Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Feature Asian Main Characters

Top Ten Tuesdays is a feature created by the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish. If you want to share your own lists in the future, the prompts can be found on their page! You can also find my previous lists by searching the label "top ten tuesday" 😊

I originally wanted this post to be a list of all the books I've read that feature Asian main characters, but I'm sad to say I haven't read many. There are plenty that include an Asian classmate or villain—but the story wasn't about them, and they were gone in a couple of pages. Here are four I've actually read and six I am committing to read one day.

READ + LOVED

Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom by Booki Vivat
Frazzled follows Abbie Wu, who is freaking out about starting middle school. It's such a fun read, especially with all the doodles. (This book reminds me a little of Amelia's Notebook by Marissa Moss!) When I was in elementary and middle school, cute illustrations in a book meant I automatically checked it out from the library. Yes, this is targeted to younger readers, but I really think everyone of any age will enjoy Frazzled.

Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee
A great read about a Chinese-American girl who knows she's treated differently because of her ethnicity and status, but doesn't let it affect who and where she wants to be. I especially loved the family elements (as it is a big part of Chinese culture) and the simplicity of it all despite the subject matter being heavy. I wrote a small review on Outrun the Moon last year, if you want to read more on my thoughts.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
I'm not 100% sure about the main character's background, but I do know that she is at least half-Asian. It's been quite some time since I've read Cinder, but I can tell you it is the beginning of a really fun series. As the title suggests, Meyer uses Cinderella elements to tell her story—but in this version, Cinder(ella) is part-cyborg!

Noteworthy by Riley Redgate
THIS BOOK IS ABOUT A CAPPELLA—NEED I SAY MORE?! (If yes, here are some other things this book includes: accurate portrayal of Asian parents, a soundtrack, so many laughable moments, and a quirky + fun gang of friends.)

BOOKS I HOPE TO READ SOON

Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee

Warcross by Marie Lu

The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo

🖤🖤🖤

Other books that feature Asian main characters: Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali, Something in Between by Melissa de la Cruz, Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee, A Line in the Dark by Malinda Lo, Want by Cindy Pon, The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee

Please recommend your favorites below, I know I've missed a ton!