WOW Dozen: The Visibility of Asian and Asian American Stories in Young Readers’ Nonfiction Books
Asian American history and voices have long been rendered invisible in children’s and young adult literature, and nonfiction texts are no exception. This list brings together a range of nonfiction titles—including picturebooks, chapter books, informational texts and biographies—that offer renewed visibility for Asians and Asian Americans. These works foreground intersectional stories that challenge historical erasure and deepen collective memory. From the artistry of George Nakashima, Ruth Asawa and I. M. Pei to the athletic trailblazing of Wataru Misaka and the mountaineering achievements of Junko Tabei, these books highlight individuals whose creativity, resilience and courage reshaped their fields and expand how young readers understand the diverse contributions of Asian and Asian American communities.
George Nakashima’s life unfolds in haiku and prose, celebrating his journey from Pacific Northwest roots to crafting furniture that honors trees and inspires peace.
As the first Asian American professional basketball player, Wat Misaka uses his fatherʻs words, “gambatte” (do your best) when things get difficult.
Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Mount Everest in 1975, defied limits, led an all-women team, and devoted her life to protecting Earth’s wild beauty.
Set in mid-20th-century Tokyo, demae, a bicycle food delivery, balances towering trays of noodles, inspiring children who dream of becoming like them and celebrating the love of shared meals.
The art of Ruth Asawa, a Japanese American sculptor, blossomed from lines of hardship and hope during her incarceration in World War II.
George Takei recalls his childhood incarceration during World War II, portraying his family’s courage, resilience, and unwavering fight for justice.
A picturebook biography of how the Louvre’s modern glass pyramid was imagined and built highlighting the vision of Chinese American architect I. M. Pei and foregrounds the intersectionality of identity, creativity, and architectural innovation.
This picturebook shares the remarkable journey of Filipino immigrant Pedro Flores, whose creativity and entrepreneurial spirit transformed a simple toy into a cultural phenomenon in the United States.
The middle-grade nonfiction book uncovers the untold and untaught history of Chinese exclusion in the United States, guiding readers to confront past injustices while recognizing Chinese American resilience, activism, and enduring contributions.
The intergenerational story celebrates a grandfather’s ingenuity and the origins of Taiwan’s beloved ice pops, highlighting how family memory, entrepreneurship, and cultural pride shape everyday delights.
A collective biography highlights the often overlooked achievements of AAPI trailblazers across history, offering young readers powerful stories of resilience, creativity, and transformative leadership.
A compelling young readers’ adaptation that traces the sweeping, often overlooked history of Asian Americans, illuminating stories of migration, exclusion, activism, and cultural influence that have shaped, and continue to shape, the United States.
WOW Dozen features a list of 12 global books for children and adolescents around a theme, topic, issue or personal favorites. Each Dozen consists of ten newly-published titles with two older “must have” books. Please share or recommend additional books that fit the theme in the comments section or on social media using #WOWDozen. Use the printer icon in the upper left corner of this post to print or save this list as a PDF.
