This May, there may be an urge to acknowledge Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month by focusing solely on the recent surge of anti-Asian hate and violence. Instead, educators can use two powerful lenses to teach from that honor and celebrate AAPI identities.
Affirmation
All students deserve to feel affirmed. And all students especially need to see the racial and cultural identities affirmed of those that have been marginalized in society. To feel affirmed is to feel seen, important, valued, respected. It’s to feel as if you matter. Curriculum and teaching can make clear that AAPI students and communities matter — not only during the month of May, but all year long. Two questions to consider include: In what ways are Asian American and Pacific Islanders visible in the books students read and in the curriculum? Are Asian American and Pacific Islanders presented in dynamic ways that demonstrate their full humanity?
Awareness
Recently, educator and activist, Liz Kleinrock surveyed her 6th grade classroom to determine what they knew about Asian American Pacific Islander identities and history. One question included: “What do you think you know about Asian American history, identities or experiences?” The vast majority of her students expressed that they knew little to nothing. How many educators might respond similarly? Curriculum and teaching can provide students with access to learning about AAPI communities— their history, their present, their contributions and achievements, and the continued challenges they face due to racism and xenophobia. Two questions to consider include: In what ways does my teaching create space and opportunities for students to learn about the diversity of Asian American and Pacific Islanders that disrupts monolithic narratives? How does my teaching help students learn about the ways systemic and structural racism impacts AAPI communities, the resistance and resilience of AAPI communities, and how to be strong allies and accomplices?
The following resources can support intentions to create a vibrant learning community where AAPI voices are amplified and celebrated all year.
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2021 PBS Special: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month May Is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! After Atlanta: Teaching About Asian American Identity and History
#ownvoices books to celebrate during AAPI month and all year
This list is a sampling. Many of these authors have written additional titles. Please continue to read and research.
Picture Books
Laxmi’s Mooch Book by Shelly Anand I Dream of Popo by Livia Blackburne A is for Aloha: A Hawai'i Alphabet by U'ilani Goldsberry and Tammy Yee Kamala’s and Maya’s Big Idea by Meena Harris Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anna Kim Drawn Together by Minh Lê A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin Thanking The Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival by Grace Lin Moon Festival Wishes by Jillian Lin Mama's Saris Book by Pooja Makhija A Different Pond by Bao Phi My Footprints by Bao Phi Mela and the Elephant by Dow Phumiruk Festival of Colors by Surishtha Sehgal Thread of Love by Surishtha Sehgal When Lola Visits by Michelle Sterling Ojiichan's Gift by Chieri Uegaki Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuko Ando by Andrea Wang Watercress by Andrea Wang Apple Pie 4th of July by Janet S. Wong Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji by Farhana Zia
Chapter Books, Novels, & Nonfiction
Fred Korematsu Speaks Up by Laura Atkins and Stan Yogi Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani Yasmin by Saadia Faruqui The Whole Story of Half a Girl by Veera Hiranandani The Night Diaries by Veera Hiranandani Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata Kira Kira by Cynthia Kadohata The Thing About Luck by Cynthia Kadohata More to the Story by Hena Khan Book Uncle and Me by Uma Krishnaswami The Problem With Being Slightly Heroic by Uma Krishnaswami Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhhà Lai Listen, Slowly by Thanhhà Lai A Place Where Sunflowers Grow by Amy Lee-Tai Where The Mountain Meets The Moon by Grace Lin Starry River of The Sky by Grace Lin When The Sea Turned to Silver by Grace Lin Passage To Freedom: The Sugihara Story by Ken Mochizuki Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat The Bracelet by Yoshiko Uchida Dear America: The Story of An Undocumented Citizen by Jose Vargas Stargazing by Jen Wang Front Desk by Kelly Yang Three Keys by Kelly Yang Dragonwings by Laurence Yep
YA
The Marvelous Mirza Girls by Sheba Karim Love, Hate, and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed Internment by Samira Ahmed I Was Their American Dream by Malaka Gharib We Are Totally Normal by Rahul Kanakia The Marvelous Mirza Girls by Sheba Karim Butterfly Yellow by Thanhhà Lai A Thousand Beginnings and Endings, edited by Ellen Oh Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay This Time Will Be Different by Misa Sugiura They Called Us Enemy by Geroge Takei American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang Parachutes by Kelly Yang