by Carol
Literature is a great way for young people to meet someone from a different culture and enter into an unfamiliar place. In this issue, we highlight stories which reflect the diversity of Asian American customs and history. We hope that as you read these books your students will build bridges of empathy and understanding. As our expert Kathleen Burkinshawt says, books remind us that the "enemy" in any war is often not so different from ourselves.
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Featured Author:
Kathleen Burkinshaw
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Since my journey to write The Last Cherry Blossom (TLCB) began with speaking to students about my mother’s experience in Hiroshima, it becomes a full circle moment when teachers/librarians share how they are using TLCB in the classroom. When TLCB was published nine years ago, my hope had been not only to show the horror resulting from using the atomic bomb, but also to illuminate a lesser-known side-- the Japanese citizens in Hiroshima. I wanted to introduce the Japanese culture and connect readers to the people under those infamous mushroom clouds.
I'm delighted each time I’m invited to speak to students who read TLCB in their classes (some schools have used it every year!). I have had classes that dedicated time to learn more about life in Japan, some classes have drawn pictures of what they imagine the characters in my book look like, some have written journals of the characters. This year a class said they took note of the various foods I mention in the book and are going to make them. I wish I lived closer so I could do a taste-test!
I’m excited to say that the schools in Japan used the Japanese translation of TLCB in their 2023 Central Japan Designated Book for Reader Impression Contest. It was very emotional to see the students’ illustrations of what my mother’s story meant to them.
I’m humbled and teary-eyed when teachers share their students’ projects. The students’ compassion for and interest in my mother’s story truly touches my heart. I hope that what I wrote about my mother will linger in their hearts for the rest of their lives. If so, then I will have honored my mom for entrusting me with her memories and allowing me to share her story.
 Kathleen Burkinshaw is an award-winning Japanese American author and daughter of an atomic bomb survivor living in Charlotte. She’s presented to middle and high schools worldwide for over 12 years and formerly served on the Advisory Council at International Center for Multigenerational Legacies of Trauma & Steering Committee for Global Alliance Sustainable Peace & Prosperity for All, Hiroshima Japan. THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM (2016, English) is now a UN Ed Resource for Teachers/Students. It was translated into Japanese in 2022. Kathleen most recently spoke at 2025 United Nations Treaty Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons MSP3 side event with her daughter.
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Michelle Simpson is a Canadian illustrator who grew up in the forests of Niagara Falls, is inspired by nature and folktales. She uses digital and traditional media in her work. A Sheridan College graduate, Michelle is a freelancer who creates artwork for children's books and TV. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and spending time with her cats.
Michelle is the illustrator of a book in our giveaway: Mamta's Lovely Mustache!
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One Student Talks About Three Books
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Nada Homna
Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean is a novel about 16-year-old Izumi who lives with her single mother in California. Izumi struggles to fit into American society and lives a typical life of an Asian teenager in Mount Shasta, California with her 3 best friends. After discovering her father is the crown prince of Japan, Izumi is swept off to a royal life in a new country. In Japan, Izumi finds her father’s side of the family has much higher standards and rules than America’s casual setting. She makes new friends, but it is not without challenges along the way. Izumi’s has an inspiring journey of finding her place in both halves of her life.
We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang. After three aliens crash their “car”, they ask for the help of local humans Mr. and Mrs. Li to help fix it. Because they are kind humans, they offer the otherworldly travelers a place to spend the night and help them find parts for their ship. Whilst members of the human community come together to fix the alien’s ship, they experience human compassion and joy. In this picture book, I think Fang did a wonderful job expressing the everyday kindness people show.
Front Desk by Kelly Yang follows 10-year-old Mia and her family’s journey running a motel in America and dealing with the challenges that come with the choice to move to America. Mia gets teased at school but continues to stay positive and try to improve the lives of her friends. Under the management of the cruel Mr. Tao, the motel has unfair changes and is a lot of work to run, but Mia and her parents strive to help the customers and each other. I think Mia’s bubbly personality and desire to change things for the better truly make Front Desk a good read.
Nada Homna is a high school student who lives with her family in Pennsylvania.
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Choose a book about Asian Americans and adapt one or more of these activities to your students' grade level.
- Look on a map for the countries that the character or his family came from. Read about the country's history and culture. What did you learn that concours with or amplifies the book?
- Discuss or write about how the book reflects the Asian American experience. Does it convey the character's experience in a complex and nuanced way?
- Create a drawing or collage that illustrates the most impactful scene from the book.
- Conduct a mock “book talk” with the author and make a video of it to share.
- Have students explore Asian American art by visiting online galleries and museums in your local area. Think broadly about different types of art including photography, painting, sculpture, architecture, drawing, craft/folk art as well as “street art” including graffiti and murals. Are there themes in the book that are also represented in art?
Source: https://www.adl.org/sites/default/files/documents/2025-02/9%20Ideas%20for%20Teaching%20Asian%20American%20Pacific%20Islander%20Heritage%20Month-0225.pdf
These projects were created by middle school students
after reading The Last Cherry Blossom.
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We love to hear from our readers!
You can contact us through the newsletter or individually at the following social media platforms.
We're also both available for school visits.
Rebecca W Wheeler
Carol Baldwin
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Does a Teen Reviewer
Live in Your House or
Attend Your School?
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We're always looking for teen or tween reviewers. If you know someone who might be interested in reading and writing a short synopsis of three books, please email us.
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Thank you to Kathleen Burkinshaw for being our expert and for giving away The Last Cherry Blossom.
Thank you to Michelle Simpson and Advocate Art for the illustration.
Thank you to Puja Suri for a copy of Mamta's Lovely Mustache.
Thank you to Sleeping Bear Press for a copy of A Kurta to Remember.
Thank you to Sleeping Bear Press for a copy of Wild Greens, Beautiful Girl.
Thank you to Nancy Sutin for proofreading.
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Congratulations to the January book winners.
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Helen Pettiford won EVERYDAY SUPER HEROES.
Cathy Mealey won WOOD WIRE WINGS.
Eric Prenshaw won BLAST OFF.
Tonnye Fletcher won LEAF DETECTIVE.
Gail Hurlburt won FABULOUS FANNIE FARMER.
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PLEASE SHARE
TALKING STORY
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If you share TALKING STORY either on social media or via email, we will enter your name in our giveaway. Please complete this google form by May 5, indicate your book preference and we will add your name to the hat!
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Please share our books with your librarians!
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Did you know there is a TALKING STORY Facebook Group? We would love for you to participate and find out what other writers, educators, and librarians are saying.
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Complete this google form and we'll enter your name to win one of the four books below.
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BONUS!
If you forward Talking Story to a friend or share the newsletter now, we will give you an extra chance to win a book. Please let Carol know what you do. |
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by Rebecca
After 15 years Carol and I saw each other in-person, and not over a Zoom screen! We presented a talk entitled "A Matter of Perspective: Reading Fiction Cultivates Flexible Thinking Skills" at the NC Reading Conference in March.
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BOOKS FOR YOUNGER READERS
by Julie Leung
by Namita Moolani Mehra
by Melissa Iwai
by Cheryl Kim
by Joanna Ho
****
BOOKS FOR MIDDLE GRADES and OLDER READERS
by Traci Chee
by Gene Luen Yang
by Linda Sue Park
by
Mitali Perkins |
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