Today, we’re continuing our celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month by shouting out books with girl power! Whether they’re family stories of courage through adversity or modern tales of school and friendship drama, these female protagonists tackle their challenges with grit, wit, and pride in themselves and their identities.

Here are a few recent middle grade and chapter books starring AANHPI female protagonists that we think your young readers will love! Do you have any to add?

Finally Heard by Kelly Yang

Ruby Lu, Star of the Show by Lenore Look, illus. by Stef Choi

Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun by Hena Khan, illus. by Wastana Haikal

Geraldine Pu and Her Lunch Box, Too! by Maggie P. Chang

A Year Without Home by V.T. Bidania

The Cobra’s Song by Supriya Kelkar

Huge thanks to Atheneum BFYR, Salaam Reads, SimonKIDS, Nancy Paulsen Books, and Penguin Young Readers for copies of these books!