High-quality Asian American and Pacific Islander Books (AAPI) help build and affirm a child’s identity and culture. Lee & Low Books is proud to be a 100% Asian American-owned company, and we commit to publishing books by AAPI creators that illuminate America’s history of Asian American discrimination alongside books that celebrate AAPI contributions.
Our new AAPI Book List is digitally interactive, printable, and features some of our most popular award-winning AAPI titles for grades Pre-K through 12.
We’ve highlighted a few of our favorite titles from the list below. You can find all of the titles in our newly designed list here.
Grades PreK-2
Bonnie’s Rocket written by Emeline Lee, illustrated by Alina Chau
“In a fresh perspective on events that changed the universe, Bonnie’s Rocket reveals to readers that STEM is at its most powerful when it is personal.”—Andrea Beaty, New York Times bestselling author of Rosie Revere, Engineer
A Skipping Stones Honor Award Recipient
Seven Golden Rings written by Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan
⭐ “Succeeds both as an entertaining read-aloud and as a teasing introduction to the binary system.” — Booklist, starred review
A Skipping Stones Honor Award Recipient
Grades 3-5
The Turtle Ship written by Helena Ku Rhee, illustrated by Colleen Kong-Savage
⭐ “A great mix of myth and history for most picture book collections.” — School Library Journal, starred review
Mama and Papa Have a Store (also available in Spanish) written and illustrated by Amelia Lau Carling
A young girl describes what a typical day is like in her parents’ Chinese store in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Also available in Spanish.
A Pura Belpré Honor Title and a Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People
Grades 6-8
Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame written by Supriya Kelkar
⭐ “A historical, timely, and informative story that is full of heart.” — School Library Journal, starred review
A New Visions Award Winner, a Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, and Amelia Bloomer Book List Title
The Story of Olympic Swimmer Duke Kahanamoku written by Ellie Crowe, illustrated by Richard Waldrep
Meet Duke Kahanamoku, the six-time Olympic swimming champion and a legendary surfer who popularized surfing around the world.
Grades 9-12
Rebel Seoul written by Axie Oh
⭐ “Equal parts K-drama (Korean drama) and sci-fi blockbuster, Oh blends futuristic tech, authentic Korean culture, and romance in this complex, utterly engrossing, and wholly fresh story that is sure to entice a wide array of readers.” — Booklist, starred review
The Magnolia Sword written by Sherry Thomas
⭐ “Rich cultural references, intricate political machinations, and thrilling Wuxia elements distinguish this deftly woven Mulan retelling by Thomas, who was born and raised in China.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review
For an even more extensive list of AAPI titles or to build out an AAPI customized collection for your school or library, please contact Katie Potter, Senior Literacy Manager, at kpotter@leeandlow.com for more information.
