Books About Japanese Americans · 68 titles considered

The Best Japanese Americans Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about japanese americans? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Japanese Americans

They Called Us Enemy
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1899
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2019

They Called Us Enemy

By George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, Harmony Becker (Illustrator)

A boy's childhood unfolds in WWII American camps, questioning identity and resilience.

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (2020)
204 pages· 12,726 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.4 Goodreads · 57,646 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: George Takei's childhood is upended when his family is forced into WWII American camps. As a young boy, he navigates the harsh realities of life behind barbed wire, grappling with questions of identity and justice. His mother's sacrifices and father's unwavering belief in democracy shape his future. How does one find hope in a world of legalized racism? This graphic memoir explores the courage and resilience needed to redefine what it means to be American. Join Takei on a journey through history that challenges the very essence of freedom and belonging.
Mochi Queen
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2017

Mochi Queen

By Debbi Michiko Florence, Elizabet Vukovic (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Jasmine Toguchi series

Jasmine defies tradition to pound mochi before her sister. Can she succeed?

128 pages· 10,033 words· Est. 2 hour read
5.3/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,175 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Eight-year-old Jasmine Toguchi is determined to do something special before her sister. As her family prepares for New Year's, Jasmine plans to break tradition by pounding mochi rice with the men. But the task is harder than it seems, and it's usually reserved for boys. Can Jasmine prove herself and make her mark before the celebration begins?
Generation Misfits
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

Generation Misfits

By Akemi Dawn Bowman

A girl finds friendship and faces hidden struggles through J-Pop.

352 pages· 71,579 words· Est. 10 hour read
4.0 Goodreads · 181 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Millie, a Japanese-American girl, starts at a new school and joins a J-Pop band, hoping for friendship. As she bonds with fellow misfits, she discovers one friend's silent struggle. Can Millie help when words fail? Dive into a tale of music, friendship, and unspoken challenges.
Paper Wishes
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2016

Paper Wishes

By Lois Sepahban

A girl clings to hope as her family is uprooted during wartime.

192 pages· 28,265 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.0 Goodreads · 3,572 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In 1942, young Manami's world shatters when her Japanese American family is forced from their home to a desert internment camp. Heartbroken over leaving her dog, Yujiin, behind, Manami secretly hopes for his return. As she grapples with loss and guilt, can she find a way to heal and reunite her fractured family?
Kira-Kira
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 12–15 · 2004

Kira-Kira

By Cynthia Kadohata

A sister's illness challenges Katie to find hope in a world that seems to dim without her light.

Newbery Medal (2005)Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (2006)
291 pages· 44,276 words· Est. 4 hour read
4.0 Goodreads · 28,543 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Katie Takeshima's world is illuminated by her sister Lynn's unique perspective, making everything seem glittering. But when Lynn falls gravely ill, Katie must navigate the challenges of their new life in Georgia and hold her family together. Can she find the kira-kira, the sparkle, in a future that seems uncertain? As Katie learns to see beyond the immediate struggles, she discovers the enduring power of hope and resilience. Will she succeed in reminding her family of the beauty that still exists, even in the darkest times?
The Thing About Luck
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2013

The Thing About Luck

By Cynthia Kadohata, Julia Kuo (Illustrator)

Summer must change her family's luck to save them during a challenging harvest season.

National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2013)Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (2014)
270 pages· 48,300 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
3.7 Goodreads · 5,385 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Summer faces a year of misfortune when her parents are called away, leaving her to manage the harvest with her demanding grandparents. As she juggles responsibilities and a budding crush, Summer must find a way to turn their luck around to save her family.
Yoko
Sale price
$1597
Picture Book · Ages 3–6 · 1998

Yoko

By Rosemary Wells · Yoko series

A school lunch sparks a lesson in embracing differences.

32 pages· 636 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
5.5/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,556 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Yoko's excitement for her sushi lunch turns to dismay when her classmates mock her meal. As her peers reject her favorite foods, including red bean ice cream, Yoko faces the challenge of fitting in. With Mrs. Jenkins' clever plan, can Yoko find acceptance and teach her classmates to appreciate diversity? Discover how one lunch becomes a lesson in understanding and respect.
Baseball Saved Us
Sale price
$1135
Picture Book · Ages 6–10 · 1993

Baseball Saved Us

By Ken Mochizuki, Dom Lee (Illustrator)

In a WWII internment camp, baseball becomes a lifeline for dignity and hope.

32 pages· 900 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
4.3 Goodreads · 4,064 ratings
$11.95Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In a WWII internment camp, young Shorty and his family face harsh conditions and loss of freedom. Amidst barbed-wire fences, they build a baseball field, creating a league that offers more than just a game. As Shorty plays, he battles for dignity and self-respect, transforming a bleak desert into a field of hope. This poignant tale, inspired by true events, uncovers a hidden chapter of American history, where courage and resilience shine through adversity. Discover how a simple sport becomes a powerful symbol of endurance in this 25th Anniversary Edition.
Facing the Mountain
Sale price
$1797
Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2023

Facing the Mountain

By Daniel James Brown

Japanese American soldiers battle for freedom abroad and justice at home during WWII.

240 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 99 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In WWII's shadow, Rudy, Fred, and Kats, Japanese American soldiers, join the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, facing fierce battles in Europe and prejudice at home. As their families endure internment, Gordon Hirabayashi challenges injustice in court. Will their courage reshape a nation divided by war and discrimination? Discover a gripping tale of valor, resistance, and the fight for civil rights.
I Am Able to Shine
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2022

I Am Able to Shine

By Korey Watari, Mike Wu (Illustrator)

A girl dreams of changing the world despite feeling invisible. Can she find her voice and shine?

40 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 843 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Keiko dreams of changing the world, but often feels invisible and misunderstood. Despite these challenges, she is determined to find her voice and embrace her identity. As her confidence grows, she begins to share her true self, inspiring and uplifting those around her. Will Keiko's journey lead her to become a beacon of hope and leadership? Discover how she learns to shine, no matter the obstacles.
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Japanese Americans Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about japanese americans for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Love in the Library
Sale price
$1899

Love in the Library

Ages 6–9 · 2022

In a WWII camp, love blooms against all odds. Can hope survive confinement?

A Scarf for Keiko
Sale price
$1799

A Scarf for Keiko

Ages 5–10 · 2019

In 1942, can Sam prove his friendship to Keiko as war divides them?

It Began With a Page
Sale price
$1999

It Began With a Page

Ages 4–8 · 2019

An artist fights for diversity in children's books, defying rejection to change the world.

Write to Me
Sale price
$1699

Write to Me

Ages 4–8 · 2018

Children's letters from WWII internment camps reveal resilience and hope.

Barbed Wire Baseball
Sale price
$1995

Barbed Wire Baseball

Ages 6–10 · 2013

In a WWII internment camp, a man uses baseball to inspire hope.

Grandfather's Journey
Sale price
$799

Grandfather's Journey

Ages 5–8 · 1993

A man's heart is torn between two countries, longing for home.

A Life Made by Hand
Sale price
$1895

A Life Made by Hand

Ages 6–10 · 2019

Discover how an artist transforms the ordinary into extraordinary through creativity and vision.

Yoko's Paper Cranes
Series
Sale price
$699

Yoko's Paper Cranes

Ages 3–6 · 2001

A girl crafts paper cranes to bridge the distance to her grandparents.

Fish for Jimmy
Sale price
$1695

Fish for Jimmy

Ages 6–9 · 2013

Two brothers face internment, one risks all to restore hope and strength.

The Bracelet
Sale price
$1799

The Bracelet

Ages 6–10 · 1993

A young girl loses a cherished bracelet amid wartime upheaval.

Yoko Writes Her Name
Series
Sale price
$1799

Yoko Writes Her Name

Ages 3–6 · 2008

A young girl faces teasing at school over her cultural differences. Can friendship bridge the gap?

View all japanese americans picture books
Browse by age

Japanese Americans Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about japanese americans for developing and independent readers.

Seen and Unseen
Sale price
$2199

Seen and Unseen

Ages 10–14 · 2022

Three photographers capture the stark reality of Japanese American incarceration during WWII.

While I Was Away
Sale price
$1799

While I Was Away

Ages 8–12 · 2021

A girl navigates identity and belonging in 1980s Japan, caught between two cultures.

Mika: My New Life
Series
Sale price
$599

Mika: My New Life

Ages 6–8 · 2013

Mika joins a club, faces time challenges, and navigates new friendships and troublemakers.

Super Sleuth
#2 in Series
Sale price
$599

Super Sleuth

Ages 6–9 · 2017

Jasmine's Girl's Day plans unravel as mysteries arise. Can she solve them in time?

Drummer Girl
#3 in Series
Sale price
$799

Drummer Girl

Ages 6–9 · 2018

A young girl named Jasmine Toguchi struggles to find her talent for the school talent show.

Keep It Together, Keiko Carter
Sale price
$1799

Keep It Together, Keiko Carter

Ages 10–13 · 2020

Caught between friendship drama and first crushes, Keiko must choose between her heart and her friends.

Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai
Sale price
$1799

Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai

Ages 8–12 · 2021

Jenna swears off love after a breakup, but a mysterious rival challenges her heart and her resolve.

So Far from the Sea
Sale price
$799

So Far from the Sea

Ages 10–12 · 1998

A family's final visit to a grave stirs memories of internment and resilience.

Dash
Series
Sale price
$899

Dash

Ages 8–12 · 2014

A girl and her dog are separated by war. Can hope reunite them?

Sweet and Sour
Sale price
$1799

Sweet and Sour

Ages 8–12 · 2022

Old betrayals resurface as Mai plots revenge on her ex-best friend.

View all japanese americans chapter books
Keep exploring
Books about prejudice and racismBooks about Japanese cultureBooks about clubsBooks about death, grief, and bereavementBooks about evacuation and relocationBooks about farm life and ranch lifeBooks about grandparent-grandchild relationshipsBooks about luck