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Best of the Best Booklist

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The Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) prepares an annual Best of the Best Booklist that celebrates stories from across the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) diaspora. All APALA members were invited to nominate picture book titles about AANHPI communities and experiences that were published in the previous calendar year. Members of the APALA Family Literacy Focus Committee evaluated the nominations against the APALA Rubric and curated the final list. Eligible titles that earned an APALA Literature Award or Honoree designation were automatically added to the Best of the Best Booklist. 

The titles depict diverse representations of heritages and cultures across the AANHPI diaspora. Some young readers may feel a personal connection to these stories, while other children will learn about lives different from their own and practice empathy. Educators, librarians, caregivers, and community members alike can refer to this list when purchasing new books, selecting titles for their young readers, and supporting educational learning and programming.

Best of the Best Lists

2023 – 2024

Access the print-friendly 2023 – 2024 Best of the Best List

Access the APALA Family Literacy Committee Recommended Picture Book List, includes the previous year’s book list and additional titles the committee believes will be a great addition to readers’ collections.

The 2024 APALA Best of the Best Booklist titles are: 

  • Awe-Samosas written by Marzieh Abbas, illustrated by Bhagya Madanasinghe, and published by Clarion Books. 9780063257276.

Noor doesn’t have all the ingredients to make her grandma’s samosas for her friends, so she has to problem-solve, get creative, and improvise with other materials to make awesome samosas.

  • The Mochi Makers written and illustrated by Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson, and published by Beach Lane Books. 9781665931540.

In this gentle, heartwarming story, a little girl makes mochi with her grandmother, learns about her family’s heirloom recipe, and shares trays of mochi with family, friends, and neighbors.

  • Aloha Everything written by Kaylin Melia George, illustrated by Mae Waite, and published by Red Comet Press. 9781636551128.

Through the medium of hula, a young girl learns the true meaning of aloha. Verses richly interspersed with the Hawaiian language and lush, eye-catching illustrations honor the beauty and vitality of the Hawaiian people, history, ecology, and folklore.

  • Memory Garden written by Zohreh Ghahremani, illustrated by Susie Ghahremani, and published by Godwin Books. 9781250843036.

A Persian grandmother teaches her granddaughter how to garden, reflecting on her childhood and the new garden they had to start after migrating.

  • Noor Needs to Know written by Farhana Islam, illustrated by Nabila Adani, and published by Salaam Reads. 9781665957854.

Noor is on a mission to learn why the women in her family wear hijabs. Through this journey, she discovers that their personalities and identities extend beyond their hijabs.

  • Box of Dreams written by Faith Kazmi, illustrated by Christine Almeda, and published by Harper. 9780063251366.

A little girl dreams of meeting the relatives her mom sends balikbayan boxes to in the Philippines, reflecting on how one can maintain family bonds no matter the distance.

  • Wat Takes His Shot: The Life & Legacy of Basketball Hero Wataru Misaka written by Cheryl Kim, illustrated by Nat Iwata, and published by Lee & Low Books Inc. 9781643796031.

The inspirational biography of Japanese American basketball star Wataru Misaka, the first person of color to play in the NBA.

  • Tala Learns to Siva written by Kealani Netane, illustrated by Dung Ho, and published by Orchard Books. 9781338859317.

Tala is resilient as she learns her family’s siva, a Samoan dance, supported by her family.

  • Simone written by Viet Thanh Nguyen, illustrated by Minnie Phan, and published by Minerva. 9781662651199.

When a fire breaks out and her family must evacuate, Simone learns about the power of community. This story celebrates helpers, from neighbors to incarcerated firefighters.

  • Seoul Food written by Erin Russell, illustrated by Tamisha Anthony, and published by Viking. 9780593464380.

Seoul Food celebrates a mixed family with Korean and Black American heritage. Food and cooking together bring the family closer, across distance and traditions.

  • Piper Chen Sings written by Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran, illustrated by Qin Leng, and published by Random House Studio. 9780593564691.

Piper loves to sing and gets stage fright when given a solo, but her grandmother’s stories of overcoming butterflies in her own help Piper conquer her own fears.

  • The Spice Box written by Meera Sriram, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat, and published by Alfred A. Knopf. 9780593427132.

Rishi reflects on his family’s spicy box’s history as he learns to cook with his father, discovering that cooking can be mastered through trial and error.

  • My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story written by George Takei, illustrated by Michelle Lee, and published by Crown Books for Young Readers. 9780593566350.

This true story follows a young George Takei and details his family’s experiences living in internment camps during WWII.

  • The House Before Falling Into the Sea written by Ann Suk Wang, illustrated by Hanna Cha, and published by Dial Books for Young Readers. 9780593530153.

When Kyung’s family opens their home to people seeking refuge during the Korean War, she must adjust to the upheaval and learn lessons about empathy, safety, and gratitude. 

  • The Rock in My Throat written by Kao Kalia Yang, illustrated by Jiemei Lin, and published by Carolrhoda Books. 9781728445687.

An autobiographical story of selective mutism and a young girl’s refusal to speak English after seeing how her immigrant parents are treated in their attempt to speak the language.

  • Caged written by Kao Kalia Yang, illustrated by Khou Vue, and published by Kokila. 9781984816368.

A daughter born in a Hmong refugee camp imagines a world beyond the camp, highlighting present-day refugee issues and their connection to the Asian American community.

