Ah, it’s the last day of May and officially the last day of Asian American Pacific Islander Month. I managed to post for almost half of it. Again, apologies for not being able to post daily while I was on deadline. I hope that I’ve introduced some new books to you and that you will be buying and reading AAPI books throughout the years, not just during AAPI Heritage Month. It is my greatest pleasure to bring these books to your attention.
Today’s recommended read is a graphic novel by the amazingly talented Gene Luen Yang.
Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang
From the publisher: In his latest graphic novel, Dragon Hoops, New York Times bestselling author Gene Luen Yang turns the spotlight on his life, his family, and the high school where he teaches.
Gene understands stories―comic book stories, in particular. Big action. Bigger thrills. And the hero always wins.
But Gene doesn’t get sports. As a kid, his friends called him “Stick” and every basketball game he played ended in pain. He lost interest in basketball long ago, but at the high school where he now teaches, it’s all anyone can talk about. The men’s varsity team, the Dragons, is having a phenomenal season that’s been decades in the making. Each victory brings them closer to their ultimate goal: the California State Championships.
Once Gene gets to know these young all-stars, he realizes that their story is just as thrilling as anything he’s seen on a comic book page. He knows he has to follow this epic to its end. What he doesn’t know yet is that this season is not only going to change the Dragons’s lives, but his own life as well.
Buy the book here: bookshop.org
There are many great AAPI books out there and more coming your way. This is good news! I haven’t been able to keep up with all the books (also good news). Here are a select handful I hope to buy/read in the near future – there are many more on my list. Please share in the comments any AAPI books you recommend! Thank you!
American as Paneer Pie by Supriya Kelkar
I’ll Be the One by Lyla Lee
Lift by Minh Le, illustrated by Dan Santat
Rogue Heart by Axie Oh
Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao
Almost American Girl by Robin Ha
The Dragon Egg Princess by Ellen Oh
DEBtastic Reads! 
Thanks, Debbi, for highlighting these books! Some I’d read but moreI haven’t, and those are now on my TBR list. And I hope we’ll be seeing more of Jasmine!