AdLit.org is a national multimedia project offering information and resources to the parents and educators of struggling adolescent readers and writers. AdLit.org is an educational initiative of WETA, the flagship public television and radio station in the nation's capital, and is funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York and by the Ann B. and Thomas L. Friedman Family Foundation.
Asian Pacific American Heritage
Since 1978, Asian Pacific American Heritage has been celebrated in America, first with a week, now with the entire month of May. So many books featuring Asian Americans have been published in the last few years, including several Printz and Newbery winners.
Eyes of the Emperor
Age Level: 14-16
Japanese Americans in Hawaii during World War II identified themselves as Americans, but their fellow enlisted soldiers didn't necessarily see them that way. In this historical novel, Eddy and his friends join the Army to defend their country, only to be the victims of vicious discrimination by their commanders.
She's So Money
Age Level: 12-14
Maya is a good student, and a good worker at her family's restaurant. She's so good at things she's asked to tutor hot jock Camden and mind the restaurant while her family goes out of town. But one thing leads to another, and not in a good way, in this hilarious, quick read.
Kira-Kira
Age Level: 12-14
Two Japanese American sisters grow up in post World War II America in this Newbery winning book. Katie is the little sister to Lynn, and Lynn is her mentor and friend. When Lynn develops a terminal illness, Katie must try to keep her spirit alive and "kira-kira." This is also a wonderful audiobook.
Yell-Oh Girls : Emerging Voices Explore Culture, Identity and Growing Up Asian American
Age Level: 16-18
This collection of 80 pieces by Asian-American teen girls and young women is interspersed with essays by well known Asian American female authors. The essays express their feelings about being Asian American. Asian American girls will particularly find this insightful, but all will find it enlightening.
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
Age Level: 14-16
This non-fiction account of a medical crisis in the Hmong community is as compelling as any novel. When baby Lia is born to a Hmong family, she shows signs of possibly epilepsy. Conflicting medical opinions between the traditional Hmong and the American medical establishment show that neither side is completely right.
Necessary Roughness
Age Level: 12-14
Korean-American teens Chan and Young move from diverse Los Angeles to a small, all-white town in Minnesota. They experience racism, and are embarrassed by their parents, but things seem to look up once Chan becomes a successful member of the football team. But his biggest hurdle is yet to come.
The Regifters
Age Level: 12-14
Korean-American teen Dixie is the best hapkido artist in her dojo, and should easily win the city competition. That is, if she can get Adam out of her mind. How Dixie gets her mojo back is the focus of this slim graphic novel.
Kotuku
Age Level: 14-16
Wim lives in Cape Cod, where she drowns her sorrows in a riding stable. But something keeps drawing her to New Zealand — from visions of a tattooed Maori tribesman, to the New Zealander who comes to research Wim's ancestors. Ghostly visions, family relations, and a hint of romance are woven through this ethereal novel.
Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time
Age Level: 9-12
Stanford flunks English and is forced to go to summer school instead of his beloved basketball camp. What makes it worse is Millicent Min, girl genius, is brought in to act as his tutor. This is a very funny book that will especially appeal to boys.
A Step from Heaven
Age Level: 14-16
Young Yu is only four years old when she takes an airplane from Korea to California, feeling she is only "a step from Heaven." Her narration subtly matures as she grows into a capable young woman, ready to go off to college in this sophisticated, moving first novel. Winner of the "Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature" in 2002.
American Born Chinese
Age Level: 9-12
Three storylines — contemporary and mythic — intersect in this tale of a boy who is not comfortable with his culture or himself. This fresh, sometimes surprising, revealing novel is told in image and text. This graphic novel was the first of its format to win the Printz Award for best work of Young Adult Literature.
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