Meet Abukacha, who lives "in a village far, far away" with his family. "Everyone knew Abukacha because he had the biggest shoes in the whole wide world." After so many years of working and traveling, they're no longer made for walking, so Abukacha visits his...
Xiao Le – whose name means "little joy" –hasn't seen his grandmother in "a long time." When his mother announces an impending visit, Xiao Le is happy at the thought of riding a train, and the chance to share his toy truck with his grandmother. When mother...
What I know about cricket is not so much about how the game is actually played, but that it's a cultural phenomenon that can actually save lives. Two favorite Indian films come immediately to mind: Lagaan, which was Oscar-nominated for Best Foreign Language Film in 2002,...
Re Jane cleverly recasts Jane Eyre as a Korean American from Queens If nothing else, choosing to retell a revered classic as a first novel requires either supreme spunk or reckless fatuity. For Patricia Park – who happens to be a thesis-advisee and protégée of National...
CJ feels the rain, and plaintively asks his nana, "'How come we gotta wait for the bus in all this wet?’" Doesn't help that CJ's friend happens to drive right by with his dad in their own car. But never, ever underestimate Nana's wisdom because she knows exactly...
When Antonio goes to hear a mariachi band with his family, he can hardly take his eyes off the guitars. But his request for a guitarra is met with a frown as his Papa explains that he has "no money for such things." All he...
If we didn't have our grandmothers, we wouldn't have our mothers to appreciate today (and every day, ahem) ...
Found in Translation For a nation of immigrants, our literary preferences surely seem to lean toward xenophobic. Among American presses, translated titles make up a mere 3% of published titles. The statistics aren’t too different in the United Kingdom: “Some call it the two percent problem,...
Daughters of the Samurai profiles three remarkable women who influenced modern Japanese history Set aside ample time: You won’t welcome intrusions while reading this unprecedented, true story featuring young Japanese girls who arrived stateside without language or cultural training, and matured into three of the most...
"My Tata has been helping people feel better for as long as I can remember," young Aaron explains about his beloved grandfather. "He helps my family and me when we get hurt or feel sick. He helps the neighbors too. All anyone has to do is...
In case you've missed the recent headlines, Cuba has been in the news a lot: "We are separated by 90 miles of water, but are brought together through shared relationships and the desire to promote a democratic, prosperous, and stable Cuba," a recent official White...
Winner of the 2011 New Voices Award from innovative multi-culti press Lee & Low, journalist/new author Jennifer Torres’ Finding the Music hit shelves earlier this month. [In case you need the exact details, the original title was Live at the Cielito Lindo, the publisher is Children's Book Press – one...
By age 4, Liz Prince knew something important about herself: she could be "totally happy as long as [she] didn't have to wear a dress." Before you pass any judgments, Prince explains at age 31, "I look like a total tantrum-throwing brat, which I wasn't...
Orhan's Inheritance cleverly intertwines first love, ancient betrayal, secrets, and war crimes At age 8, Aline Ohanesian’s great-grandmother interrupted her seventh viewing of The Sound of Music with a promise: “I have a story, too.” That was the first and last time Ohanesian heard about her Nene’s...
Việt Thanh Nguyễn – Associate Professor at USC in English and American Studies – has a 25-page CV online that highlights countless publications, including articles, essays, book chapters, reviews, blog posts, commentaries, short stories, and more. His accomplishments are numerous: citations, awards, fellowships, etc. All...
April is National Poetry Month: do you know where your verses are? If you're looking for entertaining true love set to 5/7/5 syllabic meter, you won't do better than this adorable twosome...
This latest from Amit Chaudhuri (Freedom Song; The Immortals) offers minimal plot: a 22-year-old homesick Indian literature student and aspiring poet wakes in his shabby London studio, practices his singing, meets his university tutor, delivers his rent, and visits his uncle Radhesh, with whom he...
Sona's sister is getting married: "There is so much to do. Even I have a job!" Sona exclaims with excitement. Relatives from India have arrived, and so many more friends and family have all gathered, "turning our house into a festival." Amidst the ongoing hustle-bustle...
"I WISH YOU WOULD BOTH JUST DISAPPEAR!!!" What child hasn't at least thought that about their parents at some point?! If you're half-witch, and half-human, and you actually voice such words really loudly on your 10th birthday – cake candles and all – you just...
In real life, Linda Lavin (known to a certain generation as TV's Alice, also known to others for her almost-half-century of on-stage success) isn't quite as old as the titular Boston Girl, but she absolutely epitomizes the ideal narrator here. The year is 1985, and...