  • Meena Can’t Wait written by Farida Zaman , and published by Orca Book Publishers. 9781459836396. 

Honoring intergenerational relationships and family traditions, a young girl eagerly awaits a day spent with her Nana learning how to make a special Bengali tea (dodo cha).

2023

The 2023 APALA Best of the Best Booklist titles are: 

  • A Dupatta is… written by Marzieh Abbas, illustrated by Anu Chouhan, and published by Feiwel and Friends. 9781250820945.

A little girl explores how a dupatta, a shawl, can be used for play, while also serving as a symbol of family, identity, and culture

  • Hiʻiaka and Panaʻewa : A Hawaiian Graphic Legend written by Gabrielle Ahuli’i, illustrated by Sarah Demonteverde, and published by Picture Window Books. 9781484672853.

This retelling of Hiʻiaka, the Hawaiian goddess of hula, and Panaʻewa, a mythical lizard, offers young readers an introduction to the world of graphic novels.

  • Quiet Time With My Seeya written and illustrated by Dinalie Dabarera, and published by Roaring Brook Press. 9781250824271.

A beautifully illustrated and endearing story about the special days a young child spends with her Sinhalese grandfather, her Seeya, despite their language barrier.

  • Ning and the Night Spirits written and illustrated by Adriena Fong, and published by Flying Eye Books. 9781913123161.

Shy Ning befriends a magical creature who introduces him to more magical friends. By discovering that these creatures are not scary, he learns to make friends and connect spirits with humans.

  • Last Flight written by Kristen Mai Giang, illustrated by Dow Phumuruk, and published by Levine Querido. 9781646140862.

Told from a child’s perspective, this story follows a family’s last days in Saigon as the Vietnam War ends and their journey to the United States.

  • Desert Queen written by Jyoti Rajan Gopal, illustrated by Svabhu Kohli, and published by Levine Querido. 9781646142620.

A majestic and mesmerizing biography of Queen Harish, a beloved Rajasthani drag performer. The story follows Harish through his dreams of dancing and how it transforms family tragedy into hope that captivates readers.

  • Two New Years written by Richard Ho, illustrated by Lynn Scurfield, and published by Chronicle Books LLC. 9781797212814.

This vibrant and welcoming New Year celebration invites readers to learn about Rosh Hashanah and Lunar New Year traditions and to reflect on the rich blends of cultures and traditions in their own lives.

  • Finding Papa written by Angela Pham Krans, illustrated by Thi Bui, and published  by Harper. 9780063060968.

At the end of the Vietnam War, Mai and her mother make the long journey from Vietnam, to a refugee camp, and eventually to the United States—with the hope that they will reunite with Mai’s papa again.

  • Summer Is For Cousins written by Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Abhi Alwar, and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers. 9781419757334.

Ravi can’t wait to spend summer vacation at the lake house with his family, especially his cousins. This picture book celebrates the resilient bond between extended family members.

  • Lolo’s Sari-Sari Store written by Sophia N. Lee, illustrated by Christine Almeda, and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 9781534494473.

A little girl recalls helping her grandfather at his shop, where she learns the importance of community. When she moves to America, she uses those lessons to make friends and build a sense of belonging in her new home.

  • The Truth About Dragons written by Julie Leung, illustrated by Hanna Cha, and published by Henry Holt and Company. 9781250820587.

A young boy explores a magical world conjured from his mother’s bedtime story. Mythic beings from eastern and western mythologies populate enchanted forests that unravel through lushly illustrated ink drawings. The stunning imagery and captivating storytelling pave an ingenious path toward exploring identity and the boy’s own mixed cultural heritage.

  • Scroll written and illustrated by Hui Li, and published by Little, Brown and Company. 9780316340731.

Embarking on an adventure, Lulu discovers that the Chinese characters her grandpa taught her have come to life. Lulu uses her calligraphy skills to fight a fire-breathing dragon.   

  • Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine written by Hannah Moushabeck, illustrated by Reem Madooh, and published by Chronicle Books. 9781797202051.

During bedtime, a father reminisces about his youth in Palestine, bringing to life the sights, sounds, and smells of Old Jerusalem for his daughters.

  • Bhangra Baby written by Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal, illustrated by Ani Bushry, and published by Beach Lane Books. 9781665936156.

Readers join Bhangra Baby in learning a popular Punjabi folk dance.

  • Maribel’s Year written by Michelle Sterling, illustrated by Sarah Gonzales, and published by Katherine Tegen Books. 9780063114357. 

Month by month, Maribel waits for her father to arrive from the Philippines to America, illustrating how family bonds can endure, no matter the distance.

  • Spicy Spicy Hot written and illustrated by Lenny Wen, and published by Little, Brown and Company. 9780316281027.

A funny story about one girl determined to embrace the spice of sambal in order to connect with her grandmother and heritage.

  • Waiting for Tomorrow written by Susan Yoon, illustrated by Julie Kwon, and published by Farrar Straus Giroux. 9780374390228.

A heartwarming story of two sisters, Haejin and Hanna. They try to make their favorite treat, hotteok, a brown sugar-filled Korean pancake, as a welcome home present for their father.

2022

Access the 2022 Best of the Best List

Resources

For more information about APIA literature, check out these resources: 

Contact 

Contact the Family Literacy Focus Committee at familyliteracy@apalaweb.org.