Common Sense Media Review
By JK Sooja
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Robust history features social justice, inspiring people.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In MADE IN ASIAN AMERICA: A HISTORY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, authors Erika Lee and Christina Soontornvat craft a very digestible history of Asian America. Many Asian Americans are profiled, featured, and celebrated, and lots of historical moments and events are recontextualized through Asian American perspectives. As a way to counteract the lack of historical narratives from Asian American standpoints, this book works to provide a solid and comprehensive resource for anyone looking to learn about Asian American history.
Is It Any Good?
This book is a necessary and incredibly informative presentation of Asian American history. While more academic histories of Asian America have been noteworthy, Made in Asian America: A History for Young People is the first that's particularly written for a younger audience. But of course, adults too can enjoy and benefit from this text, as most of its information is not typically taught in schools.
Texts like Made in America are an important corrective but also important for what it represents, which is a resource, an example, and a testament to Asian Americans growing up as racial "minorities" that there is a history (in the first place) and that this history includes an incredible depth of diversity and variety that's inspiring, painful, fascinating, and deeply meaningful. The book contextualizes the "silencing" of Asian American histories, narratives, and experiences within institutionalized racism that demands that only a particular "kind" of person can be "American," but then Lee and Soontornvat smartly personalize these histories. Focusing on individual people—Patsy Mink, Daniel Inouye, Deann Borshay, Suni Lee, and many more—and their extended families, colleagues, and communities, means readers feel connected and invested in the history they are reading about, the American history that we are all inheriting. A great read and resource for all young people.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence and oppression in history books. How does Made in America: A History for Young People talk about the kinds of violence Asian Americans had to endure, navigate, and overcome throughout American history, and still today? How can violence be nonphysical? What kinds of violence are nonphysical?
Which people show integrity, courage, humility, perseverance, teamwork, and communication in this book? And how do they show these traits and values? How can you attempt to reflect these traits in your own life?
The book mentions the dangers of "history repeating itself." What does this mean? What are some examples of this?
What might be the consequences of never telling this kind of history? Why might it be important for all perspectives, histories, and stories to be told?
After learning about Asian American history, what do you think are the most important moments? Who are your favorite figures in Asian American history?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Genre : History
- Topics : Activism , History
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Humility , Integrity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Quill Tree Books
- Publication date : April 30, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 14
- Number of pages : 320
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate