This May, as we celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiin, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we're taking time to honor the rich and diverse contributions and experiences of AANHPI communities. Literacy instruction is a powerful tool for inclusive education all year long, and graphic novels offer a particularly engaging and impactful medium for sharing these stories. As the renowned graphic novelist and 2016 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Gene Luen Yang reminds us, "Comics matter because stories matter."
Why Graphic Novels?
Graphic novels aren't just engaging—they're also educational. Research demonstrates that the combination of visuals and text provides unique benefits for readers at all levels:
Rich Vocabulary Development: Comic books average 53.5 rare words per thousand, more than children's books (30.9) and comparable to adult books (52.7)
Increased Comprehension: "Words and pictures together increase recall and problem solving," with studies showing "between 55 percent to 121 percent more correct solutions to transfer problems than people who learned from words alone" (Mayer & Clark, 2011)
Motivation and Engagement: "Those who read more comic books did more pleasure reading, liked to read more, and tended to read more books" (Krashen & Ujiie, 1996)
For AANHPI children and teens, seeing themselves represented in graphic novels provides essential "mirrors" that validate their identities and experiences. For non-AANHPI children, these books offer "windows" into AANHPI cultures, fostering empathy and understanding. When these windows become "sliding glass doors," readers of all backgrounds can enter narratives that expand their worldview.
Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop's influential metaphor of books as "mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors" reminds us why diverse representation matters in children's literature. Similarly, Dr. Gholdy Muhammad's Historically Responsive Literacy Framework emphasizes the importance of cultivating identity, skills, intellect, and criticality in young readers (Muhammad, 2020).
Graphic novels excel at this work. As Nick Sousanis noted in his Columbia University research, "More than a gateway to literacy, the spatial interplay of visual and verbal that defines comics makes for a powerful tool for inquiry primed for creative and critical practice" (2019).
Seven Outstanding AANHPI Graphic Novels for Elementary School Readers
The Flamingo: A Graphic Novel Chapter Book by Guojing (Random House 2022) Recommended for Grades K-3
In this breathtaking wordless graphic novel, a lonely girl discovers an injured flamingo and nurses it back to health. Through Guojing's exquisite pencil illustrations, this tender story explores compassion, connection, and the bittersweet beauty of helping something you love return to where it belongs.
Drawn Together by Minh Lê (Little Brown Books 2018)
Recommended for Grades PreK- 3
In this visually stunning picture book with elements of graphic storytelling, a young boy and his grandfather discover a connection that transcends their language barrier through the universal power of art. When words fail, their shared passion for drawing bridges generations and cultures, transforming an awkward visit into a vibrant collaboration of imagination. Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat's spectacular illustrations blend Eastern and Western artistic styles, visually representing how creativity can unite hearts across any divide.
Hi’iaka and Pana’ewa: A Hawaiian Graphic Legend by Gabriella Ahuli’i (Capstone 2022)
Recommended for Grades 1-3
Journey into the lush Hawaiian forests where the young goddess Hi'iaka faces the fearsome lizard king Pana'ewa in this vibrant graphic retelling of a beloved Hawaiian legend. Ahuli'i's stunning illustrations bring this ancient tale to life, inviting young readers to discover the power of courage and the magic of Hawaiian mythology. This captivating adventure masterfully balances excitement with accessibility for early elementary readers.
The Secret Coders Series by Gene Luen Yang (First Second 2015-2018) Recommended for Grades 2-5
Join Hopper, Eni, and Josh as they uncover the mysterious coding secrets hidden within their strange school! This clever series seamlessly blends exciting adventures with real computer programming concepts, turning readers into coding whizzes as they help our heroes solve puzzles and outsmart their peculiar principal.
Stargazing by Jen Wang (First Second 2019) Recommended for Grades 3-5
When shy, perfectionist Christine meets free-spirited Moon, their unlikely friendship challenges everything Christine thought she knew about being Chinese-American. With warm, expressive artwork, this heartfelt story explores cultural identity, embracing differences, and finding the courage to be yourself.
Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani (First Second 2017) Recommended for Grades 3-5
When Priyanka discovers a magical pashmina shawl that transports her to a colorful, idealized version of India, she begins a journey to understand her mother's past and her own identity. This enchanting graphic novel weaves together fantasy and reality as Pri navigates between two worlds and uncovers long-held family secrets.
Fighting to Belong: Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History from the 1700's-1800's by Amy Chu, Alexander Chang, and Louie Chin (Crown Books for Young Readers 2024) Recommended for Grades 3-7
This groundbreaking graphic nonfiction brings to life the overlooked stories of AANHPI communities in early American history. Through vibrant illustrations and engaging narratives, readers discover the resilience of Chinese railroad workers, Hawaiian royal resistance, Filipino sailors, and others who shaped America while fighting for their place within it.
Six Outstanding AAPI Graphic Novels for Middle Grade and Young Adult Readers:
Tidesong by Wendy Xu (Quill Tree Books 2021) Recommended for Grades 3-7
When aspiring witch Sophie is sent to train with her intimidating relatives by the sea, she accidentally entangles her magic with a water dragon spirit named Lir. This gorgeously illustrated fantasy blends Chinese mythology with coming-of-age themes as Sophie learns to control her magic, make amends for her mistakes, and find her own voice.
Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang (Scholastic 2023) Recommended for Grades 4-8
Based on the author's own experiences, this poignant graphic novel follows three undocumented Taiwanese siblings left to fend for themselves in 1990’s California while their parents work overseas. As they navigate cultural differences, financial struggles, and family separation, the "parachute kids" must rely on each other to create a sense of home in a new country.
The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir by Thi Bui (Abrams ComicArts 2018) Recommended for Grades 8+
In this stunning memoir, Thi Bui documents her family's dramatic escape from Vietnam in the 1970s and their subsequent struggle to build new lives as immigrants. With expressive ink-wash illustrations and intimate storytelling, Bui explores intergenerational trauma, the refugee experience, and her journey to understand her parents as she becomes a parent herself.
Almost American Girl by Robin Ha (HarperAlley 2020) Recommended for Grades 8-10
When her mother suddenly relocates them from Seoul to Alabama, Korean teenager Robin finds herself isolated by language barriers and cultural differences. This powerful memoir chronicles how discovering a comic drawing class becomes her lifeline, offering an unflinching look at immigration, belonging, and finding connection through art when words aren't enough.
Roque by Michael Lujan Bevacqua (The Guam Bus 2016)
Recommended for Grades 10+
In this powerful coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of Guam's complex colonial history, Bevacqua crafts a raw and unflinching narrative that follows a young Chamorro man navigating the tensions between tradition and modern identity. Through masterful storytelling that weaves together family secrets, cultural resistance, and personal awakening, "Roque" explores what it means to reclaim one's heritage while forging a path forward.
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei (Top Shelf Productions 2019) Recommended for Grades 10-12
Actor and activist George Takei recounts his childhood imprisonment in American concentration camps during World War II in this gripping memoir. Through stark black-and-white illustrations, Takei shares his family's resilience in the face of legalized racism, delivering a powerful reminder about the fragility of democratic ideals and the ongoing fight for justice and equality.
This blog post is part of our ongoing commitment to celebrating diverse voices in children's literature. For more resources on inclusive literacy practices, please check out these prior blog posts: Ten Books Celebrating Black Joy, Great New Biographies for Black History Month, Five Fantastic Chapter Books to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month, Five Picture Books to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, and Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors: Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month Through Literature.
References
Andrews McMeel Publishing. (2019). Reading with Pictures: Teacher's guide.
Mayer, R. E., & Clark, R. C. (2011). E-learning and the science of instruction: Proven guidelines for consumers and designers of multimedia learning (3rd ed.). Wiley.
Muhammad, G. (2020). Cultivating genius: An equity framework for culturally and historically responsive literacy. Scholastic: New York, NY.
Ujiie, J., & Krashen, S. D. (1996). Comic book reading, reading enjoyment, and pleasure reading among middle class and Chapter I middle school students. Reading Improvement, 33(1), 51–54.