Review Detail

In Auntie Kristina’s Guide to Asian American Activism, various topics are discussed, such as defining Asian American, the history of the community, allyship, and more. These topics are discussed through sharing the experiences of Auntie Heroes and Young Rebels. Interspersed through each chapter are various activism strategies for all kinds of learners; there are ones that involve art, math, statistics, and more. The book also shares how readers can practice love and self-care for themselves and their community.

What I Liked: While this book is intentionally created for Asian Americans, there’s so much that the rest of us can learn by reading this book. Through reading this book, you will learn about the history of Asian Americans and why certain things, like the model minority myth, are harmful to them and others. This book also highlights moments in history in which Asian Americans have been erased, and what current activists are doing to ensure that erasure doesn’t remain.

The various pages and sections in this book are vibrant and colorful; they include graphs, pictures, etc., to engage the reader and to connect with various ways of learning. The various illustrations and styles in this book make for an engaging read, and they also allow for the book to be broken down into shorter sections. This is a book in which you can read one section, such as the Auntie Hero, Young Rebel, or one of the activities, and pause to reflect on what you have just learned. The structure of this book lends itself well to learning and reflection.

Final Verdict: Auntie Kristina’s Guide to Asian American Activism is a great start for young Asian American children who are learning about themselves and want to begin their activist journey. This book is perfect for those who are new to activist spaces and who want to learn more about being an ally to Asian Americans, or for Asian Americans who want to learn more about their own culture and history.