Celebrate the vibrant culture and heritage of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities this AANHPI Heritage Month through books, reading challenges, and meaningful activities.
AANHPI includes individuals with roots across Asia, the world’s largest continent, and the Pacific Islands, a region made up of more than 25,000 islands. Together, these communities represent more than 40 countries and over 50 ethnic groups, contributing to a rich and diverse cultural landscape in the United States.
This month is an opportunity to explore those stories, discover new voices, learn about different experiences, and celebrate the histories and identities that shape the AANHPI community.
Discover AANHPI Authors and Illustrators
Exploring stories written and illustrated by AANHPI individuals can help us gain insight into their unique experiences and discover diverse storytelling styles and narratives. These voices offer powerful perspectives, rich storytelling traditions, and deeply personal narratives that expand our understanding of the world.
- Amy Tan, author of The Joy Luck Club, explores identity and family through the experiences of Chinese American families.
- Viet Thanh Nguyen, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sympathizer, blends genres to examine cultural identity and displacement.
- Jhumpa Lahiri, known for The Namesake, captures the complexities of immigrant life and belonging.
- Jenny Han, author of the To All the Boys series, brings contemporary coming-of-age stories to life.
- Grace Lin, Newbery Honor winner for Mountain Meets the Moon, weaves folklore and imagination into her storytelling.
- Gene Luen Yang, author of American Born Chinese, helped redefine graphic novels as a powerful literary format.
Exploring these authors is a meaningful way to connect with AANHPI experiences, and a great starting point for deeper discovery.
Turn Exploration Into Action with Reading Challenges
Check with your local library to see if they are running our AANHPI Month 2026 Beanstack challenge. These challenges offer a fantastic opportunity to explore a diverse array of books by AANHPI authors and illustrators. Engaging in Beanstack reading challenges allows you to set reading targets and monitor your progress as you delve into AANHPI literature.
Explore AANHPI Reading Lists
Need a few suggestions on what to read this month? These diverse AANHPI reading lists span genres and age groups.
Exploring these curated lists allows you to uncover hidden gems and new voices in literature. Whether you follow the provided lists or curate your own based on your interests, a world of AANHPI stories is waiting to be discovered.
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Must-Read Books for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
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Social Justice Books: Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Titles for Kids
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Powell’s Books: Books and Resources to Stop Anti-Asian Violence
Listen to AANHPI Authors Tell Their Own Stories
Want to go deeper? Hearing directly from authors adds another layer of connection.
The Reading Culture podcast, hosted by Beanstack co-founder Jordan Lloyd Bookey, features conversations with authors about their work, experiences, and creative processes. Each episode showcases these award-winning authors and includes a complimentary reading list curated by the authors themselves.
Give these episodes a listen:
- Eye of the Tiger: Ellen Oh on Rising Up for the Right to Read
- Family Ties: Dan Santat on Childhood, Parenthood, and Finding Himself
- The World as It Should Be: LeUyen Pham Illustrates an Ideal
- Lonely Planet: Erin Entrada Kelly on Looking After the Overlooked
- The Heart of the Story: Karina Yan Glaser Talks Empathy in Writing
- Visibility Cloak: Hena Khan on Commonality Over Conformity
- Ignorance Isn’t Bliss: Sabaa Tahir on the Need to Bear Witness
Comics & Manga Spotlight on Comics Plus
Comics, manga, and graphic novels can engage a wider range of readers with the cultural stories, experiences, and history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Through Comics Plus, you can access thousands of titles that make it easier for your readers to uncover new stories.
Here are a few selections you can find in the Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month featured list on Comics Plus:
- The Brothers by Sheelue Yang and Le Nhat Vu (Capstone)
- Sleeping While Standing by Taki Soma (Avery Hill)
- My Name Is Ai Lin by Maria Wen Adcock and Yu Ting Cheng (Cherry Lake Publishing Group)
- Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook, Ryan Estrada, and Hyung-Ju Ko (Iron Circus Comics)
- They Called Us Enemy - Expanded Edition by George Takei, Justin Eisenger, Steven Scott, and Harmony Becker (IDW)
- Papaya Salad by Elisa Macellari (Dark Horse)
- Everything is Beautiful, and I'm Not Afraid by Yao Xiao (Andrews McMeel)
- Monstress Vol. 1 by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda (Image Comics)
Celebrate Through Community Events
Reading is just one way to connect. Many communities organize events and celebrations during AANHPI Heritage Month, including art exhibitions, performances, film screenings, and panel discussions.
Attending community events provides an opportunity to learn from AANHPI artists, authors, and activists. By participating in these events, you can support the community and celebrate its heritage.
Keep Reading!
AANHPI Heritage Month is a powerful starting point, but it doesn’t have to end there.
The stories, voices, and perspectives you discover this month can shape your reading habits all year long. Keep exploring new authors, participating in challenges, and seeking out stories that broaden your understanding.
Because every book you pick up is another step toward a more connected, inclusive reading culture.
