Culture 5 - Asian American Literature Book Reviews

Book 1: Drawing from Memory by Allen Say

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Say, A. (2011). Drawing from memory. Scholastic Press.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In Drawing from Memory, Allen Say shares the story of his own childhood in Japan, where he dreamed of becoming a cartoonist despite his father's disapproval. At just 12 years old, he left home to study with Noro Shinpei, a famous Japanese cartoonist, becoming his apprentice while living on his own. Through a mix of photos, sketches, watercolor paintings, and comic panels, Say tells how art became his escape, his teacher, and his purpose. It’s a heartfelt memoir showing how following your passion, even when it’s scary, can shape your entire life.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Drawing from Memory is children’s biography at its best. This book follows pivotal moments in Say’s childhood, focusing on his journey from a young boy in Japan during World War II to a teenager preparing to leave for America. Say’s decision to recall these moments “from memory” not only explains the book’s title but also adds depth to his art, bringing authenticity and emotion to each page. One of the most resonant parts of the book for me is Say’s relationship with his teacher and mentor, Noro Shinpei, Japan’s leading cartoonist. Shinpei’s recognition of Say’s talent and his encouragement helped shape Say’s future, and as a reader, you leave the book grateful for mentors who recognize and nurture young artists. Say’s illustrations are a powerful storytelling tool throughout the book. The pages blend bright, realistic paintings of Say’s early experiences with black-and-white photographs of his family and mentors, creating a scrapbook-like narrative that is visually engaging and emotionally impactful. Drawing from Memory isn’t just a story about Allen Say’s life, it’s a reminder of how art, memory, and the right mentors can shape who we become. It also gives a glimpse into Japanese culture and the immigrant experience in a way that’s easy to connect with, no matter your age.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Awards and Nominations:

Robert F. Sibert Honor Book (2012)

ALA Notable Children’s Book

Booklist Editors’ Choice

Horn Book Fanfare

Named a New York Times Notable Children's Book

Kirkus Best Children's Books 

5. CONNECTIONS

Similar books to Cos:

The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sís

They Called Us Enemy by George Takei

El Deafo by Cece Bell

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

The Ink Garden of Brother Theophane by C.M. Millen

It Jes’ Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw by Don Tate

Book 2: The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lin, G. (2006). The year of the dog. Little, Brown and Company.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

The Year of the Dog is a sweet, funny, and relatable story about Pacy Lin, a Taiwanese American girl who learns that the Year of the Dog is a good year to find yourself and your place in the world. Throughout the year, Pacy navigates friendship, school projects, and family celebrations while figuring out what she’s good at and who she wants to be. Along the way, she shares family stories, cultural traditions, and her love for drawing. It’s like reading a cozy conversation with a friend while learning about Lunar New Year and Taiwanese American traditions in a warm, lighthearted way.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The Year of the Dog follows Pacy Lin, a young Taiwanese-American girl, as she goes through a year of her life starting with Chinese New Year, The Year of the Dog. What makes this book extra special is that it’s based on Grace Lin’s own childhood growing up as a Taiwanese-American in a mostly white neighborhood. In the author’s note, Lin shares how much she loved reading books about kids doing everyday things, but she never saw herself in those stories. So she wrote the book she would have wanted to read as a child, and it shows. Her story feels genuine, comforting, and honest about what it’s like to grow up between cultures without being heavy or gloomy. Lin does such a good job capturing what it’s like trying to find your place in the world while balancing your family’s culture and the culture around you. Through Pacy’s eyes, we get to see many details of food, family traditions, celebrations, and values that come from being Chinese, Taiwanese, and American all at once. It’s like getting a warm, welcoming glimpse into her world. The Year of the Dog is a wonderful reminder of how important it is for kids to see themselves in the books they read. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Awards and Nominations:

ALA Notable Children’s Book

Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee

Included in numerous state reading lists 

5. CONNECTIONS

Similar books to The Year of the Dog:

