Celebrate Asian Stories, Creators, and Joy!

This Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month we are celebrating AANHPI creators, stories, and joy! We’ve pulled together a list of incredible works from some of our favorite AANHPI creators and beyond.

YA Contemporary, Coming-of-Age, and Memoir Books for AANHPI Month

The Notes

The Notes

A reserved Chinese American teen at a Southern performing arts boarding school comes into her own under the tutelage of a glamorous new piano teacher. A moving coming-of-age-novel from a debut novelist about first love, adolescent angst, and academic pressures.

“Compellingly readable. Make room in the boarding-school book canon for a new classic.”  – Jeff Zentner, award-winning author of In the Wild Light and The Serpent King

“A moving, highly virtuosic, and heart-rending portrait of an aspiring teen pianist trying to find her way…it made me feel seen.” – Patricia Park, author of Imposter Syndrome and Other Confession of Alejandra Kim and What’s Eating Jackie Oh?

What's Eating Jackie Oh?

What's Eating Jackie Oh?

A Korean American teen tries to balance her dream to become a chef with the cultural expectations of her family when she enters the competitive world of a TV cooking show. A hilarious and heartfelt YA novel from the award-winning author of Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim and Re Jane.

“Park’s novel delivers authentic characters who will make you laugh…and cry. Not to be missed!” –Ellen Oh, author of The Colliding Worlds of Mina Lee

Discover More YA Contemporary, Coming-of-Age, and Memoir Stories

YA Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Dystopian Books for AANHPI Month

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The stunning first edition of The Scorpion and the Night Blossom will feature a beautiful flower design stenciled on the ombre sprayed edges, exclusive printed endpapers, and a foil-stamped case!

In a world at war with demons, one girl will face the ultimate test when she is forced to enter into an ancient, deadly competition for the chance to save her mother’s soul… before she loses her forever. From the author of Song of Silver, Flame Like Night comes the beginning of a dark and opulent fantasy duology, perfect for fans of Throne of Glass.

A Forgery of Fate

A Forgery of Fate

A breathtaking romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast about a girl who paints the future and a cursed dragon lord, bound by love and deception in a plot to bring down the gods.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes!

“Everything I love in a story—danger, complex characters, romance, betrayal and gorgeous writing.” —Mary E. Pearson, New York Times bestselling author of Dance of Thieves

And the River Drags Her Down

And the River Drags Her Down

By Jihyun Yun

Coming 10.07.25

She has always known the rules – never resurrect anything larger than the palm of her hand, but that was before her sister died. A chilling, compulsive exploration of sisterhood, loss, and revenge.

The stunning hardcover of And the River Drags Her Down features gorgeous stenciled edges and a matching case stamp!

“Yun beautifully captures the haunting of family myths in this slow-burn horror. Eerie and poignant, And The River Drags Her Down will sweep readers into its relentless current.”
– Trang Thanh Tran, New York Times bestselling author of She Is a Haunting

Discover More YA Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Dystopian Stories

YA Romance Books for AANHPI Month

Lady Knight

Lady Knight

The daughter of a duke defies the rules of London high society with the help of the resident rake—who just so happens to be her brother’s best friend—in this fun teen historical romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Queen Bee.

“A ridiculously romantic, womanist, hilarious, and hugely entertaining romance that had me smiling and swooning from start to finish.” —Elizabeth Everett, USA Today bestselling author of the Damsels of Discovery series

Love Points to You

Love Points to You

A swoony rivals-to-lovers romance between driven, practical Lynda Fan and her rich, arrogant classmate, Angela Wu. When Angela offers Lynda the chance to design characters for her Otome game, Lynda discovers things she never knew about herself…or her heart.

Love is an art.

Discover More YA Romance Stories

Did you enjoy this article about books for AANHPI month? Discover more great reads here and get social with us at @getunderlined!

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