Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature · 2022

The 2022 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature

Watercress, Amina's Song and Last Night at the Telegraph Club won the 2022 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. Browse them alongside all 3 honor books, with ages and reading levels for each.

2022 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Winner · Picture Book
Watercress
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2021

Watercress

By Andrea Wang, Jason Chin (Illustrator)

A roadside discovery reveals a family's hidden heritage and unites past and present.

Newbery Honor (2022)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2021)Caldecott Medal (2022)CALA Best Book Award (Chinese American Librarians Association) (2022)Cybils Award (2021)Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (2022)
32 pages· 497 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.5/5 Goodreads · 5,998 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Summary: In Ohio, a young girl feels embarrassed when her immigrant parents stop to gather wild watercress. As her mother shares a poignant story from their past in China, the girl begins to understand the significance of their foraging. This journey into family history transforms her embarrassment into appreciation, creating a new, cherished memory. Discover how a simple act of gathering connects generations and uncovers the power of heritage.
2022 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Winner · Children's Literature
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

Amina's Song

Amina struggles to connect her two worlds after a life-changing trip.

288 pages· 43,950 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,206 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Summary: Amina returns from a transformative trip to Pakistan, eager to share her experiences. But her friends in Greendale seem uninterested, leaving her feeling disconnected. After a school presentation on Malala goes awry, Amina questions where she truly belongs. As she turns to songwriting, she finds solace in a new friendship with Nico, a fellow music lover. Can Amina bridge the gap between her two worlds and stay true to herself?
2022 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Winner · Young Adult Literature
Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2021

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

In 1950s Chinatown, two girls risk everything for forbidden love amid Red-Scare paranoia.

416 pages· 105,147 words· Est. 10 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 126,967 ratings
$13.99Save 4%
Summary: In 1954 San Francisco, Lily Hu discovers love and identity under the neon glow of the Telegraph Club. As she and Kath navigate their forbidden romance, they face the looming threat of Red-Scare paranoia and her father's potential deportation. Can their love survive in a world that demands conformity? This gripping tale of courage and self-discovery unfolds against the backdrop of historical upheaval, challenging societal norms and personal boundaries. Will Lily and Kath's love endure the pressures of a society not ready to accept them? Dive into a story where love defies the odds and history shapes destiny.
2022 Honor Books
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

Finding Junie Kim

Middle school racism challenges Junie to find her voice and courage through her grandparents' wartime stories.

368 pages· 73,575 words· Est. 8 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,785 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Summary: Junie Kim wants to blend in at school, but racist graffiti forces her to choose between silence and speaking out. A history project leads her to uncover her grandparents' harrowing Korean War experiences, revealing their resilience and compassion. As prejudice intensifies, Junie draws strength from their stories, discovering her own courage to confront injustice. Will she find her voice and make a difference?
Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2021

A Boy Named Isamu

A young artist sees the world anew, where stones and birds transform in his imagination.

31 pages· 330 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
3.8/5 Goodreads · 665 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Summary: Step into the world of young Isamu, a budding artist who sees magic in the mundane. As he wanders through markets, forests, and along the ocean, stones become birds and birds become stones. This journey through his imagination invites readers to see the world through an artist's eyes, where every object holds a secret waiting to be discovered. What wonders will Isamu uncover next?
Chapter Book · Ages 12–+ · 2020

We Are Not Free

Teens face injustice and upheaval during WWII incarcerations. Can unity withstand the storm?

365 pages
4.3/5 Goodreads · 12,987 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Summary: In WWII-era San Francisco, fourteen young Nisei face the upheaval of forced incarceration. As their community is torn from its roots, these teens must navigate a world of prejudice and uncertainty. Will their bonds endure the trials of injustice, or will the weight of history pull them apart? Discover their journey of resilience and unity in the face of overwhelming odds.
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Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Winners by Year

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