We Are Golden: 27 Groundbreakers Who Changed the World

PreS-Gr 3–Chen repeats her jubilant author/narrator performance of her splendidly empowering I Am Golden with a plural sequel celebrating 27 groundbreakers of Asian and Asian Pacific American heritage. Soft piano music and the sound of a crackling fire accompany Chen’s opening invitation: “Look closely at this flame, my child. What do you see?” as she reveals “the beauty of the Asian story—like flames, no two are alike.” Chen offers introductory bios of an extensive cast of superstars, including artist Takashi Murakami and actor Anna May Wong, physicist Chien-Shiung Wu and astronaut Ellison Onizuka, activist Grace Lee Boggs and athlete Chloe Kim. That Chen also highlights not-quite-household-names is especially inspiring. “The world is yours to change,” she assures. “YOU ARE GOLDEN.” A print plus audio pairing is obviously encouraged—the flame becomes the aural page-turning prompt.