lead of Grammy-nominated indie pop artist Japanese Breakfast, Michelle Zauner. Zauner welcomes the reader to the intimate relationship she has with her mother, Chongmi, and the profound impact she and her death have on Zauner’s life. 

It begins with an essay about a shopping trip to H Mart in the throes of grief, reflecting on her mother as she purchases ingredients for a meal she had passed down to her. Crying in H Mart is a tragic story about maternal love, family expectations, Korean culture, and the power of food to strengthen bonds.

Severance by Ling Ma

severance coverLing Ma’s 2018 sci-fi novel Severance takes place in a fictional 2011, when a mysterious plague takes over the United States and the rest of the world. While most people take up remote work in the face of the Shen Fever pandemic, protagonist Candace Chen sees and experiences the gradual disintegration of American society from her in-office job at a Bible publishing company.

Only having distant relatives in her birthplace of Fuzhou, China, Candace does not feel the urge to move to be with family as many other immigrants do. Through this novel, Ma explores themes of immigration, nostalgia, and societal alienation through a post-apocalyptic story. Having experienced a global pandemic in your own life, this novel parallels our own world in some way—as you read, consider what the ideas and themes Ma presents mean in the context of our real, post-pandemic society.

Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn

sharks in the time of saviors coverOn a family vacation to Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i, first grader Nainoa (Noa) Flores is gently saved by a group of sharks after falling off a cruise ship into the ocean. Especially after Noa begins showing abilities, his family begins to believe that he’s been blessed by the ancient gods. The pressure of Noa’s superpowers put a strain on him and his family, engendering challenging consequences throughout their lives across the United States.

This idea of a cursed blessing is prevalent throughout mythology; author Kawai Strong Washburn explores this idea through the genre of magical realism, pondering the relationship between our modern world and the heritage of individuals. A spectacular tale culminating in a tragic, thrilling climax, readers interested in the intersection between mysticism and the modern world will love Sharks in the Time of Saviors.

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

Pachinko coverAn epic work of historical fiction, Pachinko by Min Jin Lee follows a Korean family’s experiences immigrating to and living in Japan. While we learn about her whole family, Sunja is the main character the story centers around—it is divided into three sections, each of which corresponds to one era of her lifetime.

With themes of discrimination, family, and power, Pachinko explores the Korean experience of Japan in the 20th century. Readers love the way Lee discusses wealth and class through food, exploring the cuisine of Korea, Japan, and across Eastern Asia. The novel’s title, Pachinko, is a reference to a popular arcade gambling machine from Japan—the randomness of the game (similar to western slot machines) parallels the unpredictable nature of life.

Improving your Reading & Writing Skills

We hope this collection of captivating stories from AAPI authors has inspired your next trip to the library or bookstore this May! Whichever genre of literature you prefer, reading about the perspectives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders this AAPI month is an excellent way to appreciate different cultures while improving your reading comprehension abilities

Want help improving your reading comprehension skills? Together with our full test prep courses for the SAT, ACT, and ISEE, Piqosity offers full, affordable online ELA and Math courses that you or your child can take for enrichment, remediation, or test prep! We offer the following English classes for grades 5 through 11:

Each online English Language Arts course includes topic lessons and reading passages, including nonfiction, short stories, and at least one full-length novel, each paired with reading comprehension questions and answer explanations. Plus, Piqosity’s adaptive learning software tracks your improvement and guides you through topics based on your strengths and weaknesses.

The best part? Try out all of Piqosity’s features with our free community account, which feature a free mini diagnostic exam to evaluate your current ELA skills. When you’re ready to upgrade, Piqosity’s year-long accounts start at only $89.

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