2nd-3rd Grade

The Berkeley Unified School District stands with the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community. This reading list promotes books published in recent years that are devoted to uplifting Asian-American and Pacific Islander history, celebrating heritage, affirming identity, and promoting antiracism. Sharing these books is one part of our effort to develop anti-racist consciousness with and for our youth and ensure they know they are not alone.

Awesome Orange Birthday (Party Diaries #1)by Mitali Banerjee Ruths
Genre: Fiction
Format: Chapter Book
Published: 2023
Finding Papaby Angela Pham Krans
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Published: 2023
Gigi and Ojiji: What's in a Name?by Melissa Iwai
Genre: Fiction
Format: Reader
Published: 2023
Holding Onby Sophia N. Lee
Genre: Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Published: 2022
I Am Goldenby Eva Chen
Genre: Affirmations & Empowerment 
Format: Picture Book
Audiobook Available
Published: 2022
Marya Khan and the Incredible Henna Partyby Saadia Faruqi
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book
Published: 2022
Maybe Maybe Marisol Raineyby Erin Entrada Kelly
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book
Audiobook Available
Published: 2023
Moon's Ramadanby Natasha Khan Kazi
Genre: Holiday Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Published: 2023
Patsy Mink (She Persisted)by Tae Keller
Genre: Biography
Format: Chapter Book
Published: 2022
Punky Alohaby Shar Tuiasoa
Genre: Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Published: 2022
Summer is for Cousinsby Rajani LaRocca
Genre: Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Published: 2023
Swimming into Troubleby Angela Ahn
Genre: Sports Fiction
Format: Chapter Book
Published: 2024
This is Not My Homeby Eugenia Yoh and Vivienne Chang
Genre: Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Published: 2023
Tricky Chopsticksby Sylvia Chen
Genre: Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Published: 2024
The Truth About Dragonsby Julie Leung
Genre: Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Published: 2023
Yes We Will: Asian Americans Who Shaped Our Countryby Kelly Yang
Genre: Collective Biography
Format: Picture Book
Audiobook available
Published: 2022

How do I read these books?

Many of these books are available through Berkeley school libraries as a physical and/or ebook. For more information about any of these books, or to check one of them out, ask your school librarian.

For more information and instructions on accessing ebooks and audiobooks, visit our Digital Books page.

At a time when so many small businesses are struggling to keep their doors open, we also encourage folks to support our local bookstores: 

Ashay by the Bay, Bandung Books, Eastwind Books, Marcus Books, Moe’s Books, Mr. Mopps, Books Inc., Pegasus Books and Mrs. Dalloways.