Embedded Files
Asian American/ Pacific Islander
List of People to choose from.
Recommend to COPY & PASTE the person's name from the list into the website search to be 100% sure the spelling is exactly right.
WRITE DOWN the sources you use in your note catcher. At least "Article Title" and Website Name.
Example: "Yo-yo Ma" Encyclopedia Britannica.
Each of these websites will have one solid biography resource. When you have taken all the notes from your first source, come back to this page to find a second source.
Encyclopedia Britannica Middle School Edition
EB has good, not-too-long articles on many of these people. EB will read-aloud, translate, and auto-cite.
Especially this Asian Americans At A Glance Guide is very helpful!
On longer biographies, use the "jump to" links to pick and choose which sections to read.
The New York Times article archive
There are LOTS of articles about these prominent figures in the NYT archive.
You might need to narrow your search with a 'Publication Date' filter.
Use the "GET LINK" button or "SEND TO" email/drive to save the article before you close the window. This is the best way to find it again! (copying the go.gale url will not work and neither will a chrome bookmark)
Last resort if you are truly finding nothing is the sledgehammer of PowerSearch. Ask Ms Redding for support using PowerSearch because it can give an overwhelming amount of options. 🤯
Sora has lots of biographies. Search the full name of your person for best results.
Look for the "Earn the Biography badge" sticker on the Book information page.
Look for series like "Who is...?" (living people) and "Who was...?" (dead people) and the Ordinary People Change the World
Asian Americans in People's History of the United States
Helpful short list with brief bio of historical figures (no living people)
Library of Congress - search only the name and get ready to swim and skim through some results to find a good one.
Look for 'blogs' or 'shares their story' tagged results for information. Also a great place to find photos for your slideshow.
Starter Sources for Select Figures
Starter Sources for Select Figures
Tammy Duckworth A United States senator and veteran
Anna May Wong The first Chinese-American movie star (Another great resource from the Library of Congress)
George Takei An actor who was imprisoned in a Japanese internment camp as a child
Cecilia Chung An activist for the transgender community and those living with HIV/AIDS
Kalpana Chawla The first woman of Indian heritage to go into space
Yuri Kochiyama A civil rights activist
Bruce Lee A martial arts expert and movie star
Philip Vera Cruz An activist for labor rights
Sammy Lee An Olympic gold medalist in diving
Duke Kahanamoku An Olympic gold medalist in swimming who helped popularize surfing
Other strategies:
Google your public figure's name to look for their personal website (especially for authors and politicians) Example: Elizabeth Acevedo personal website The website should have an 'About' or 'Meet ____' section with solid information. These websites are maintained by person themselves or by one of their employees.
More more resources Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) LibGuide
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