MAYA LIN – ONE OF “SHE PERSISTED” BOOK SERIES

Maya Lin (林樱) is the artist-architect of the iconic Vietnam Veterans Memorial. She was a twenty-one year old Chinese American college student when her design #1026 was picked among more than a thousand entries for the Memorial. Everyone was shocked when they found out that the creator of the special but powerful design is a young Chinese American. Many people started against the design, however, Maya Lin persisted with her idea and she believed that “Once it was up, they would get it.” And she was right.
She was puzzled with her ethnicity and roles – Asian, American, artist, architect, she persists that she is all of them. She is Maya Lin! Her works heal people and inspire American artists. She is the winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

SHINING STAR – THE ANNA MAY WONG STORY

From the laundry store to Hollywood, Anna May Wang was a courageous advocate who championed increased representation and more multi-dimensional roles for Asian American actors. She was the second generation of Chinese immigrants. She loved acting and was so good at it, but she couldn’t play the leading roles because of her race. Many of her characters portrayed Chinese women in a negative light and promoted stereotypes – from the scared and submissive “China doll” to the evil and domineering “dragon lady”. She always gave her best performance and hoped one day to paly a dignified leading role.
Her contributions to improving Asian images on-screen are acknowledged in recent years. Her legacy bridged a gap between both worlds and helped open doors for today’s generation of actors.
She is the first Asian American to appear on US Currency.

Playing at the Border – A Story of Yo-Yo Ma

Yo-Yo Ma（马友友）is a world-famous musician who has also collaborated with artists beyond the musical world. He is a leader of positive change in the world. He is the United Nations Messenger of Peace and winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The lyrical writing of the book and the vibrant art of the pictures weave together to tell an inspiring story of Yo-Yo Ma, who challenges conventions, expectations, and beliefs in order to build bridges that unite communities, cultures, and people.

Queen of Physics – How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom

At the time Wu Chien Shiung(吴健雄) grew up, girls typically did not attend school. Wu Chien Shiung attended the school all the way to the college where she found her passion in physics. She has to overcome many obstacles and fight prejudice against women and Asians to get jobs. Her experimental works approved theories which help other Physics win Nobel Prizes. Newsweek declared her the “Queen of Physics”. She is the first Chinese woman to appear on a US Stamp.

Yes We Will: Asian Americans Who Shaped This Country

“From creating beautiful music like Yo-Yo Ma to flying to outer space like Franklin Chang-Díaz; from standing up to injustice like Fred Korematsu to becoming the first Asian American, Black and female vice president of the United States like Kamala Harris, this book illuminates the power of Asian Americans all over the country, in all sorts of fields.
 
Each spread is illustrated by a different renowned Asian American or Asian artist. Alongside the poetic main text, Yes We Will includes one-line biographies of the person or historical moment featured on the page, with extended biographies at the end. Readers of different ages and needs can use the book in different ways, from classroom discussions to bedtime readalouds and more.
 
Yes We Will answers the question, can we accomplish whatever we dream? With love, courage, determination, and lots of imagination, we can—and we will! “

— Book introduction from amazon.com