Celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month with these books

May is Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and we have a great selection of new and recent books to help you celebrate and learn more about AAPI histories, identities, and cultures. Read on for some of our recommendations.
By Kate Pritchard, MS/HS Librarian

Below are books for those of all ages to enjoy.

Picture Books & Chapter Books:
  • "Mina vs. the Monsoon" by Rukhsanna Guidroz
  • "Drawn Together" by Minh Lê
  • "Mindy Kim" series by Lyla Lee
  • "A Big Mooncake for Little Star" by Grace Lin
  • "Take Me Out to the Yakyu" by Aaron Meshon
  • "Bilal Cooks Daal" by Aisha Saeed
Middle Grade:
  • "Awesome Asian Americans: 20 Stars Who Made America Amazing" by Phil Amara & Oliver Chin
  • "Stand Up, Yumi Chung" by Jessica Kim
  • "Everything Sad is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri
  • "They Called Us Enemy" by George Takei
  • "Dear America: Young Readers' Edition: The Story of an Undocumented Citizen" by Jose Antonio Vargas 
  • "Stargazing" by Jen Wang
Young Adult
  • "Flamer" by Mike Curato
  • "This Light Between Us" by Andrew Fukuda
  • "I Was Their American Dream" by Malaka Gharib
  • "The Downstairs Girl" by Stacey Lee
  • "Last Night at the Telegraph Club" by Malinda Lo
  • "From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial That Galvanized the Asian American Movement" by Paula Yoo
Adult
  • "Let’s Make Ramen: A Comic Book Cookbook" by Hugh Amano & Sarah Becan
  • "All You Can Ever Know" by Nicole Chung
  • "Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning" by Cathy Park Hong
  • "Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations" by Mira Jacob
  • "The Making of Asian America: A History" by Erika Lee
  • "Sigh, Gone: A Misfit’s Memoir of Great Books, Punk Rock, and the Fight to Fit In" by Phuc Tran
You can find more recommendations on our current display page. Happy reading!
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More USN News

List of 3 news stories.

  • Henry Knowles ’26 delivers the Commencement address on Sunday, May 17 on the Back Lawn.

    USN graduates 98 plus 1 during Commencement

    Seniors turned their tassels and graduated from University School of Nashville on Sunday, May 17, on the Back Lawn. Visit usn.org/classof2026 for more highlights from their last year on Edgehill and to learn what they will do next.
    Read More

  • Spring sports season ends with podium finishes, trophies

    The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.
    Read More
  • Interim Director Juliet Douglas roars with laughter as students hold photos of her on sticks during the High School Awards Assembly on Friday, May 8 in Durnan Auditorium.

    USN creates the Juliet Douglas Endowed Fund for Student Success

    For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.
    Read More
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University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.