Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Read on for upcoming programs, book discussions, and recommendations – we hope to see you at the library to learn more about Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage with us!

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Monday Morning Matinee

Mon. May 9, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Libbie Mill Library

Joy Luck Club (1993, R, 139 min.): Wayne Wang's Adaptation of Amy Tan's bestseller about four immigrant Chinese women and their American-born daughters. The story begins in San Francisco, where three of the women have gathered to bid farewell to their deceased friend's daughter, who's departing for China to meet her long-lost half-sisters. This award winner stars: Tamlyn Tomita, Kieu Chinh, Tsai Chin, France Nuyen, and Lisa Lu.

STEM Investigation: US Pacific Islands

Thur. May 12, 7:00-8:00 PM at Twin Hickory Library

Learn about the dramatic geological forces shaping the geography of the US Pacific Islands with University of Richmond Professor, David E. Kitchen, who will explain the effects of plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunami on the islands, and how the people who live in this region cope with ongoing threats from these forces of nature.

Hawaiian Dance with Halau Kahealani

Sat. May 14, 2:00-2:30 PM at Tuckahoe Library

Before the advent of written language in Hawaii, dance movements and chants were used to record and communicate the history, events, customs, and phenomenon of the islands. Join us in welcoming Halau Kahealani from Virginia Beach, VA, for a performance of this centuries-old dance form that will connect audiences with traditional Hawaiian culture in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Ukulele for Beginners

Mon. May 23, 6:30-8:00 PM at Glen Allen Library

Tues. May 24, 6:30-8:00 PM at Varina Area Library

Designed for beginners with an interest in learning to play ukulele, one of the most recognizable art forms of Hawaii. Participants will learn the basics of proper handling and playing chords on this fun and portable instrument. Ukuleles and music instruction will be provided during the program. Best for adults and mature teens.

Cook & Book: Easy Filipino Food THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED, 5/6/2022 

Mon. May 23, 7:00-8:30 PM at Varina Area Library

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by sampling some delicious Filipino food.  Vanessa Lorenzo from AmusingMaria will share some easy to prepare dishes that exemplify this amazing cuisine.

BOOK DISCUSSIONS

Fiction and Food Book Discussion: Hawaiian Style

Mon. May 9, 7:00-8:30 PM at Varina Area Library

Fiction selection: Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Armstrong Washburn.

Kick off Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with an epic family saga that explores the tensions found between traditional Hawaiian culture and modern day reality, human connection and loss, and exile and coming home. As a part of our book discussion, we will share food experiences, recipes, cookbook titles in the library collection, and sample a few favorite local Hawaiian dishes featured in the novel. Books for this discussion may be picked up at the Adult Services Desk of the Varina Area Library.

Teen Comics Club

Tues. May 17, 7:00-8:00 PM at Glen Allen Library

Graphic Novel selection: The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

For Ages 13-17. In The Magic Fish, Tien and his mother may come from different cultures—she’s an immigrant from Vietnam still struggling with English; he’s been raised in America—but through the fairy tales he checks out from the local library, those differences are erased.

RECOMMENDED TITLES

KIDS

• A Circle of Elephants by Eric Dinerstein
• Asian Kites: From the Thai Cobra to the Japanese Octopus by Wayne Hosking
• Front Desk by Kelly Yang
• Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom by Sangu Mandanna
• My Fate According to the Butterfly by Gail Villanueva
• Samira Surfs by Rukhsanna Guidroz
• Sumo Joe by Mia Wenjen
• Super Simple Sumi-e: Easy Asian Brush Painting for All Ages by Yvonne Palka
• The Twelve by Cindy Lin
• When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

EASY (Picture Books)

• A Different Pond by Bao Phi
• Eyes that Speak to the Stars by Joanna Ho
• Grandmother School by Rina Singh
• One, Two, Three Dim Sum by Rich Lo
• The Star Festival by Moni Ritchie Hadley 

TEENS

• Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
• Fierce as the Wind by Tara Wilson Redd
• The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
• Ikigai for Teens: Finding Your Reason for Being by Hector Garcia
• The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan
• Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay
• The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang
• Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala
• Want by Cindy Pon
• The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf

ADULTS

• Ali Wong: Dear Girls by Ali Wong
• Aloha Rodeo: Three Hawaiian Cowboys, the World’s Greatest Rodeo, and a Hidden History of the American West by David Wolman and Julian Smith
• The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
• Folklorn by Angela Mi Young Hur
• If They Come For Us by Fatimah Asghar
• Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu
• Never Have I Ever by Isabel Yap
• The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal
• To Asia, With Love: Everyday Asian Recipes and Stories from the Heart by Hetty McKinnon

LOCAL RESOURCES

Want to learn more? Connect with local Asian American organizations to explore resources in your community!

• Asian Americans Impacting Virginia
• Asian American Society of Central Virginia
• Asian & Latino Solidarity Alliance of Central Virginia
• Filipino American Association of Central Virginia
• India Association of Virginia
• The Richmond Vietnamese Association
• Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce