The Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature is to honor and recognize individual work about Asian/Pacific Americans and their heritage, based on literary and artistic merit.

Book cover of I'd rather burn than bloom
2024

I'd Rather Burn Than Bloom

by Rogers, Shannon C. F.
Call Number: YA
Book cover for Himawari House
2023

Himawari House

by Becker, Harmony
Call Number: 741.5 B395
Book cover for Last Night at the Telegraph Club
2022

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

by Lo, Malinda
Call Number: YA

This historical fiction is set in San Francisco, in 1954, when Chinese Americans and immigrants had to live under increased paranoia, racism, and suspicion for having Communist ideas. Lily is interested in discovering what’s outside her Chinatown home. Her parents warned her not to leave their immediate neighborhood, but Lily ventures forth to various places, such as the Telegraph Club, a lesbian bar. This is where she slowly discovers herself and a relationship with her first white friend, Kathleen. All of this means that Lily may end up in dangerous situations and more than she bargained for.

Book cover for This Light Between Us: A Novel of World War II
2021

This Light Between Us: A Novel of World War II

by Fukuda, Andrew Xia
Call Number: YA

In 1935, ten-year-old Alex Maki is not pleased when he has to become pen pals with Charlie Levy of Paris, France, who turns out to be a girl. Even though they have a rocky start, the letters continue as their friendship grows, and they share their hopes, dreams and fears. The attack on Pearl Harbor happens, and teenage Alex, and his family are sent to the Japanese concentration camps, while Charlie faces the horrors of the Holocaust. Their friendship and love do not abate, and nothing can take away the light between them.

Book cover for They Called Us Enemy: A Graphic Novel Memoir
2020

They Called Us Enemy: A Graphic Novel Memoir

by Takei, George
Call Number: 812.092 T136-1

George Takei, of Star Trek fame, recounts his childhood memories of his family's imprisonment in Japanese internment camps across the United States. Moving between the past and present, it features stark black and white illustrations, and is a heartbreaking, stunning look at familial love, strength and the events that shaped Takei's life as an actor, artist, and activist. The book effortlessly presents the larger societal implications of those in the camp, as well as the aftermath this country still hasn't fully processed. This book joins the likes of Maus and March.

Book cover for Darius the Great is Not Okay
2019

Darius the Great is Not Okay

by Khorram, Adib
Call Number: YA
Book cover for It's Not Like it's a Secret
2018

It's Not Like it's a Secret

by Sugiura, Misa
Call Number: YA
Book cover for Outrun the Moon
2017

Outrun the Moon

by Lee, Stacey (Stacey Heather),
Call Number: YA

Fifteen-year-old Mercy Wong is determined to break from poverty in Chinatown, and she gains admittance to a prestigious finishing school through a mix of cunning and bribery. She soon discovers that getting in was the easiest part, and must carve a niche among the spoiled heiresses. When the earthquake strikes on April 18, Mercy and her classmates are forced to a survivor encampment, but her quick-witted leadership rallies them to help in the tragedy's aftermath.

Book cover for P.S. I Still Love You
2016

P.S. I Still Love You

by Han, Jenny
Call Number: YA
Book cover for Tiger Girl: A Novel
2015

Tiger Girl: A Novel

by Chai, May-Lee
Call Number: YA
Book cover for Jet Black and the Ninja Wind
2014

Jet Black and the Ninja Wind

by Lowitz, Leza
Call Number: YA
Book cover for Tina's Mouth: An Existential Comic Diary
2013

Tina's Mouth: An Existential Comic Diary

by Kashyap, Keshni
Call Number: 740.9999 K188
Book cover for Orchards
2012

Orchards

by Thompson, Holly
Call Number: YA
Book cover for Shooting Kabul
2011

Shooting Kabul

by Senzai, N. H.
Call Number: x
Book cover for Everything Asian
2010

Everything Asian

by Woo, Sung J.
Call Number:
Book cover for Roots and Wings
2009

Roots and Wings

by Ly, Many
Call Number:
Book cover for Kira-Kira
2006

Kira-Kira

by Kadohata, Cynthia
Call Number: x
Book cover for A Step From Heaven
2003

A Step From Heaven

by An, Na
Call Number: x