Graphic Novels: Asian Pacific Heritage

The Tryout

These stunning graphic novels for young people tell all kinds of stories about topics such as sports, adventure, and friendship. Many highlight the experience of moving to a new home, learning a new language, and navigating multiple cultures. In addition, a number of the titles address difficult chapters of history, such as the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Almost American Girl

Illustration of a tween looking over her shoulder
By: Robin Ha
Age Level: Middle Grade

For as long as she can remember, it’s been Robin and her mom against the world. Growing up as the only child of a single mother in Seoul, Korea wasn’t always easy, but it has bonded them fiercely together. So when a vacation to visit friends in Huntsville, Alabama unexpectedly becomes a permanent relocation — following her mother’s announcement that she’s getting married — Robin is devastated. Overnight, her life changes. She is dropped into a new school where she doesn’t understand the language and struggles to keep up.

American Born Chinese

American Born Chinese
Age Level: Middle Grade

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. While author Gene Luen Yang says American Born Chinese is not strictly autobiographical, he does say that he pulled from his own life for inspiration. This graphic novel was the first of its format to win the Printz Award for best work of Young Adult Literature.

Displacement

Young girl looking at internment camp

Kiku is on vacation in San Francisco when suddenly she finds herself displaced to the 1940s Japanese-American internment camp that her late grandmother, Ernestina, was forcibly relocated to during World War II. These displacements keep occurring until Kiku finds herself "stuck" back in time. Living alongside her young grandmother and other Japanese-American citizens in internment camps, Kiku gets the education she never received in history class.

Fred Korematsu Speaks Up

Fred Korematsu Speaks Up
Illustrated by: Yutaka Houlette
Age Level: Middle Grade

From School Library Journal: "A compelling blend of free verse, expository text, and artwork illuminates the life and times of Japanese American activist Fred Korematsu. Growing up in Oakland, the child of Japanese immigrants, Korematsu was a typical American kid, joining the Boy Scouts and dancing to big band music.

Green Lantern: Legacy

Green Lantern: Legacy
By: Minh Lê
Illustrated by: Andie Tong
Age Level: Middle Grade

Thirteen-year-old Tai Pham lives in the apartment above his grandmother's store, where his bedroom is crammed with sketchpads and comic books. But not even his most imaginative drawings could compare to the colorful adventure he's about to embark on. When Tai inherits his grandmother's jade ring, he soon finds out it's more than just a piece of jewelry. Suddenly he's inducted into a group of space cops known as the Green Lanterns. He is about to learn that being a superhero takes more than just a ring.

Hi'iaka and Pana'ewa: A Hawaiian Graphic Legend

Hi'iaka and Pana'ewa: A Hawaiian Graphic Legend
Illustrated by: Sarah Demonteverde
Age Level: 6-9

Hi'iaka wants to make the forests of Hawai'i safe for travelers. But she'll have to battle an evil lizard named Pana'ewa and his army to do it. With a little help from her sister and some special powers, she's ready for a great battle. With engaging text and easy-to-follow panels, Discover Graphics: Global Folktales are perfect for graphic novel fans new and

Ichiro

Young man standing in front of landmarks in Japan
Age Level: Young Adult

Raised by his Japanese mother, Ichiro idolizes his dead American father, and struggles to fit in. When his mother decides to visit Japan, Ichiro is left with his grandfather, in a country he doesn’t know. Grandfather becomes Ichi’s guide, sharing Japan with him. But one night, a monster drags Ichi away — into the domain of the gods! Now, he must face his fears and learn about the nature of man, of gods, and of war. He also learns there are no easy answers — for gods or men.

Jukebox

Two girls near a jukebox
Age Level: Middle Grade

A mysterious jukebox, old vinyl records, and cryptic notes on music history are Shaheen's only clues to her father's abrupt disappearance. She looks to her cousin, Tannaz, who seems just as perplexed, before they both turn to the jukebox which starts…glowing? Suddenly, the girls are pulled from their era and transported to another time! Keyed to the music on the record, the jukebox sends them through decade after decade of music history, from political marches to landmark concerts. But can they find Shaheen’s dad before the music stops?

Lost & Found: Based on a True Story

Young girl in front of new school
By: Mei Yu
Age Level: 6-9, 9-12

Being the new kid in school is scary enough. But imagine what it would be like if you were the new kid in a new school, in a new country. That’s exactly the situation Mei Yu finds herself in when her family moves from China to Canada. As she navigates her new school, she discovers a unique way to learn English and makes a new friend along the way in this heartwarming story based on the author's own experiences.

Lunar New Year Love Story

Lunar New Year Love Story
Age Level: Young Adult
Language: Spanish

Val is ready to give up on love. It's led to nothing but secrets and heartbreak, and she's pretty sure she's cursed ― no one in her family, for generations, has ever had any luck with love. But then a chance encounter with a pair of cute lion dancers sparks something in Val. Is it real love? Could this be her chance to break the family curse? Or is she destined to live with a broken heart forever?

