Char Siu Bao Boy by Sandra S. Yamate, illustrated by Joyce M.W. Jenkin [in What Do I Read Next? Multicultural Literature]
Charlie’s favorite food was char siu bao, a Chinese barbecue pork filled bun. He ate these buns every day, but the other students made fun of him. So he tried...
Ashok, a young Indian American boy, wishes he had a more "American" name. So each day, Ashok tries a new moniker, from Tom to Walter to Frances, until...
Young Ernie is about to experience the most important day of his life. He will perform his first Lion Dance through the streets of New York City’s Chinatown, as part of the Chinese New...
Young Takashi hears wonderful stories about a joyous holiday called Christmas from his sister Kaya. As the day approaches, the two create beautiful decorations. On Christmas Eve, they decorate their mean, reclusive...
Ming Miao tells her five kittens about their famous ancestor, Sagwa of China, who one day, during mischievous play, falls into the inkpot and walks all over the Foolish Magistrate’s dreaded Scroll...
Young Ut recently arrived in the U.S. from Vietnam with her siblings and father, but the family still waits for their mother. Ut’s new life is difficult, as other students...
Square Beak is aptly named for her square-shaped beak. Because she looks different from the other chickens in the yard, she is ostracized. She wanders outside her small world, and becomes famous for the...
Young Sachiko is frustrated about having to spend time with her elderly grandmother, with whom she shares the same name, who no longer even recognizes her. Sachiko comes to understand what has...
Just before the end of World War II, the Sakane family is released from internment camp and sent to live briefly in Salt Lake City. When they are finally allowed to return to their...
With the advent of World War II, Yuki’s family is separated and imprisoned. Her father is taken away by the FBI, and the rest of the family is eventually shipped to Camp...
Determined to become an artist, young Sei Koichi convinces the famous cartoonist Noro Shinpei to take him on as an apprentice. Under Sensei’s (Japanese for "teacher") nurturing tutelage, he receives a new name, Kiyoi,...
Yingmei Yang wants to "be American." She’s changed her name to Mary, keeps a notebook of American slang, and tries her best to make friends at school. But she realizes that fitting...
At 15, young Megumi is left behind to live with her cold father and difficult grandmother when her desperately unhappy mother suddenly leaves the family. In Japan, tradition dictates that children must remain with...
Gay-Neck, an especially talented pigeon, is the pride of his owner, a young Indian boy from Calcutta. The bird spends a summer in the Himalayan mountains, honing his skills, and eventually proves to be a hero...
Alice Larsen is a popular seventh-grade cheerleader. Then Yoon Jun Lee arrives from Korea, and Alice’s father wants her to be his friend. Although...
It’s senior year in high school and Ellen understandably wants to spend time with her friends, but her parents expect her to study even more she can get into Harvard. Ellen must...
Ellen has left her small hometown for Harvard University, where she becomes good friends with her African American roommate and finds new friends among the Korean American students. She comes face-to-face with the reality...
Shirley Temple Wong, with her new American name, arrives in her new American home. But making friends proves difficult. She...
Stella Kim can’t understand how Eileen, once her best friend, can now be so mean-spirited. Stella’s other friend Rachel doesn’t understand why Stella won’t speak up for herself. Little by little, Stella finds her own unique...
Sookan, the protagonist from