8 New YA Books Featuring AANHPI Voices

Arvyn Cerezo is a writer and reporter focusing on arts and culture, with articles featured in various publications such as Book Riot, Publishers Weekly, South China Morning Post, Philstar lifethe Asian Review of Books, and more. You can visit their website at arvyncerezo.com or find them on Bluesky @arvyncerezo.com.

Penguin Young Readers invites you to enjoy a variety of stories throughout the year, from romance and thrillers to fantasies, in celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Following the recent election and return of the previous president, discrimination against Asians in America has escalated, putting individuals of Asian descent at risk of racism and violence due to the current president’s hostile rhetoric and policies against them. This mistreatment has been ongoing since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to threats and violence against Asians during the president’s term.

As we commemorate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage month in May, let’s take this opportunity to uplift these marginalized communities by showcasing some of their literary works. Below, a curated list of young adult books spanning various genres features seven authors with Asian roots and one from the Pacific Islands. While the list predominantly includes Asian authors, there is a call for increased representation of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander writers in English publications.

The list includes a mix of fantasy novels with Chinese mythology, stories exploring the challenges faced by young Asian immigrants, narratives of young Asians navigating love and identity, and a fantasy tale centered around a strong heroine seeking vengeance against colonizers. Additionally, one author is identified as Aboriginal Australian, classified as Pacific Islanders by the U.S. census, despite Aboriginal Australians not residing in the Pacific Islands.

While there is a wealth of upcoming YA literature from authors of color, the article presents eight new YA books amplifying AANHPI voices. Each book synopsis provides a glimpse into the diverse narratives and themes explored by these authors.