Graphic novel ‘Fighting to Belong!’ to teach important but overlooked AANHPI history

January 30, 2024

NextShark is excited to share the release of Fighting to Belong!, Third State Books’ first publication in partnership with The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), which aims to teach kids of all backgrounds important events in AANHPI history.

Fighting to Belong! Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History from the 1700s Through the 1800s is written by Amy Chu, a renowned comic-book writer who has written for Marvel, DC, and Dark Horse and was the first woman to write for The Green Hornet as well as the first Poison Ivy series, and Alexander Chang; and illustrated by Louie Chin. The book is co-published by TAAF and Leading Asian Americans to Unite for Change (LAAUNCH), with an activity guide produced by the Asian American Education Project.

Set to be released on February 6, Volume One (of three) of this groundbreaking graphic-novel series follows middle school students and their guide Kenji as they embark on a journey through history, beginning with the arrival of the “Manilamen” in Louisiana in the 1700s, the first Asians to settle permanently in relatively large numbers in the United States. The stories serve as an accessible and fun read for children ages 8-14 to educate them about often overlooked AANHPI contributions and experiences. Volume One is available for pre-order, while Volumes Two and Three and will have release dates of September 2024 and January 2025, respectively.

NextShark is a proud partner of Third State Books, the first and only general-interest publisher in North America dedicated exclusively to AANHPI writers and narratives, as we push the mission to champion the underrepresented voices in literature from our communities. The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) serves the 24 million AANHPIs across the country to fight hate and build a safer, more inclusive future for all.

In a society where over 70% of Americans know very little about AANHPI history, give our younger generation the gift of fun and important stories of our community’s accomplishments and legacies and pre-order Fighting to Belong! on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Bookshop now!

Stay tuned about other exciting and upcoming releases or learn more about TSB by visiting their website and following them on Instagram.

This post was created in partnership with NextShark and Third State Books.

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