Mabuhay!: A Graphic Novel

Mabuhay!: A Graphic Novel

First-generation Filipino siblings JJ and Althea struggle to belong at school. JJ wants to fit in with the crowd, while Althea wants to be accepted as she is. To make matters worse, they have to help their parents run the family food truck by dressing up as a dancing pig and passing out samples. Ugh! And their mom is always pointing out lessons from Filipino folklore — annoying tales they've heard again and again.

Measuring Up

Illustration of tween cooking
Illustrated by: Ann Xu
Age Level: 9-12, Middle Grade

Twelve-year-old Cici has just moved from Taiwan to Seattle, and the only thing she wants more than to fit in at her new school is to celebrate her grandmother, A-má's, seventieth birthday together. Since she can't go to A-má, Cici cooks up a plan to bring A-má to her by winning the grand prize in a kids’ cooking contest to pay for A-má’s plane ticket! There’s just one problem: Cici only knows how to cook Taiwanese food. And after her pickled cucumber debacle at lunch, she’s determined to channel her inner Julia Child.

Parachute Kids #1: A Graphic Novel

Young girl between parents
Age Level: 9-12, Middle Grade

Feng-Li can't wait to discover America with her family! But after an action-packed vacation, her parents deliver shocking news: They are returning to Taiwan and leaving Feng-Li and her older siblings in California on their own. Suddenly, the three kids must fend for themselves in a strange new world--and get along.

Parachute Kids #2: Outsider Kids

Outsider Kids
Age Level: 9-12, Middle Grade

After seven months on their own as undocumented immigrants, the Lin siblings have settled into their new lives in California. Sis has a new job, Bro has a new crush, and Feng-Li (Ann) is excited to celebrate her eleventh birthday with her new friends. Their parents still await visa approval in Taiwan, so the trio is trying to take better care of one another and stay under the radar of immigration authorities. But when their cousin Josephine ― a violin prodigy ― arrives with her privilege and demands, suddenly their world is turned upside down.

Pie in the Sky

Boy giving side-eye to another boy eating slice of pie.
By: Remi Lai
Illustrated by: Remi Lai
Age Level: Middle Grade

When Jingwen moves to a new country, he feels like he’s landed on Mars. School is torture, making friends is impossible since he doesn’t speak English, and he's often stuck looking after his (extremely irritating) little brother, Yanghao.

Stargazing

Drawing of two children looking at stars and one kid is holding a book.
By: Jen Wang
Age Level: Middle Grade

Moon is everything Christine isn't. She’s confident, impulsive, artistic . . . and though they both grew up in the same Chinese-American suburb, Moon is somehow unlike anyone Christine has ever known.

Superman Smashes the Klan

Superman Smashes the Klan
Illustrated by: Gurihiru
Age Level: Middle Grade

The year is 1946. Teenagers Roberta and Tommy Lee just moved with their parents from Chinatown to the center of Metropolis, home to the famous hero, Superman. Tommy makes friends quickly, while Roberta pines for home. Then one night, the family awakens to find their house surrounded by the Klan of the Fiery Kross! Superman leaps into action, but his exposure to a mysterious green rock has left him weak. Can Roberta and Tommy help him smash the Klan?

The Tryout: A Graphic Novel

Young girl in front of a team
Illustrated by: Joanna Cacao
Age Level: 9-12, Middle Grade

When cheerleading tryouts are announced, Christina and her best friend, Megan, literally jump at the chance to join the squad. As two of the only kids of color in the school, they have always yearned to fit in ― and the middle school cheerleaders are popular and accepted by everyone. But will the girls survive the terrifying tryouts, with their whole grade watching? And will their friendship withstand the pressures of competition?

They Called Us Enemy

Drawing of a boy looking at reader while in line to enter a "relocation center.".
Illustrated by: Harmony Becker
Age Level: Middle Grade
Language: Spanish

George Takei has captured hearts and minds worldwide with his captivating stage presence and outspoken commitment to equal rights. But long before he braved new frontiers in Star Trek, he woke up as a four-year-old boy to find his own birth country at war with his father's -- and their entire family forced from their home into an uncertain future.

Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves

Girl standing among skyscrapers
By: Ruth Chan
Age Level: Middle Grade

Ruth Chan loves her hometown in Toronto, hanging out with her best friends for life, and snacking on ketchup flavored potato chips, which are the best. What Ruth doesn’t love is having to move to Hong Kong after her dad gets a new job there. Her mom is excited to reunite with her family, but it’s not the same for Ruth. In Hong Kong, her classes are harder, her Cantonese isn’t good enough, and her parents are never around. Ruth feels lonely and completely uprooted.

We Are Big Time: A Graphic Novel

We Are Big Time
By: Hena Khan
Illustrated by: Safiya Zerrougui
Age Level: 9-12, Middle Grade

Aliya is new to Wisconsin, and everything feels different than Florida. The Islamic school is bigger, the city is colder, and her new basketball team is… well, they stink. Aliya’s still excited to have teammates (although Noura's not really Aliya's biggest fan) and their new coach really understands basketball (even if she doesn't know much about being Muslim.) This season should be a blast...if they could just start to win.