 The Year of the Rat by Grace Lin 

Dumpling Days by Grace Lin 

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin 

Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same! by Grace Lin 

The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang 

Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan 

Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai 

Book 3: Lon Po Po by Ed Young

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Young, E. (1989). Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood story from China. Philomel Books.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Lon Po Po is a beautifully illustrated Chinese version of Little Red Riding Hood. Instead of one little girl, there are three clever sisters, Shang, Tao, and Paotze, left alone when their mother goes to visit their grandmother on her birthday. While she’s gone, a wolf pretending to be their grandmother, “Po Po” tries to trick them into letting him in. But these sisters are no fools! They figure out the wolf’s plan and come up with a smart way to outwit him, using a basket and a tree to get rid of the wolf once and for all. The story feels like a mix of folktale, suspense, and bravery, paired with Ed Young’s rich, moody watercolor and pastel illustrations that pull readers in.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Lon Po Po is twist on the classic Little Red Riding Hood. Instead of one girl wandering alone in the woods, this Chinese version has three siblings left home alone while their mom is away visiting their grandmother, and a clever wolf tries to trick them. It’s gloomy, a little creepy, and strangely funny at the same time. What really makes this book stand out are Ed Young’s illustrations. They blend ancient Chinese panel art with modern watercolors and pastels, creating pages that feel intense and alive. The hazy, almost abstract watercolors paired with soft pastel details give us these muted rainbows of fur and leaves, creating a sense of danger and fear whenever the wolf appears. The colors and lighting almost make you dread turning the page until the kids outsmart the wolf and find a way to safety. Beyond the beautiful art, the story itself suggests that being calm and quick on your feet is a skill worth having, showing how the children use their wits instead of fear to overcome a scary situation. It’s a great way to see how stories like Little Red Riding Hood can be adapted into different cultures while still keeping those universal themes we all know, like courage and cleverness in the face of danger. Lon Po Po is more than just a retelling, it gives readers insight into Chinese culture while reminding us that fairy tales can be dark, beautiful, and empowering all at once.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Awards and Nominations:

Caldecott Medal Winner (1990) 

ALA Notable Children’s Book

Horn Book Fanfare Book

5. CONNECTIONS

Similar books to Lon Po Po by Ed Young:

Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China by Ai-Ling Louie 

The Talking Eggs by Robert D. San Souci 

The Empty Pot by Demi 

The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

The Seven Chinese Sisters by Kathy Tucker

The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry

Book 4: A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

BIBLIOGRAPHY: 

Park, L. S. (2010). A long walk to water. Clarion Books.

PLOT SUMMARY:

A Long Walk to Water follows two kids in Sudan, Salva, a boy in 1985, and Nya, a girl in 2008. Salva’s life turns upside down when war hits his village, forcing him to flee on foot, cross dangerous lands, and survive refugee camps while holding onto hope that he will find his family again. Meanwhile, Nya spends her days walking for hours to fetch water for her family, battling exhaustion and heat, just to survive. A Long Walk to Water beautifully weaves their stories together, showing the harsh reality of water scarcity and war, and how determination can lead to change. By the end, their stories connect in a hopeful way that will stick with you, reminding you how something as simple as clean water can change lives.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

A Long Walk to Water is a powerful story about war, water, refugees, genocide, courage and somehow, still a little bit of hope. Linda Sue Park does an amazing job weaving together the stories of Salva and Nya, two kids living in Sudan during different times but connected by their struggles and by water. At first, the word “water” in the title just felt like a reference to the literal lack of water they faced, but by the end, it became so much more. Water becomes hope, life, and a reason to keep going. Both Nya and Salva set out on what feel like impossible journeys, but they keep moving forward, one step at a time, even when everything around them is falling apart. Their stories are about hope and survival in the middle of war, hunger, and fear. A Long Walk to Water also opens your eyes to the reality of what many people face daily, war, starvation, and the constant struggle for clean water, things so many of us take for granted. Along the way, readers learn a bit about Sudanese history, tribes, and culture, making it feel both personal and informative. A Long Walk to Water is a valuable, moving read that reminds us of the power of perseverance and the impact hope can have, even in the harshest circumstances. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S):

Awards and Nominations:

New York Times Bestseller

Jane Addams Children's Book Award (Honor, 2011)

ALSC Notable Children's Book

Nominated for several state-level young reader choice awards (Texas Bluebonnet Master List, Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award)

5. CONNECTIONS:

Picture books similar to A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park:

Refugee by Alan Gratz 

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai 

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate 

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer 

I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda 

Long Road to Freedom: Journey of a Sudanese Lost Boy by Martha Hanson