We Who Produce Pearls: An Anthem for Asian America

Gr 1-5–A powerful testimony for, and tribute to, the Asian American community. The author and illustrator make it clear in their end notes that this book is intended to inspire Asian Americans as they honor the past, acknowledge multitudes of wrongdoing, and celebrate the strength and power of an incredibly diverse but connected community. Magnificent spreads evoke moments throughout history that speak to the experiences that have shaped the Asian American community and call to readers to investigate further. Guiding questions and points for further research for each spread appear in the back matter. Bold and vibrant illustrations capture the diversity of the Asian American community with pride and an unshakable belief in the power of the people that have made such a lasting impact on the country and the world. The symbolism and details are as rich and as varied as the Asian diaspora. This title belongs in libraries seeking to embrace a deeper understanding of American history and could be particularly useful for social studies and history classes in upper elementary and above as a starting point for the examination of the role of Asian Americans in the history of the U.S.