Asian American and Pacific Islander authors from the Hawaiian Islands to the Philippines, Vietnam, China, and more hit the stands this year to tell stories representing their AAPI experiences and identities. From a fiction novel based on a mythical fire goddess to a memoir about a victorious transgender pageant queen, this list is nothing short of diverse. Read on to get the in-scoop on the most trending books by API of 2023.
“Lei and the Fire Goddess” by Malia Maunakea
As a Native Hawaiian, or Kānaka Maoli, author Malia Maunakea’s adventurous children’s novel “Lei and Fire Goddess” is a testament to her roots. The book follows a part-Hawaiian preteen named Anna Leilani Kama’ehu. Raised on her Hawaiian grandmother’s folktales and legends about family guardians, Anna finds that her friends in Colorado don’t believe in such things. When Anna returns to Hawai’i to visit her Tūtū or grandmother, her beliefs are tested by Pele, the legendary fire goddess of Hawaii.
Although fiction, the novel features many parallels between Maunakea’s own identity and the natural history and spirituality in the Moʻolelo, or oral stories, of Native Hawaiian culture. The book even made a strong impression on the voice of Disney princess Moana, Auli’i Cravalho. “Lei and Fire Goddess” blend preteen angst and beloved Hawaiian mo’olelo in a way that hasn’t been done before,” she says. Nonetheless, expect a sequel in 2024 titled “Lei and the Invisible Island.”
“Hula” by Jasmin Iolani Hakes
Hakes was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, where the prestigious Merrie Monarch festival is held—a week-long premier hula competition that began in 1963. Hence, her novel “Hula” follows a Native Hawaiian girl named Hi’i Naupaka, who comes from a family rooted in the sacred dance. Hi’i strives to live up to her family’s legacy by…
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