Powerful Stories of Asian Immigrant Families

Last updated: March 25, 2026

Families immigrate to another country for a variety of reasons—to further education or job opportunities, find safer living conditions, reconnect with family, or for curiosity, wanderlust, and other reasons. But one thing is for sure: Immigration is vital to fostering a diverse, vibrant, and resilient society. Here in the United States, Asian immigrants have been a crucial part of our history, bringing the culture, traditions, and delicacies of home while starting new businesses, building our infrastructure, influencing our art, and so much more. The books, movies, and TV shows on this list honor the experiences of Asian American immigrants and others across the Asian diaspora, including the perspectives of first- and second-generation families. These stories are a great way for families of Asian heritage to connect with their legacy, for kids from immigrant families to see themselves reflected in the media, and for kids to build empathy and understanding of experiences different than their own. Once you're done here, check out our other lists that highlight the heritage and culture, heroes and competitors, and the bravery and resilience of Asian peoples.

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Beautifully Me Poster Image
BOOK

Beautifully Me

age 4+

Family remembers what beauty really is in kind, joyful tale.

I Am Golden Poster Image
BOOK

I Am Golden

age 4+

Girl learns to love being Chinese American in joyful tale.

Navigating Night book cover: Against a blue background, a girl and her father look out the front window of their car and drive into the night
BOOK

Navigating Night

age 4+

Chinese take-out delivery makes for a tender tale.

Asian boy reading book on "Gibberish" book cover
BOOK

Gibberish

age 5+

Fun look at an immigrant's experience of a new language.

Yasmin in Charge Poster Image
BOOK

Yasmin in Charge

age 5+

Problem-solving girl shares her culture in sweet stories.

A Different Pond Poster Image
BOOK

A Different Pond

age 6+

Exquisitely tender family story of Vietnamese refugees.

I Am An American book cover: Red, white, and blue cover shows an illustration of Wong Kim Ark in a black Chinese-style shirt looking directly ahead
BOOK

I Am an American: The Wong Kim Ark Story

age 6+

Inspiring bio of man who helped define U.S. citizenship.

Mindy Kim Series Poster Image
BOOK

Mindy Kim Series

age 6+

Warm series about Korean American girl's life in new town.

Ruby Lu Series Poster Image
BOOK

Ruby Lu Series

age 7+

Spirited Ruby faces changing family, friends in fun series.

Amina's Voice, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Amina's Voice, Book 1

age 8+

Beautiful tale of Pakistani American middle-schooler.

An American Girl Story -- Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance Poster Image
TV

An American Girl Story -- Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance

age 8+

Chinese-American tween embraces heritage in sweet story.

Boy, Everywhere Poster Image
BOOK

Boy, Everywhere

age 8+

Syrian boy flees home, endures as a refugee.

Escape from Aleppo Poster Image
BOOK

Escape from Aleppo

age 8+

Gripping, moving tale of Syrian teen fleeing war-torn city.

In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson Poster Image
BOOK

In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson

age 8+

Funny tale of Chinese girl adapting to 1947 Brooklyn life.

Measuring Up Poster Image
BOOK

Measuring Up

age 8+

Taiwanese girl drives fast-paced, tasty cooking drama.

Turtle swimming underwater in the reeds
BOOK

The Turtle of Michigan

age 8+

Affirming, gentle story about boy's move from Oman to U.S.

We Who Produce Pearls book cover: Asian American women colorfully illustrated around title with flowers, dragon, and sky
BOOK

We Who Produce Pearls: An Anthem for Asian America

age 8+

Beautiful, inspiring picture book promotes Asian America.

Blackbird Fly Poster Image
BOOK

Blackbird Fly

age 9+

Super relatable heroine, lots of middle school drama.

Flying Over Water Poster Image
BOOK

Flying Over Water

age 9+

Refugee friendship tale has strong tolerance, faith message.

Front Desk, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Front Desk, Book 1

age 9+

Immigrant kid tackles racism, bullying in powerful tale.

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