As kids graduate from their formative years to enter adolescence, finding their place in society can be a daunting task. Parents can help ease this process by introducing them to a list of six stories about youth, adventure, and self-acceptance, all launching this month! Check out the books below!
I Am Able to Shine, written by debut author Korey Watari and illustrated by her husband Mike Wu, follows a young Japanese American girl named Keiko as she channels her energy into strength and determination in an effort to embrace her identity and find her voice. This empowering story is inspired by Watari’s own experience growing up as an Asian American. Order it here!
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao revolves around Zazhary Ying, a young Chinese American unfamiliar with his Chinese heritage, and who almost got possessed by the First Emperor of China. The possession failed and the emperor was bound to Zack’s augmented reality gaming headset instead, leading to a battle in which his mom’s soul gets taken by demons. Zack embarks on a journey across China to seal the portal to the Chinese underworld and save his mom. Order it here!
Small Town Pride by Phil Stamper is a poignant coming-of-age story about Jake, his school’s first openly gay kid in a small Midwestern town of Barton Springs, Ohio. The story promotes self-acceptance and takes readers on a discovery of the true meaning of pride as it follows Jake’s journey to get approval from the town council, and the disapproving mayor, to hold the first pride parade festival in Barton Springs. Order it here!
Kiki Kallira Conquers a Curse is the sequel to Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom, both written by Sangu Mandanna. In this imaginative adventure, the titular Kiki Kallira has just discovered that the beautiful kingdom Mysore and the band of rebel kids she drew in her sketchbook exist in another world. One day, one of those rebel kids comes into the real world to ask for her help: Mysore’s only source of water, the Kaveri river, has disappeared. When she finds out drawing a new river doesn’t work due to a curse, Kallira then embarks on a journey to unravel the problem. Order it here!
The Blur by Minh Lê puts a unique twist on a superhero origin story as it revolves around The Blur, a kid blessed with superpower abilities (such as an ultrasonic voice, elastic limbs, and super-magnetic powers), as well as her parents’ efforts to keep up with her antics. Parents will surely relate to this story about the meaning of parenthood. Order it here!
Lia Park and the Missing Jewel by Jenna Yoo revolves around the titular 12-year-old Korean American girl Lia Park. In an effort to fit in and rebel against her parents, Park broke an ancient spell that protects her family from a diviner spirit. It then kidnapped and ransomed her parents for a powerful jewel protected by her family for generations. The story follows Park’s journey to redeem herself as she chases mysterious clues that take her to her grandmother’s home in Korea. Order it here!
Look for these books on Amazon or at your local bookstores!
