Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
In 1992, Congress established May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to coincide with two key milestones: the arrival of the nation’s first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and Chinese workers’ pivotal role in building the transcontinental railroad (completed May 10, 1869). The move expanded what had been Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week since 1978. In 2021, a presidential proclamation expanded this to include Native Hawaiians.
Plan your events, build your displays, and celebrate AAPI authors and books! We've compiled some resources below -- and would love to have more. If you have a list or idea to share, send it to us, and we'll include it here.
Independent Publishers Caucus Edelweiss Collection
Social Justice Books: Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association: 2024 Asian Pacific American Awards for Literature
HarperCollins Kids: 41 Books to Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Penguin Random House: Represent Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Stories
Epic Reads: 50 YA Books to Celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month