Children's Booklist 2021: Diverse Books - Asian CharactersAges 3-12

The Name Jarby Yangsook ChoiAfter Unhei moves from Korea to the UnitedStates, she is anxious for her new classmatesto like her, so to find a name they can moreeasily pronounce, they decide to help her byfilling a glass jar with names for her to pickfrom.

Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queenby Debbi Michiko FlorenceA debut entry in a chapter book seriesfeaturing a spunky Japanese-Americanheroine finds messy 8-year-old JasmineToguchi wanting to do something unique inresponse to the fact that her older sisteralways gets to go first, a desire that leads toan opportunity during the mochi rice

preparations for New Year.

Eyes that Kiss in the Cornersby Joanna HoA young Asian girl notices that her eyes lookdifferent from her peers but by drawingfrom the strength of the powerful women inher life, she recognizes her own beauty anddiscovers a path to self-love andempowerment.

Hush!: A Thai Lullabyby Minfong HoA lullaby which asks animals, such as a lizard,monkey, and water-buffalo, to be quiet andnot disturb the sleeping baby.

Duck for Turkey Dayby Jacqueline JulesWhen Tuyet finds out that her Vietnamesefamily is having duck rather than turkey forThanksgiving dinner, she is upset until shefinds out that other children in her class didnot eat turkey either.

No Kimchi for Me!by Aram KimYoomi does not like the taste of spicykimchi, but when Grandma makes kimchipancakes, Yoomi considers changing hermind.

Stand Up, Yumi Chung!by Jessica KimReworking mortifying memories about herperpetual shyness and cross-culturalrealities into comedy gold, an aspiringcomedienne accidentally lands in a comedycamp under the instruction of a favoritecelebrity.

Inside Out & Back Againby Thanhha LaiThrough a series of poems, a young girlchronicles the life-changing year of 1975,when she, her mother, and her brothersleave Vietnam and resettle in Alabama.

Diverse Books - Asian CharactersAges 3-12

Bringing in the New Yearby Grace LinA Chinese American family prepares for andcelebrates the Lunar New Year.

The Year of the Dog: A Novelby Grace LinIt's the Chinese year of the dog! WhenPacy's mom tells her that this is a good yearfor friends, family, and "finding herself," Pacy,a Taiwanese American girl, begins searchingright away.

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping,Hiking, and Other NaturalDisastersby Lenore LookWhen Alvin's father takes him camping toinstill a love of nature, Alvin makes a newfriend and learns that he can be bravedespite his fear of everything.

Ruby Lu, Brave and Trueby Lenore LookBetween her protective parents, the bullydown the street, and her accomplishedbrother, eight-year-old Ruby Lu has got a lotof issues to sort through in her young life.

A Different Pondby Bao PhiBao Phi and his father wake up early in themorning to fish for food on the shores of asmall pond in Minneapolis and Bao's fathertells him about a different pond in theirhomeland of Vietnam.

Heart of a Samuraiby Margi PreusIn 1841, rescued by an American whaler after aterrible shipwreck, Manjiro, who dreams ofbecoming a samurai, learns new laws andcustoms as he becomes the first Japaneseperson to set foot in the United States.

Any Day with Youby Mae RespicioKaia aspires to win a filmmaking contest bymaking a movie inspired by Filipino folktalesin the hope of convincing her grandfather tostay in California and not move back to thePhilippines.

The Favorite Daughterby Allen SayTeased for her unusual name and half-Japanese ancestry, little Yuriko takes walksin Golden Gate Park and shares a sushilunch with her father, who encourages her tofind pride and inspiration in her uniqueness.

Mooncakesby Loretta SetoA little girl celebrates the Chinese MoonFestival with her parents who tell her threelegends about the moon while they eatmooncakes and drink tea.

I Live in Tokyoby Mari TakabayashiExperience a year-in-the-life of Momiko, aseven-year-old Japanese girl living in Tokyo,as she describes the sights and sounds ofher city, the food she enjoys eating, hernative celebrations, and more.

Front Deskby Kelly YangAfter emigrating from China, ten-year-oldMia Tang's parents take a job managing amotel, despite the nasty owner, Mr. Yao, whoexploits them, while she works the frontdesk and copes with fitting in at her school.

My Day with Gong Gongby Sennah YeeA day in Chinatown takes an unexpectedturn when a bored little girl makes aconnection with her grandpa.