By Yoo Kyung Sung, University of New Mexico, and Junko Sakoi, Tucson Unified School District

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.

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.​

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• Themes: Alex Shibutani, Anita Yasuda, Carl Angel, Caroline McAlister, Charlotte Cheng, Cheryl Kim, Christina Soontornvat, Dion MBD, Erika Lee, Ever Up!, Exclusion and the Chinese American Story, George Takei, Glass Pyramid, Gracey Zhang, Holly Thompson, Icy Fruit, Incredible, Jamie Green, Jeanne Walker Harvey, Junko Sakoi, Khoa Le, Kyo Maclear, Line Can Go Anywhere, Listening to Trees, Made in Asian America, Maia Shibutani, Michelle Lee, My Lost Freedom, Nat Iwata, Noodles on a Bicycle, Pedro’s Yo-Yos, Rob Peñas, Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn, Toshiki Nakamura, Up, Vivian Mineker, Wat Takes His Shot, Yoo Kyung Sung, Yuko Shimizu
• Descriptors: WOW Dozen