This anthology, which includes both short stories and excerpts from larger works, celebrates the diversity of Asian American literature, from the many literary styles to the various ethnic backgrounds, ages and beliefs of the 48 writers included in this collection.
Created by a white man named Earl Derr Biggers in 1925, Charlie Chan was one of the ultimate Asian stereotypes, known for his obsequious manner and broken English versions of fortune-cookie pop psychology. The diverse, individual, invincible Asian American voices in this collection prove that such cartoonish Asian Americans never existed in reality.
A contemporary collection picking up where Aiiieeeee! left off. And then continues on with Charlie Chan Is Dead 2, too!
Reviews: Review: “Asian American Titles,” What Do I Read Next? Multicultural Literature, Gale Research, 1997
“Necessary Titles for the APA Heritage Bookshelf,” aMagazine: Inside Asian America, April/May 2001
Readers: Young Adult, Adult
Published: 1993
A Japanese American man recounts his grandfather’s journey from Japan to America, and back to Japan. He comes to understand his grandfather’s feelings of being torn by a sense of being home in two very different countries, and longing for one while in the other.
Sam wakes up one day with the face of his elderly grandfather. He has a frustrating time trying to convince his family and friends that he really is still Sam inside. Only when he takes to the skateboard does he feel like his old self again.
A lovely story about a young Japanese boy who learns about Christmas for the first time from his California-born Japanese American mother as she prepares a special pine tree, decorated with paper cranes.
Mark is in bed with a high fever. His Uncle Scott sends him a metal box for trout flies, which brings back memories of Mark’s first fishing trip. He’s transported to a sparkling river, meets up with Uncle Scott, and catches his biggest fish ever. But Mark learns that perhaps it’s better to “leave the river the way [he] found it.”
Luke and his father embark on a camping trip to “the Lost Lake,” where the father used to go with his own father. When they arrive they find that too many others have discovered it, as well. Father and son continue on their journey, sharing new experiences and discovering one another.
Taro is known throughout the village as its laziest citizen. When a rich merchant moves into town, he hatches a plan to ensure an easy life by convincing the merchant that his daughter must marry Taro. But Taro’s mother has plans of her own, and his napping days soon come to an end.
Aekyung, a young Korean girl recently arrived in the U.S., is teased at school for her different features and has not yet made friends. Inspired by a dream about King Sejong who created Hangul, the Korean alphabet, Aekyung learns English and begins to adjust to her new life.
A hardworking, childless elderly couple are led to the fountain of youth by a mysterious bluebird and warned to take just a sip. Their greedy neighbor hears about their discovery, rushes to the magic spring and overindulges, leading to a surprise ending. 
“Shorty,” a young Japanese American boy, and his family are forcibly relocated to an American concentration camp during World War II. There, in order to help the children survive the barbed wire fences and armed guards, Shorty’s father organizes a baseball league. Although small, the determined “Shorty” proves to be a talented player.
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