May 5, 2021
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and there are many official events and tributes happening around the country to celebrate the contributions and achievements of the AAPI community. However, it’s also important that the activities we attend and media we consume throughout the entire year reflect a wide variety of experiences, including a diverse selection from the AAPI community. To that end, we have collected 16 books for children and teens that center the AAPI experience in different ways, but this is just a taste. Feel free to put your favorite books that focus on the AAPI community in the comments.
by Bao Phi; illustrated by Basia Tran
In this snowy yet colorful picture book, little Thuy uses her imagination to recover from a bullying incident at school, with help from her two mothers. Ages 4 to 7.
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by Asma Mobin-Uddin; illustrated by Barbara Kiwak
Bilal tries to hide his Muslim identity at his new school while his sister, Ayesha, is harassed for wearing a head scarf. A book, persuades Bilal to embrace his faith publicly and gives him the courage to stand up to the school bully. Ages 6 to 9.
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by Thanhha Lai
This novel in verse spends a year with 10-year-old Ha and her family as they flee war-torn Saigon and start a new life in Alabama. Ha weathers bullying from classmates for her appearance and limited English skills until she pushes back. Ages 9 to 12.
Top books, video, and audiobooks for children and young adults revealed at ALA Midwinter Virtual January 25, 2021
On January 25, the American Library Association (ALA) announced the top books, digital media, video, and audiobooks for children and young adults including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery, and Printz awards at its Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits taking place virtually from Chicago.
A list of all the 2021 award winners follows:
John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature:
When You Trap a Tiger, written by Tae Keller, is the 2021 Newbery Medal winner. The book is published by Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House.